This story takes a slow meander through the lives of several people connected to the art scene in The Hague and follows a thread connecting them all. The gorgeous kismet pulled at my heartstrings.
About the Book
‘Three miles away at Scheveningen the grey beach was bleak, unvisited, the daylight fading. It was getting colder. Why linger? There was nothing out there but the cold North Sea stroking the land. In the town there would be bustle, conversation, connections, chances not to be alone.’
Stefan owns a moderately successful art gallery in The Hague, passing his days in a comfortable but spiritless rut.
Freelance journalist Anna has quit her corporate job in search of something more fulfilling.
Art school student Nikki works part-time at Stefan’s gallery and hopes for a breakthrough exhibition; her student friends Petra and Suzanna have the same hope, but things are not going their way.
Established local artist Matthijs reaches a turning point in his fifties.
Second chances come and go, but will they be taken?
David Kintore’s beguiling debut novel brings together a cast of characters navigating their way through the art world – breaking in, struggling, thriving, drifting.
My Thoughts
While I’ve never been to the Netherlands, I understand it to be a slower-paced culture – similar to New Orleans – and the pace of the book aligned with that perfectly. In a way, the pace of the book added to the atmosphere of the story.
Meeting all of the characters, following the threads of interconnectedness, and watching how everything worked out created a beautiful story that followed nearly the full spectrum of human emotions. These types of stories that explore the human experience are a really wonderful thing to read. I appreciated the character development and diversity that the author presented.
There were times when the dialogue felt a little stilted/awkward. Perhaps another read-through in the future could help. Overall, the story was really interesting, and I really enjoyed learning about and seeing other cultures. I’m extra jealous of the visit to the Van Gogh museum since he’s my favorite painter.
When I picked this book out, the description and the title made me think this was a second-chance romance novel. While there definitely is a little bit of that, it is by no-means the point of the novel. It is much more about the art scene and exploring second chances in all areas of life. Some of these stories – which I don’t want to tell you because of spoilers, were incredibly special.
I”‘m so grateful to have been included on this tour by the author and LBT.
Question of the Day
Have you ever been to an art gallery? Do you own any art?
Answer of the Day
I have been to an art gallery. I was a journalist, like one of the characters in this book, so I had to go to lots of interesting places for my job. But like one of the characters mentioned in the book, I’ve never really felt comfortable going on my own. Plenty of museums, but not galleries. Maybe I’ll feel a little more comfortable now. I have quite a few prints of famous art, such as my favorite painting, “Starry Night” by Van Gogh. But I have even more art by a certain friend of mine who is an amateur photographer.
Who’s It For?
This is a really interesting read. It is a bit of a meandering, wandering trip through the Netherlands, Japan, and the art world of both. If you’re interested in the art world, this offers an interesting look into the Dutch art experience. It is also an interesting study of the human experience and offers a look at how it is similar for all in so many ways. While romance is by no means the main part of the story, it does play a big role.
Content Warnings: Adult Situations, Adult Language, Controlling Partner, Alcohol Use, This is not meant to serve as a complete list of subjects that individuals may find potentially triggering.
About the Author
David Kintore was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and grew up in York, England. He is the author of the non-fiction series of ‘Silver Screen Cities’ books, celebrating cinema-going in London, Tokyo, Amsterdam, Brussels, and Lisbon. His debut novel, ‘Second Chance in The Hague’, is out now.
Links
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Second-Chance-Hague-David-Kintore/dp/1068723505
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Second-Chance-Hague-David-Kintore/dp/1068723505
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/218310662-second-chance-in-the-hague
Author’s Website: https://www.silverscreencities.com/
Published by Amorina Carlton. Award-winning American author, Amorina Carlton, is currently working on her first novel. You can find more about her published work and works in progress on the home page. She also serves as the PR/Marketing Lead for Ravens and Roses Publishing, and reviews books, mostly by other indie authors, here and on Bookstagram.