I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Beautifully written. This is one of those stories that forces you to slow down and enjoy every single word. It is set in a time that I can only conceive through other people’s points of view. And yet it shocks me every time. It is both easier and harder in many ways, I think. The biggest parallel to todays time was the main characters reaction to the plague and people’s today reaction to Covid. I feel like this book consumed me. It was so beautifully unraveled and by the end I felt that way too. Reading about two queer artists from that time and the different things they had to go through has me feeling very glad I’m born in today’s time where people mostly mind their own business. But gosh…. Are we moving backward!? I felt immensely for these characters and the understanding that they were never safe. And they would never feel that way. And the penalty was incredibly severe had anyone come for them. Such a beautiful book with very heavy moments. Check your triggers for this one but I definitely see myself reading this again and again over time, if I get to receive the incredible gift of aging. This book got me. It will go down as a piece of history. Felt a little nod to the picture of Dorian Grey. Love it so much. What a special novel. I think if I were to read this in five years it would have an entirely different take away for me. And again five years after that.

This book is a beautifully woven tapestry that brings Gerta and Maria’s relationship to life with remarkable tenderness and depth. The writing is elegant and immersive, effortlessly drawing me into the golden age of Amsterdam. The historical detail was so vivid and atmospheric, it felt less like reading and more like stepping into another time.

What really stood out to me was how thoughtfully everything was crafted. The emotional nuances, the character development, the descriptions of art and daily life, it all felt intentional and meaningful. Gerta and Maria’s complex and intimate relationship is at the heart of the story, and it’s portrayed with such care.

The novel also explores powerful themes of ownership, autonomy, and identity in a way that felt both timely and timeless. The question of who controls a person’s image, body, or future echoed through every chapter, adding a layer of emotional and philosophical depth that I really appreciated.

This was a richly written, emotionally resonant novel that left a strong impression. I was completely engaged until the very last page, this will be highly recommended and I will be purchasing a copy as soon as it’s published.

This was a gorgeous historical fiction book about a painter and her servant. It is based on a real painter who taught her servant to paint but I LOVED the fictional twists the author put in this book. Maria and Gerta were fascinating characters. I looked up Maria’s paintings afterwards and they were exactly as I had imagined.

Set in the vibrant art scene of the Netherlands during the late 1600s, this story follows a determined young servant girl who rises from the lowest ranks to become an artist's apprentice. As she navigates this world, she adeptly transforms herself to meet the evolving expectations around her, all while passionately promoting her mistress, the woman she loves. Is the self-sacrifice truly worth it?

Once again, Victoria Redel has written an excellent, thought provoking book. "I Am You" is a well researched novel with attention to detail regarding art and history of 17th century Amsterdam. Her research on paint colors is impressive and immerses the reader into the painters' process. All the characters are well drawn out and the narrator is a multi-dimensional person, one who I liked very much.
While reading the book, I kept thinking about the best actors for each character. I do hope that there will be a film.
If you enjoyed, "The Girl With the Pearl Earring" and "Safekeep", you will love "I Am You".

Thank you NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When I first saw that cover I was completely mesmerized. And not only does it have amazing art, an interesting concept, and is super engaging. But it also deals with the topic of depression in a good way.

Who is this strange girl? And how is she connected to the black hole?
The story starts off very strong even with little character introduction, which isn’t needed since you get to know them more as the story continues, and a dynamic that you wouldn’t expect.
Each page gets more captivating as it goes on and makes it hard to put down, making you root for a couple that you’ve only known for a short amount of time.

I’ll definitely keep an eye out on future releases because I can’t wait to see how it all continues.

Although this was gorgeously written, the pacing moved a little too fast for me. I also just wasn't a fan of Maria's personality or how Gerta seemingly had no identity outside of her.

I Am You" by Victoria Redel is a thought-provoking novel exploring identity, family secrets, and the complexities of human relationships. The story follows a family's dark past and the impact of secrets on their lives. I could not put this book down and loved it.

A riveting love story that is also about so much more-ambition, art, talent, class, gender, social norms, and more. The writing was gorgeous and I was captivated by Gerta’s narration and the lush scene setting. As someone interested in the art of the Golden Age, it was especially fun to read about the artists of the time and get a glimpse of Amsterdam in the 1600s. Highly recommend!

Thank you very much to Zando Projects/SJP Lit and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

“I Am You” by Victoria Redel is a historical novel set in the 1600s within the male-dominated European art world. The story fictionalizes the lives of real artists Maria van Oosterwijk and her servant, Geertje Pieters Wyntges, also known as Gerta Pieters.

This queer novel explores a spectrum of themes. Gerta begins the story disguised as a male servant to the renowned artist Maria. Over time, she evolves into Maria's female apprentice, lover, and student. Their relationship is complex, sometimes symbiotic and at other times parasitic. It is a tale that delves into love, resentment, art, gender, politics, and class.

I highly recommend this engaging read. It was vivid and provided a lot of context to set the stage. Fans of the film "Portrait of a Lady on Fire" and those who enjoy the works of Sarah Waters are likely to appreciate it. Thank you to Zando, SJP Projects, and NetGalley for the advance reader copy.