AS ABOVE, SO BELOW. A Novel of Peter Bruegel [Paperback]

Rudy Rucker (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Tor; First Edition edition (2002)
• ASIN: B0014JJC3M
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars M. C. Eschers inspiration......, December 31, 2006

By 

Red Rock Bookworm (St. George Utah) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: As Above, So Below : A Novel of Peter Bruegel (Paperback)

Rudy Rucker has managed to give some insight into the thought processes that created the wonderful works of this 16th century Flemish painter as well as exposing the reader to the hardships endured by the residents of the "low countries" during the merciless Spanish control of the Netherlands.

Brugels early works give a birds-eye perspective of the subject matter as well as depicting religious events as if they were happening in the 16th century. It is my belief that M.C. Escher as well as Salvador Dali both capitalized on Brugels early vision.(See Escher's Tower of Babel as well as Ascending & Descending and several of Dali's works appear to have been inspired by Brugel's "Fall of the Rebel Angels".) Both of these men owe a large debt of gratitude to Brugel for his inspiration.

Although this book is "historical fiction", the author has done such an exemplary job of providing a discerning and perceptive insight into Brugels life and times, it almost reads like an autobiograpy.

If you enjoy history, art, and great storytelling this book is definitely for you! 4 1/2 stars!!!!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Look deeper!, January 4, 2003

By 

Julie Barreto (Kamuela, HI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: As Above, So Below: A Novel of Peter Bruegel (Hardcover)

I picked this up blind from the new book bin at the Kailua-Kona public library, and boy, I'm glad I did. I've always enjoyed Bruegel, but this novel really makes you look at each picture with new eyes. Thank goodness I had an art book (Phaidon) of Bruegel at home with big color plates, which really complemented the text of this book. I love the feeling of delving into the past, but with good friends, which is how I think of Bruegel now that I've read this book.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Painless History, February 21, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: As Above, So Below: A Novel of Peter Bruegel (Hardcover)

Not only is this book well-researched and documented but it is an easy read. The times of Europe in the l6th century are colorfully presented and the characterizations are believable. It's easy to get caught up in the intrigues. I'll now view Peter Bruegel's works in a new light. Well-worth a read!