The Map Colorist: A Novel [Paperback]

In 1660, Amsterdam is the trading and map-printing capital of the world. Anneke van Brug is one of the colorists paid to enhance black-and-white maps for a growing number of collectors. Her artistic talent brings her to the attention of the Blaeu printing house, and she begins to color for a rich merchant, Willem de Groot. But Anneke is not content to simply embellish the work of others; she longs to create maps of her own. Cartography, however, is the domain of men—so it is in secret that she borrows the notes her father made on a trip to Africa in 1642 and sets about designing a new map.

Anneke hopes to convince the charismatic de Groot to use his influence to persuade Blaeu to include her map in theAtlas Maior, which will be the largest and most expensive publication of the century. But family secrets, infidelity, and murder endanger her dream. Will her map withstand these threats, or will it be forever lost?Rebecca D’Harlingue has done graduate work in Spanish literature, worked as a hospital administrator, and taught English as a Second Language to adults from all over the world. She shares her love of story both with preschoolers at a Head Start program and with the members of the book club she has belonged to for decades. D’Harlingue lives in Oakland, California, with her husband, Arthur, where they are fortunate to frequently spend time with their children and grandchildren.2024 IPPY Awards Bronze Winner in Historical Fiction
2024 Independent Press Awards Distinguished Favorite in Historical Fiction
2024 Eric Hoffer Book Awards Winner in Historical Fiction
2023 Sarton Awards Shortlist in Historical Fiction
2023 Best Book Awards Finalist in Fiction: Literary
2023 Firebird Book Awards First Place Winner in Historical Fiction
2023 Firebird Book Awards First Place Winner in Literary Fiction
2023 Firebird Book Awards Third Place Winner in Fiction
2023 American Fiction Awards Finalist in Historical lc&