The New York Times bestselling novel by the author of Remarkable Creatures and The Last Runaway Translated into thirty-nine languages and made into an Oscar-nominated film, starring Scarlett Johanson and Colin Firth
Tracy Chevalier transports readers to a bygone time and place in this richly-imagined portrait of the young woman who inspired one of Vermeer’s most celebrated paintings.
… inspired one of Vermeer’s most celebrated paintings.
History and fiction merge seamlessly in this luminous novel about artistic vision and sensual awakening. Girl with a Pearl Earring tells the story of sixteen-year-old Griet, whose life is transformed by her brief encounter with genius . . . even as she herself is immortalized in canvas and oil.
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As a painter, I was captivated by this account of Vermeer’s career, and of the detailed accounts of life in the City where I spent my teenage years (and where the famous painting is on display!). Also, the details of painstakingly mixing pigments and oils to arrive at paint make for really interesting reading to anyone who now just squeezes paint out of a tube!
Sixteen year old Griet lives with her family in Delft in 1664. Due to the family’s economic situation, she is employed as a maid in painter Johannes Vermeer’s household. Griet is intelligent and perceptive. For me the painting fits this story of subtle love and loss.
Continuing on my quest to post reviews for my all-time favorites in Historical Fiction, I move to this lovely book. This is another of those premises that stand out. In Girl in Hyacinth Blue, the author follows the journey of a painting. In Girl With a Pearl Earring, Tracy Chevalier fictionalizes the life of the woman in a famous Vermeer, often called the Dutch Mona Lisa. I have to admit, that after reading this novel, I was inspired to fictionalize the life of the nurse in the iconic nurse-sailor kiss photo taken in Times Square on V-J Day, 1945. I came up with an idea because this book inspired me so.
Almost nothing was known about the young woman in Vermeer’s masterpiece, so the author delivers on a moving, perceptive, and tense story about a young woman living during an era when women had few rights. Griet must find her own way and almost falls prey to ruination. You will feel as if you’re walking along beside her in this well-researched setting. In the end Griet triumphs in at least one way, and the last line in the book is one I’ve not forgotten. Simply great historical fiction.
After reading the reviews, I did not expect to enjoy this book. Many reviewers commented that the story moved too slowly and that very little happened. This is true, but the language is so rich and the descriptions are so lavish that I felt I was in 17th Century Holland. I think Griet’s 16-year-old character is unrealistically perceptive, and I had trouble accepting her complete and utter enthrallment with her master. Vermeer is pictured as a self-centered creep who saw very little past his art…the ear piercing incident was despicable. Catharina is a silly airhead, and Cornelia is a little monster in training…so many people to despise. I really loved this book!
If you like art and enjoy researching as you read a book—-then this is for you—-I have read every book by this author and everyone was fantastic.
A great read
Enjoyed the book
I finally picked up this book from my “to read” list. This was an interesting story imagining what might have taken place when Vermeer painted his famous portrait. Griet was an innocent young girl hired by the Vermeer family as a maid. This story revolves around how she became the subject of a famous painting and how that affected her life.
I enjoyed the story, but had some difficulty relating to the attitudes of the time period. But the next time I see a picture of this painting, I will look at it a little differently and wonder what really happened.
When I saw this was one of today’s specials, I felt the need to tell everyone I know: Dive on this deal right now!!
I read this story years ago (I’m talking nearly two decades) and I kid you not, I still think about certain scenes in the book. Tracy Chevalier is a master storyteller. This is a slow moving story, subtle and rich in detail, that keeps you hooked until the very last page. There is barely any physical touch between the characters and yet it is a sexy, sensual read. Highly recommended.
A historical novel, about Vermeer, whose story is not limited to the interest of patrons of the arts.
This is my favorite painting in the world. This is a great story about how it came to be. Not necessarily a happy tale, but a realistic one.
I loved this book. Vermeer has always been one of my favorite painters and, although this book was fiction, it tied together so well with many of his paintings I didn’t want the book to end.
Since I love the painting Girl with a Pearl Earring, I was very interested when I found the book. I enjoyed the book very much! The characters and situations were very believable. The book was easy reading and moved along without any boring parts. Since reading this book, I have read additional books by the same author and enjoyed them all. I would recommend this book.
A memorable book. Read it before seeing the movie of the same name (with Scarlett Johansen). Good to read & see both so you know lots of the details they can’t fully cover in the film.
A wonderfully imagined story takes you into a fascinating world.
Beautifully written.
Loved this book
Loved this book. Historical fiction at its best.
Historical fiction at its best!
I enjoyed the characters and their personalities. The descriptions of the areas outside and inside gave me a good visualization of life at that time. I found it well written, easy to read and the ups and downs of real life.
Interesting, will not look at the picture again without thinking about how it got painted.