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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Different and really interesting. Loved it.
So so. Boring
Boring
Thoroughly enjoyed the first two-thirds of this book, but felt the author skimmed through events by the end. It lost its punch.
A fantastic supposition of art, history and culture combined. The Girl with the Pearl Earring is a story about the Mona Lisa of Northern Europe. This is the book that turned me on to this author.
Great story!
A wonderful historical novel based on the world famous painting. Loved the characters and the descriptions of historic Amsterdam.
I read this wonderful book many years ago and it still ranks high in the list of books I love. The characters are very interesting and I learned some history along the way.
Interesting and historically based story about world renowned painters and their lives and relationships. I didn’t want to put it down.
An imaginative story behind one of the most revered paintings in Western art history.
Most enjoyable slice of history.
Felt like I was reading a classic, but one that was immediately engaging and more enjoyable as the story progressed! Want to read more by this author.
Most interesting book…time and place were fascinating.
Must read
I bought this book primarily because of the artist. I like his paintings particularly The Girl With the Pearl Earring. The descriptions of the city, the homes, the clothing, the way of life and of the way Vermeer painted were informative and fascinating.With very little information to draw from the author had imagined a very readable story about a lovely work of art and how it might have been created.
Those familiar with the work of the artist or with beautiful Delft will enjoy this book.
I enjoyed reading this book from a different time. The story of how someone just rolls along with the life they are dealt.
A different kind of story.
I’ve read this book a handful of times since it’s publication and enjoy it each and every time; it holds up over the years and never disappoints. Ms Chevalier deftly weaves those few facts known about the life and work of Johannes Vermeer into a fully imagined story surrounding one of his most notable paintings, Girl with a Pearl Earring. It’s a fast and enjoyable read. Ms Chevalier’s prose is economical yet she still manages to generously fill the mind’s eye so that you are easily transported back to a time and place hundreds of years ago. I recommend this book whole-heartedly. If you are an art-lover in general and appreciative of Vermeer and the Dutch masters specifically, it’s all the more enjoyable.
This is a must read
I thought this was very boring and predictable. I know it’s being hailed as a “modern day classic, must read” but it was not enjoyable for me at all.