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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Really liked this except for the ending as it was felt like it was rushed. Too bad.
This book was incredibly interesting. It was creative in the way it depicted a part of the history of painting through a young girl’s life. For me, it was a companion book to Susan Vreeland’s book, “Girl in Hyacinth Blue.” Both stories revolved around the Dutch painter, Vermeer.
A pearl of a novel. Understated and rich at the same time. Hard times force a 16 year-old Dutch girl, Griet, to leave the home of her artisan father in 17th century Delft to become a maid in the household of the master painter Vermeer. Very belivable account of how women might have negotiated a pathway of integrity in a society that valued them primarily for objects of desire, childbearing, and household management (perhaps not even so different from recent history). Griet is flattered that Vermeer chooses to use her as an assistant and later as a model, and the many consequences that ensue is a means for Chevalier to to make her own elegant portrait of human character.
Very well written Great book
Very informative on the life of Vermeer. A must read for art lovers.
Exceptional and vivid mental imaging of the time and life of Vermeer. His painting is one of the beautiful and haunting images of all time. This book adds to the haunting mystique of his painting. Exceptionally told tale.
I expected that this novel would be more fast paced. It was rather dragged out.
I did enjoy reading this book – but expected more since it was a best seller.
A finely written novel of an imagined relationship from people in history. Excellent writing and well done.
Lived being transported into this world. It’s fully drawn and the characters pull you in.
Loved this book. I was transported to the Netherlands in medieval days. Great story, great writing.
I found the ending to be unexpected. The in-between stages that occurred I was expecting it to be more lusty but I was happily surprised that the write didn’t make it out that way. I thoroughly enjoyed it
This book may not appeal to everyone. It builds slowly and doesn’t have a conventional happy ending. It deals with social class, specifically from a woman’s point of view. It’s also a philosophical exploration of the purpose of art.
Quality of the writing impressed me immediately. The realism of Dutch life in the 1600’s was written like a picture, understated but vivid. (they had chamber pots, a canal across the street; water was drawn from it … no mention of where the chamber pots were emptied and cleaned … hmmm.
The characters were drawn so that I, who cannot read without the help of a device such as the Kindle, could see, feel, think like them. Obviously, I have listed the author as a favorite …. and KINDLE< and AMAzon, do you have the same author with books for Kindle. (I cannot read much of what you advertize. nor read the author,s name).
I would describe this book as quiet. As historical fiction, the author develops the Vermeer family and their maid Griete as believable human beings with foibles and genius and mischief and all the things people are. I enjoyed reading it.
I enjoyed the representation of 17th century Netherlands, though I have no idea how much research the writer did and how realistically she portrayed the people and culture.
Loved this book
I saw the movie first…loved it. The book is so much better. Written in first person, it is rich in description, of the period, the characters, of the lifestyle and how people did what was necessary for the survival of the family. From the very first paragraph, I was drawn into the story and through the very last page, I cheered for Griet.
As always the author delievers a book you do not want to put down.
I was really underwhelmed with this novel after being told it was a must-read. Everything from the characters to the story line was really lackluster. I didn’t feel any passionate vibes that the author was trying to portray with the protagonist about painting or with her feelings for her master.
Wonderful book. Wonderful characters.
I loved the originality of the story. I’m pretty sure that this is what really happened to young women of lower status.