
Tracy Chevalier's 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' is a historical fiction novel that delves into the life of Griet, a young maid in the 17th century household of the famous painter Vermeer. The book explores Griet's interactions with Vermeer, his family, and the challenges she faces as she navigates her role as an assistant to the artist. The narrative provides insights into the art world of the time, the dynamics within the household, and Griet's personal growth and experiences.
Chevalier's writing style in 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' is described as clear, spare, and cinematic, creating a richly imagined portrait of Griet and her relationship with Vermeer. The novel is praised for its ability to transport readers to a bygone era, offering a glimpse into the life of a young woman who inspired one of Vermeer's most famous paintings. Through Griet's perspective, the book provides a unique exploration of art, social dynamics, and personal growth during the 17th century in Delft.
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From The Publisher:
The New York Times bestselling novel by the author of A Single Thread and At the Edge of the Orchard
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.
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.
Ratings (41)
Incredible (6) | |
Loved It (17) | |
Liked It (11) | |
It Was OK (5) | |
Did Not Like (2) |
Reader Stats (60):
Read It (43) | |
Want To Read (16) | |
Not Interested (1) |
3 comment(s)
The Goodreads summary of this book is a fair representation of my feelings. Great book, great style, great voice. The only thing I would add is the fascinating treatment of sexuality. On the one hand, Pieter and Griet are physically intimate, but their relationship is almost purely economic. On the other hand, Vermeer and Griet almost never touch, but their relationship is erotically charged and economically disastrous.
Found this at the used bookstore and honestly thought I wouldn't like it. A literary, historical fiction based upon art? I was expecting major pretentious high-brow language that would be a pain to read. This book is remarkably simple and easy to read, though. The prose is sparse and straightforward and you can zip right through it. I found that refreshing. The portrait painted of 1600's Dutch life is intriguing, the characters are interesting, and the powerless role of women portrayed in the novel, particularly those of the servant class, is disturbing to read about. My criticisms would be that some elements of the Dutch life feel a bit too "modern," making me doubt some of the authenticity of the novel. However, having sparse knowledge of Dutch history, I cannot say for certain - maybe they were a culture so advanced in the 1600s. Also some of the symbolism felt forced and contrived, particularly her obsession with blood on the male hands and the correlation of the loss of female innocence. It felt heavyhanded at times and repeated too often as if she was trying to cram the obvious meaning down our throats. All in all, though, a page-turner that kept my attention and actually piqued my interest enough to want to research Vermeer and learn a bit more about Dutch life.
Chevalier has a way of pulling you into the story. Such a simple setting yet such complex emotions.
About the Author:
Tracy Chevalier is the New York Times bestselling author of nine previous novels, including Girl with a Pearl Earring, which has been translated into thirty-nine languages and made into an Oscar-nominated film. Born and raised in Washington, DC, she lives in…
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