Name: SG's review of Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
Item: Girl with a Pearl Earring
Rating: 5
Author: SG

Tracy Chevalier

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. 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.

A Novel

Girl with a Pearl Earring

Those eyes are fixed on someone. But who? What is she thinking as she stares out from one of the world’s best-loved paintings?

Johannes Vermeer can spot exceptional beauty. When servant girl Griet catches his eye, she soon becomes both student and muse. But then he gives her his wife’s pearl earrings to wear for a portrait, and a scandal erupts that could threaten Griet’s future…

(Deluxe Edition)

Girl With a Pearl Earring

Elena M.

Ida 

Ella Williams

A maid becomes a model for the 17th century Dutch painter, Vermeer. The woman, an artisan's daughter with a strong power of observation, describes his manner of work, his household and life of the day, including the rigid class system and religious bigotry.

This book is a wonderful love letter to imagination. The narrative Chevalier invents around the titular masterpiece takes great creative liberty and yet—is entirely believable and manages to handle, with a subtle but profound hand, the subjects of womanhood and desire, perspective and artistic vision.

Overall, I expected more from the prose, which is more simple than it is lyrical, but Chevalier does have a knack for description: the kind of rare, eye-catching detail that leaves a lasting impression on its reader. What really won me over, however, is Chevalier's character work. Griet is a quietly powerful protagonist, and it is an engrossing experience to see her mature. The author makes it so that every interaction between Griet and the supporting characters burbles with tension, and never more so than with the painter himself. History leaves much to be desired when it comes to understanding Vermeer's persona, but I, for one, have no protest against Chevalier's choice to focus not on the artist, but his (fictional) muse. Vermeer's presence in the novel may be sparse, but it is always compelling. When he does appear, he commands the scene; without needing to speak a word, his aura fills the room, as likely it did in his own era. Still, he remains true to who he has always been: a mystery, a figure best reserved for the shadows. 

This novel, too, has a magnetic quality that refuses to be ignored. It may not deserve the highest rating, but it is nevertheless a standout of the history genre, and my favorite read of the year thus far.

sariya

This book is a wonderful love letter to imagination. The narrative Chevalier invents around the titular masterpiece takes great creative liberty and yet—is entirely believable and manages to handle, with a subtle but profound hand, the subjects of womanhood and desire, perspective and artistic vision.

Overall, I expected more from the prose, which is more simple than it is lyrical, but Chevalier does have a knack for description: the kind of rare, eye-catching detail that leaves a lasting impression on its reader. What really won me over, however, is Chevalier's character work. Griet is a quietly powerful protagonist, and it is an engrossing experience to see her mature. The author makes it so that every interaction between Griet and the supporting characters burbles with tension, and never more so than with the painter himself. History leaves much to be desired when it comes to understanding Vermeer's persona, but I, for one, have no protest against Chevalier's choice to focus not on the artist, but his (fictional) muse. Vermeer's presence in the novel may be sparse, but it is always compelling. When he does appear, he commands the scene; without needing to speak a word, his aura fills the room, as likely it did in his own era. Still, he remains true to who he has always been: a mystery, a figure best reserved for the shadows. 

This novel, too, has a magnetic quality that refuses to be ignored. It may not deserve the highest rating, but it is nevertheless a standout of the history genre, and my favorite read of the year thus far.

Sarah Sammis

Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier is a historical novel that imagines the story behind the titular Vermeer painting. Griet is sent to the Vermeer household to work as a servant after her father is blinded in a kiln accident.

Griet is far better educated than a typical servant, she catches the attention of Vermeer, to the annoyance of the lady of the house. She quickly goes from basic servant to trusted assistant, and finally model.

Chevalier's writing style is understated and similar to Marilynne Robinson's Home. There's no major events, little drama, mostly just quiet observations on art and people.

Girl with a Pearl Earring is best suited for readers interested in 17th Century art or specifically Vermeer. Much of the emphasis is on the art of portraiture and oil painting. There is an abundance of technical details thrown into the story.

I absolutely loved this book, it was beautiful, and I love me some historical novels, sooo....

Elise Rosa Cornelis

Wow, I love art inspired by art. I was so enamoured by this book and the nature of the main character, I found myself consistently going back to the cover where the original painting was displayed and just looking at it seeing the story unfold. I love how this author was so inspired to create a story surrounding such a visceral painting. 

Great reading experience, written so accessibly and beautifully that I honestly feel like anyone could pick this up and enjoy it. 

jaz ☁️

Wow, I love art inspired by art. I was so enamoured by this book and the nature of the main character, I found myself consistently going back to the cover where the original painting was displayed and just looking at it seeing the story unfold. I love how this author was so inspired to create a story surrounding such a visceral painting. 

Great reading experience, written so accessibly and beautifully that I honestly feel like anyone could pick this up and enjoy it. 

Interesting take on the famous painting by Vermeer ! 

The characters were infuriating though lol

Amira BEN

Interesting take on the famous painting by Vermeer ! 

The characters were infuriating though lol

Colette McDermed

Very very very good! 100% worth your time! A touching tale about the realities for young women in centuries past, with vivid writing.

Kirsten Simkiss

This book was a great historical fiction read in the sense that it's very informative of the time it's presenting. Is it entirely historically accurate? Not a chance. The whole premise of the book is fictionalized as a "what if" of the times as little is known about the actual subject of the painting. However, for a young adult reader, much can be gleaned from the life of a maid in Delft during this time period. For instance, I had no idea that men in the Netherlands during this time period would wear a special hat to show that their wife had given birth or throw fancy parties at the occasion of a birth to which everyone in the neighborhood was invited.

However, the story itself didn't much satisfy. Much like the women of the time period, things were chosen for them regularly. The end of the book is the character making a final decision for herself, which is thrust upon her due to the course of the actions in this book - most of which are out of her control. Griet, the main character who is fifteen or sixteen at the start of the book, has an unhealthy relationship with Vermeer, who is very definitely much older than she is when her crush begins. Not only is he in power over her well being, he deliberately does things that jeopardize not only her well being but the well being of her parents, who depend on her income, and those feelings never sour. The characters are also fairly one note. If a character is behaving a particular way at the start of the book toward Griet, they are still behaving much the same way to her at the end of the book. And few of the character relationships, from marriages to family relations to friends, are particularly healthy.

Ultimately, I didn't enjoy it that much but it was fairly easy to read. The writing flows decently well and it didn't ever bog me down with any one topic for too long. I found, however, that this is not a book I likely will ever want to reread.

A poor seventeenth-century servant girl knows her place in the household of the painter Johannes Vermeer, but when he begins to paint her, nasty whispers and rumors circulate throughout the town. Reissue. (A Lions Gate Films production, releasing November 2003, starring Colin Firth & Scarlett Johannson) (Historical Fiction)

Mary Rose Luksha

I read a few reviews of this book that mention Chevalier's flat characters. But I didn't think they were flat, just incredibly nuanced. She stayed true to Griet's character, which may make some characters seem flat, but you have to look at them like Griet does, and then try to see them as the world might, or a third person narrator, then they were dimensional. By no means is she psycho-analyzing characters in her book, but they are by no means flat. 

I also loved the relationship between Griet and Vermeer. I can see how some people could be disappointed, but I think when you meet someone who is talented like that, there is an attraction, and part of it is sexual, but part of it is...undescribable. Griet was attracted to him as a painter, not him as a man. And that dynamic was really interesting. 

SPOILER

The only problem I have with the book, and the reason I gave it three stars and not four, was the scene where Griet lost her virginity. You're telling me that because Vermeer saw her hair, she figured she could have sex with Pietr? I see how Chevalier constructed that, but the way she executed it was incredibly lacking. I was with her up until then. I mean I was still sort of with her, but not as much as before.

Bunnhi

Chevalier has a way of pulling you into the story. Such a simple setting yet such complex emotions.

Anne

Amanda

This was a beautiful novel telling a fictionalized tale about the famous painting of the same name and how it came to be. It all felt so real and believable. 

I found myself flipping back to the cover, referring to it constantly, becoming mesmerized and feeling the painting - and the story behind it - come to life. The author did an incredible job describing Vermeer's art and style. I could easily visualize all the paintings he worked on throughout the book and feel I came away with a renewed sense of appreciation for art. 

Filled with so many tiny, yet important, details, this book was utterly captivating. The tension was palpable almost constantly throughout. Griet was a wonderful character, and I'm glad we got to experience everything through her (wide) eyes. 

A shorter novel, this was an incredibly fast-paced read, but I think it was the perfect length. There was nothing missing and nothing needed to be added. Much like the painting, this was a masterpiece. I'm so glad I read it.

Girl with a pearl earring

Meredith Rose

As the year comes to a close, I'm going back through the books I've read in 2019, and I just now realized that I didn't write a review for this outstanding book. Keeping things brief since it's been so long since I finished, I just want to say that this is one of the best books I've read in a long time. In fact, it has inspired me to write a book with a similar model, bringing to life an untold story behind one of my favorite paintings. I've yet to choose which painting, but I hope to soon. I will also be checking out Tracy Chevalier's other works!

Lyndsey McIntyre 

I really loved this book. The storytelling was fantastic and the characters were so interesting. I finished it in two days. I did not want to put it down. The description, the detail, the historical aspect, everything I love. It was a wonderful read that I would recommend to anyone. This was right up my street

Olivera Mitić

Jade Flynn

3.5/5

Read for the 'Tis' the Damn Readathon' prompt - Speak Now: If This Was a Movie - Read a book that has a movie adaptation

Read for the 'BTS Readathon' prompt - Hobi: Read a five star prediction

I thought this book was excellent. It was a little slow-paced, but it was easy to read and kept my interest.

Christina Wells

Took me so long to actually get around to reading this book, and so glad I did! Wonderful! I read it in a day, it was so ogod!

Anyaconda

A quick read to cleanse the palate. I enjoyed reading from a maid's perspective and the book delivered on what I expected it to be.

La jeune et ravissante Griet est engagée comme servante dans la maison du peintre Vermeer. Nous sommes à Delft, au dix-septième siècle, l'âge d'or de la peinture hollandaise. Griet s'occupe du ménage et des six enfants de Vermeer en s'efforçant d'amadouer l'épouse, la belle-mère et la gouvernante, chacune très jalouse de ses prérogatives. Au fil du temps, la douceur, la sensibilité et la vivacité de la jeune fille émeuvent le maître qui l'introduit dans son univers. À mesure que s'affirme leur intimité, le scandale se propage dans la ville...

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Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier

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