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Summary: A Wonderful Entertainment!
Review: If Vermeer had written a novel, this is the language he would have used. The effect of Chevalier's words is very, very similar to the effect of Vermeer's brushstrokes. The story is painfully beautiful and believable. (Very little factual information is known about Vermeer, and his body of work is very small.) From what I have heard through a close friend of Chevalier, she did her research in the Netherlands (as one would hope), and it shows in this marvelous book! Other recent books I recommend: Life Of Pi by Martel, The Losers' Club by Richard Perez
Rating: 
Summary: Intriguing idea, average writing, plot fails midway
Review: I read this book for a book club I belong to and was disappointed with the book midway through. Initially, I enjoyed the idea of the book, the historical placement of its characters and story, and a look into the life of an artist. However, the writing style is best suited for high school students, i.e. it is quite simplistic, even though a few good metaphors are presented. The plot is somewhat predictable but then becomes historically unbelievable midway. Considering what we know of the main character, I highly doubt whether she would handle her virginity the way the author suggests. The story then rapidly collapses towards the ending, with the author trying to finish the novel without further developing the characters or the plot. I finished the book quite disappointed with the author's lack of effort.
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Summary: Girl with a Pearl Earring
Review: The book does read quickly as many readers have noted, perhaps a bit too quickly. By contrast, Vermeer's paintings take time... years. They can be "re-read" thousands of times with no risk of tiring. It will be very interesting to see which aspect of the book the upcoming film will emphasize. Just in case someone is interested, there is an informative website devoted entirely to the real painting...
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Summary: A MUST read. Fantastic IMAGINATION Chevalier has
Review: This book grabbed me from page one and didn't let me go even after I had quietly closed the cover and sat the book down with a smile. Chevalier did just a fantastic job of recreating the world of Vermeer, what he might have been thinking, his personality, etc. And her insight into the Girl with the Pearl earring--what her life might have been like, her relationship to Vermeer, etc.--is simply nothing short of genius. EXCELLENT book.
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Summary: This book never made me care about the girl with the earring
Review: I never finished this book. I made it about 3\4's of the way through tedious descriptions of every day life, washing and cleaning and a plague that swept through the opposite side of town and killed off some very unfleshed out characters that the protagonist knew well. The girl's character comes across frequently as cold and unsympathetic. I did find the descriptions of Vermeer and his art fascinating, but that was about as far as I got with it. I made myself read it when I had free time because I was trying to find out what everyone else was raving about. I would rather read a textbook about Vermeer than this woman's pale, watery interpretation. I realize that this sounds harsh, and this book probably just wasn't my cup of tea. Maybe it will be executed better in the movie when it is released.
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Summary: Wonderful!!!!
Review: I first read this in a book club in highschool two years ago. It is a wonderful book, exploring not only the historical aspects of Vermeer's life and times but also delving into the strange relationship with his servant/model. It is an excellent exploration of the social classes-master and servant-as well as personal relationships. I highly recommend this book. Another recommendation would be the Red Tent, though I have forgotten the author's name.
Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyable
Review: Speculative fiction about Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer or, more specifically, about the girl in one of his most famous paintings, Girl with a Pearl Earring. Griet starts off as a maid in the painter's house but she is soon made his assistant and eventually his model. While this is going on she also has to deal with being away from home for the first time, Vermeer's wife and daughter's jealousy, and her growing attraction to the painter. Not the kind of book I usually read but it was enjoyable. It was a bit on the slow side but the book itself was short so that didn't really bother me. It could also be vague in places but this is one of those books where some things are better left to the imagination. If you are an art dork or you just like good fiction in general you'll probably enjoy this book.
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Summary: History and fiction combined
Review: This was a neat little book. It was given to me by my aunt who had received it from a friend. I especially enjoyed it because I was also taking an art history class at the time. The plot could have been more developed, and the ending elaborated on, but overall I enjoyed it!
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Summary: More Than Brush Strokes
Review: Tracy Chevalier has come up with a very creative and ingenious plot and a very readable novel. It is easy to understand how she may have been inspired by this particular Vermeer painting and its subject, to tell her story, promise of which was captured for eternity by the most famous of the Dutch Masters. The delivery is less brilliant, and dialogues seem less than authentic at times. Sure, there are glimpses of the 17th century Dutch daily life, business of art of painting, grind of keeping a medieval house functioning and the fragility of human life, but one does not exactly get transported to the time and place while reading this novel. Still, it was a pleasant book, worth the read
Rating:
Summary: Quick, poignant read
Review: I finished this book in one day. It was easy to read and also easy to get lost in the lives of it's characters. After I read it, I thought about it enough to go look at a book of Vermeer's work. I strongly suggest that anyone reading this have a collection of his work handy because of the references to specific works throughout the book. That Vermeer's paintings serve as another dimension to the work make it all the more pleasing.
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