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Summary: AudioCassette
Review: I listened to the abridged version of this novel. I loved the narrator as well as the story.
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Summary: A work of art
Review: GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING is writing at its best, both in terms of the concept, and of the prose itself. Author Tracy Chevalier has written a novel in the first person, her narrator being a sixteen-year old girl who is forced, due to her own family's dire finances, to work as a maid for the family of the 17th century painter Johannes Vermeer.In the voice of the heroine, Chevalier reveals how difficult life was in those long-ago days. She never is maudlin, however, nor even obvious. This is a quiet book, which the reader will have to study for its nuances. Oddly, in the peculiar way of coincidences, this book came out very close in time to GIRL IN HYACINTH BLUE. Not only are these titles similar, but both of these books engage in fictional explorations of particular aspects of the life of Vermeer. Read together, these two books are as good as a class on the Old Masters.
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Summary: Literary Fiction at Its Best
Review: A brilliant first novel by Chevalier, "Girl with a Pearl Earring" is literary fiction at its best. Griet is a delicately crafted character coming-of-age in a difficult time and situation. She is mysterious, intelligent, and kind...all traits which at times enthrall and at others befuddle her family and friends. 17th Century Delft is a place where plagues still happen, maids do not speak before being spoken to, and marriage is a sacrament of financial rather than emotional importance. It is also a period characterized in Dutch Art History by the representation of genre paintings and landscapes, both of which were subjects seldom selected by Vermeer, who instead concentrated on personal experience. Chevalier works magic with the elusive personal life of this painter and is able to make the painting "Girl with a Pearl Earring" come alive to the reader of the book. My only advise to readers is to consult a Name Dictionary or else listen to the audio version...the names are not pronounced as they are spelled and I was quite surprised to hear the difference. I am a reader's advisory librarian and have yet to recommend this book to anyone and hear that it was not enjoyed. This is truly a magnificent first book by Chevalier.
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Summary: Fast and fascinating read
Review: I really enjoyed this slice o' life historical novel. It's more spare than usual for the genre, which I found refreshing. Still lots of good detail about this fascinating young woman and the odd social and moral constraints that make up her daily life. Good painting trivia and a properly enigmantic portrayal of Vermeer and his circle of friends.
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Summary: Amazing book
Review: Amazing book. Couldn't put it down!!
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Summary: Wonderful!
Review: There is nothing that makes me happier than reading a delightful, simple, page-turning story and Chevalier's book is just that! I finished it in one day. A wonderful, entertaining read.
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Summary: An entertaining and realistic novel
Review: "Girl with Pearl Earring" brings life to a portrait. Tracy Chevalier fills Griet with vitality and energy, making her a sensible and realistic woman. She is a young woman, not willing to be crushed by tragedy, but unable to stop the fall of those around her. Chevalier's vivid descriptions of people and places create a world of art and of creation, both that of Vermeer and her own. Definitely a book worth reading!
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Summary: Girl with a Pearl Earring
Review: This book was a 1 day read and other than giving a new way of looking at art it did not delve deep enough into the charachters. It would on the other hand be great for 12 year old girls.
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Summary: I loved this book!
Review: This book initially caught my eye because I am an admirer of Vermeer's paintings. I don't read much current fiction because I find most of it to be trite and boring. Instead, my personal preference is to read historical biographies or other historical works. This book claimed to be historical fiction and the subject seemed interesting so I thought I'd give it a whirl. Imagine my surprise when I found myself transported to the world in which Vermeer lived and painted. I found the writing to be incredible in its ability to evoke images of Vermeer's paintings as well as the process of painting itself. Tracy Checavlier's writing is terrific and I was wholly entertained when reading this book. The book works on many levels and I'm sure that I will read this book again in the future. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a terrific story about a simple, young girl who discovers much about herself while in the company of one of history's great painters.
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Summary: Like stepping into a Vermeer Paining
Review: Written in a soft and subtle style, at the same time with a richness a acuity that showed me into the world of Delft in Vermeer's time. I felt like I could see the painting from the inside out. The writer's style was congruent with the feeling of Vermeer's art.
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