Rating: 
Summary: Much ado about nothing -- so overrated
Review: Never have I been so bored by the style of writing, nor so angry at the flimsy content of a book capitalizing on my favorite artist's life. As stated elsewhere, the cover art was the lure here, and I also had to force myself to finish it, waiting for a momentum which never materialized. This book left me feeling ripped off, since $12+ for a paperback is not peanuts. The book's cover hyperbole bears no relation to the book that I plodded through. These accolades, and others read elsewhere, were too freely bestowed on a very minor talent. Who are these book reviewers setting standards for the rest of us? Tracy Chevalier should give up writing -- no-one else can drag out nothingness for page after page as she can. I would not even pass this book along to friends.
Rating: 
Summary: Historical fiction inspired by famous artwork
Review: This is a simple but well written and interesting story inspired by an art reproduction hanging on the author's wall-or so says her web site about the origins of this book. No one today knows the identity of the mysterious wide eyed and open mouthed girl on the bookcover who wears an exotic turban and pearl earring. She is one of the only 30 or so know works of Vermeer. Tracy Chevalier's imagination spins up a good yarn about who she might have been , taking us away to experience everyday life in 17th century Delft, Holland as lived by the ordinary working people as well as by the rich and famous-namely the artist, Vermeer,his patrons, and his friend and contemporary, Van Leeuwenhoek. One sees the religious chasm between Catholics and Protestants with the misconceptions furthered by segregation. One is amazed to learn that pigments are derived from griding raw materials like charred ivory and lapis lazuli in a costly and labor intensive process instead of just buying them from a paint merchant. Plague has no cure and claims its victims at any time. Class distinctions are followed and illness or injury is devastating in a society with no social welfare system in place-with only family members to take on the extra load. Tracy Chevalier has a good imagination. The book made me wonder who do I think this girl was?
Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely Radiant
Review: This was a vivid and beautifully written tale that immerses you in the life of 17th century Delft. The well imagined story of the Girl With a Pearl Earring painted by Vermeer had me captivated from the very first page. The sense of tension grew page by, incident by incident. I came to feel so much sympathy for the main character Griet, the young maid. Although the ending was not what I would have wished, it was perfectly suited to the storyline, with a satisfactory conclusion. I found myself looking up Vermeer paintings, to compare them to those described in the book. It was fun to read the author's depictions of the stories behind the paintings. A very enjoyable read.
Rating:
Summary: A Subtle Masterpiece
Review: I hadn't planned on liking this book. I don't normally read historical fiction, but a friend (who's tastes in fiction are pretty reliable) bought me a copy and insisted I give it a chance. Take a look at the cover of "Girl With a Pearl Earring" and you'll instantly know what impelled Tracy Chevalier to write this book. Vermeer's beguiling portrait (of the same title) begs explanation. Who was this wistful, wide-eyed girl? What was her story? Since little is known about Vermeer, the 17th century Dutch painter, Chevalier's account is largely fictional...but oh, what captivating tale. Reviewers who characterize this book as "dry" or weakly narrated seem to have missed the bigger picture (pun intended). Chevalier's gift lies in her clear, unadorned style. Like Vermeer himself, she paints a simple yet beautiful portrait that is all substance, with little flash. We are instantly drawn into the world of 17th century Holland, and the life of a young girl who, at least in this fictionalized account, serves as the inspiration for what is arguably Johannes Vermeer's most famous painting. As I read "Girl With a Pearl Earring," I found myself constantly flipping to the front cover to gaze at Vermeer's stunning portrait. The girl in the painting, although historically an unknown model, became Griet...a 17 year old maid with quiet sensibilities and a dazzling, wide-eyed curiosity. I was almost disappointed to learn that Griet was not, in fact, a "real" person, but the product of Chevalier's imagination. Fast readers should be able to swim through this book in a single afternoon, but my recommendation is to take it slow and submerge yourself. "Girl With a Pearl Earring" is meant to be experienced from the deep end.
Rating:
Summary: an intriguing exploration into the artistic mind
Review: There certainly is divided opinion on this novel! I really enjoyed the recreation of life in Vermeer's household. The author does a credible job of keeping close to the period history with her detailed descriptions of 17th century Delft life. Though some readers have complained about the writing, the book is presented from the point of view of the young girl who is forced to be a maid for Vermeer due to her father's disability (he can't practice his trade because his eyes were burned by the kiln's explosion). The writing then is that of a young girl recounting the daily chores and petty politics of the Vermeer household, trips to market, and her infatuation with Vermeer. In some ways, it's a love story (quite repressed) complete with jealousy, intrigue and lecherous gropings (not on Vermeer's part!). Though no one knows for sure the mysteries behind Vermeer's limited output, the author gives us a compelling version of his exacting standards and family situation which did not lend themselves to factory produced paintings. I found the passages about painting well done and thought-provoking. Parts of this short novel are positively luminous. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and is even remotely interested in Dutch painting. Perhaps diehard historians won't enjoy it, but the rest should find something to please them here.
Rating:
Summary: This is what they meant by Catharsis
Review: This was an exquisite book. I was constantly amazed by the flat emotional style amid the well chosen description - and the story gripped me. Griet's gradual disassociation from herself and her family is quite moving, and seems inevitable from the beginning of the story. I wanted more for Griet than what she got, but any other ending would not have made sense with the time and place of the book...I don't know that I could say I want to read it again. It reminded me of the movie Schindler's List - I was glad I had seen it, but I didn't necessarily want to relive the emotions by seeing it again.
Rating:
Summary: Pays homage to Vermeer
Review: Written in the spare style typical of 17th century fiction, this little book answers the question, "Who is the girl in the painting?" So often a painter conveys a world to us in a glance, as Vermeer accomplished so effectively in his "Girl with a Pearl Earring." In her novel, Chevalier provides the canvas of life in the Netherlands at the time, and shows us the master artist through the eyes of a typical, if particularly observant, young woman. Her innate appreciation of the fundamentals of art shine like the pearl against the dross of her existence.
Rating:
Summary: very enjoyable
Review: If you enjoy historical fiction, or fictionalized biographies, you will enjoy this book. It's a short, quick read, very engaging, really because of the insight it gives into Vermeer's working style and technique. This book will inspire me to read a biography of Vermeer. I also look forward to reading more books by this author.
Rating:
Summary: flat canvas
Review: It is a testament to Vermeer that this book is even picked up off the shelf. The cover art intrigues the writing does not. How it made best sellers list is beyond my reading of it. I sat it down but I made myself finish it as I kept hoping that a plot would develop, a hook, a surprise, a twist. In the end the only thing intriquing was (re)Greit's laundry list. The detail of it read like a Melville Novel. For an interesting heroine and wonderful word tapestries read Ahab's wife: The Star Gazer. As for the pearl earring save the jacket.
Rating:
Summary: This book is INCREDIBLY DULL and a TOTAL waste of money
Review: I am currently reading this book because I work part time while going full time at college. This book is INCREDIBLY boring. The main character, Griet or however you spell her name, is one-sided, flat, and pricelessly dull beyond belief. She talks so little she could almost be a mute. I like her descriptions about the children and the food. other then that this book leads you nowhere. Its a narrative with no point, and it doesn't give any insight into any characters or to the history that surrounds the characters. Like, the author does not give any perspective into the mysterious disease that surrounds them. The character's boss' wife, Catharina, has babies, they eat food, and Griet (the maid in this book, for she works for the famous painter Vermeer)says nothing and does even less. This book is horrible. At first I was going to give it a C- (paltry mediocrity) but now I'd rather give it a D. NOT WORTH BUYING. Worst I've read in ages.
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