Rating: 
Summary: Chavalier Paints a Pretty Picture
Review: If you like the sort of book that paints a picture of days gone by, then this book is for you. If you like the sort of book that is more concerned with plot than atmosphere, then you might want to consider something else.While I found the "Girl With a Pearl Earring" to be an enjoyable read, I was slightly disappointed by the lack of character development. Whereas Vermeer's paintings convey a dimensionality beyond the painted surface, Chevalier's book does not convey anything beyond a pretty picture. I did enjoy the book, and I would recommend it as a good book to promote interest in an entry-level art history class or as a short summer read.
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Summary: Hope Tracy writes another book soon!
Review: I really liked this book. It was well written, and it had great characters and descriptions. Anyone who enjoys readying historical fiction would rave about this book. I can't wait for her next book!
Rating: 
Summary: Not Impressed
Review: I expected so much more from this author of the "Bird Tales", the translation is evidently taken from another language, not to be confused with the history book.
Rating: 
Summary: Pretty good!
Review: I went to Borders book store before leaving from Kauai this past week, and was really confused on what book I should get. I'm 15, and don't really like those young adult books anymore, but I also don't like some adult books. I love books that are historical fiction though. I saw this book on the shelf, and thought it looked interesting, but wasn't too sure about it. With my parents pressuring me to to hurry up and choose a book, I grabbed it and bought it. I read it in two days (the day I got it and while being stuck in the airport for endless hours). It was a lot better than I had expected it to be! It was really pretty good!
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Summary: A Pearl of a Book
Review: A wonderful novel that brings to life 17th century Dutch life through the eyes of a girl of 17 who becomes a maid in the house of Jan Vermeer. Griet is the daughter of a tile painter and a member of the guild Vermeer heads. When her father is blinded by a kiln explosion, his family becomes destitute and Vermeer, needing a maid, agrees to take the girl, who will turn over her meager wages to support the family. Griet has many jobs but one in particular is to clean Vermeer's studio, where no other family member is allowed to venture without his authorization and presence. Since her father is blind, she has learned to keep things where they are when cleaning so that a blind man can find what he needs. Vermeer needs to keep his painting backgrounds clean but exactly the same and Griet does this well. When he first meets her in her house, he sees she has separated the vegetables she is cutting into colors around a wheel and knows when colors clash. From this moment, we know that there is a gravitational field around the two. But the novel is far more complex than artist seduces maid and Chevalier handles the various subtle erotic elements with a care that makes them real. The novel is well written in simple, clear language that evokes the time and the place. Despite the strictures imposed on women by that society, Chevalier shows how women could be bold and use their intelligence. Without being heavy handed, she shows the social stratification as being very subtle and permeable. This is a love story and is handled with grace and verve. The characters are fleshed out remarkably well in a very short novel and we care about them. While not much happens in the three years covered by this novel, the reader comes to know the characters, and finds deep meaning in the ordinary actions of daily life. A wonderful book.
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Summary: FLAT!!!!!
Review: I so wanted this book to be good! Unforunatelly, I was mildly dissapointed. I am even not sure if the author conducted a serious research on the topic. She stated that she read two books on Vermeer and used the catalogue from an exhibition. Is that all?! I sincerely hope she did go to Holland though. I say the story is "flat" because there are no layers, there are no changes in pace, it's (almost) monotonous, the characters are not defined well... The only character in the book that was more developed is that of Maria Thins. And the only "intense" moment was when Griet was left without her cap. The relationship between the master and his maid is strange. They are in love but he behaves like he doesn't care about her a bit.(?!) One more thing that caught my attention. Near the end, Griet talks about her second venture to the house saying:"...two girls, lined up as their older sisters had been ten years before when I first arrived." Well, she says that in the year 1676. She first arrived in the house in 1664. Little more than ten years I think? It could have been a great book. I hope the author will read these comments and think about what she can do to improve her storytelling.
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Summary: Delicious!
Review: I truly enjoyed this book. The story is not what I expected at all. The view from maid Griet's station in life brings out colors, drama and a rich sensuality I did not expect. Living and learning from a master is a rare priveledge. The story is simple /dramatic and exciting. I couldn't put it down. I so loved Griet's awakening to color and all the revelations that come with that...learning how to see. There are some very interesting characters. The book is meticulous and well researched. But you don't feel that while reading because the author is a truly wonderful story teller. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Ho-Hum
Review: This book entered my house at the same time as The Red Tent. Like The Red Tent, it is a modern telling of a historically significant woman's point of view. Unlike many many many authors (Thomas Hardy and William Makepeace Thackery come to mind), neither the author of Girl with the Pearl Earring nor The Red Tent manage to convince us that they have any grasp at all of the era of which they write, nor do they, either of them, allow their greatly elevated heroines to experience the pitfalls of normal human beings. Oh, so noble, so talented, so clever, so circumspect. Mostly, this book seems constrained and constipated. I for one really dislike the modern writing advice of continually paring down one's prose until it's practically a novella--you know, making each word count. Who the hell cares if a book is a 800 pages long? Give me some good social critique and a boat load of characters who have some depth and I'll read an encyclopediadic series. Viewed through that lens, Girl With a Pearl Earring is just the briefest sketch of what may or may not be an interesting novel. As it stands, it holds one's attention for, oh, about the life span of a may-fly. Oh, alright. Read it for the lovely descriptions of Vermeer's paintings, as told to a blind father by his dutiful daughter. Read it for a little bit of sexual tension, and I mean just a little. No bodice-ripper here. The best thing about this book, honestly and truly, is the cover, and Chavalier can't take any credit for that. My very best advice is to check this book out from the library. If you spend your hard-earned moola on it you'll only get gratification from saving one of your friends from spending money, since you will surely pass it on rather than hoarding it jealously on your bookshelf.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic! Fantastic!
Review: I cannot describe how much I loved this book. I have read it late into the night, over my lunch hour, to and from work, just to finish it. I used to live in Holland and the evocation of the Netherlands and 17th century Dutch life is marvellous. But what is truly wonderful is the 20th century voice of Griet, the maidservant, who evolves and matures under the watchful eye of her master, the great painter Vermeer. You read this book with your heart in your mouth, greedy for the next page, and to find out how the story of these fascinating characters will end. This story of the maidservant and the painter is not formulaic, Vermeer does not seduce Griet on page 1, and it is not predictable. This story is far, far more complex and interesting, and sensual, as a result. I am so sad this book had to come to an end. Read it, you will love it.
Rating:
Summary: A book for an afternoon, if not for your bookshelf
Review: Note: This review is probably too harsh, but someone has to... If you want to learn about Vermeer, Dutch life in 17th century, really good writing, or interesting plot twists -- this is not the best book. If you want a 200 page something to while the time on the train or on a plane -- you are welcome to read this short novel. Overall, there is not all that much to critique, except that I found the heroine too all-knowing and self-aware to exist anywhere outside of Dawson's Creek or a feminist study program. She does everything better than anyone, teaches Vermeer a few painting tricks, and clearly would be a superior painter had she been allowed to study. All of that is a bit hard to swallow, at least for me. Studies of domestic life are interesting, if somewhat rushed and biased towards the main character. This is probably a worthwhile read for 2 or 3 train rides, but unlikely to find a place on your bookshelf for a very long time. I do not usually buy paperbacks because they get ruined too fast, but in this case I am glad to have done so. Personally, I would recommend "Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister" for a much more interesting read on similar people at the same time in Netherlands or "Headlong" for a much better fictional "painter" book.
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