Girl with a Pearl Earring

Rating:
Summary: Captivating
Review: I decided to read this book almost on impulse and, although I had heard excellent things about it, I did not expect what I got. The story is of Griet, an adolescent who works as a maid to support her parents in the home of the artist Vermeer. The plot centers around the relationship between Vermeer and Griet. The heroine, telling her tale as a more experienced and mature adult, endears us to her and makes us understand her very self. The author did an excellent job in creating the psyche and fellings of a young maid atracted to her master and the consequences those emotions entail when they are combined with the actions of a true artist whose only real love is his art. I loved the way the author created Vermeer as a mysterious and romantic character and as a true artist whose life is his work. I was charmed at the way the author explained how things in Vermeer's pictures came to be, down to the very details of the strange headdress worn by the Girl with a Pearl Earing. Although this book will leave you somewhat depressed it will also make you think and leave you with a satisfied felling of having read a very worthwhile book.

Rating:
Summary: Insight into Vermeer's masterpiece--3.5 stars
Review: When Griet, a young lady, had to work as a maid in the Vermeer's household, she didn't know what a drastic change would occur. From an evil mistress (who is eternally pregnant), a jealous coworker, children who like making trouble for Griet, and the butcher's son who has set his eyes on her, Griet's only consolations are from her Master, Vermeer, and his paintings. Chosen as an art apprentice, by the master himself, Griet strives for her master's attention. The master is a strange, distant man who spends most of his time in his art room preparing for a painting. As Vermeer has a good reputation, he tries to keep it by working for perfection at his paintings. When his reputation and his career are almost ruined by a request demeaning to Griet, the master calls upon Griet to make a decision that may get her booted out of the Vermeer household. --Though this novel certainly was captivating, many points were not explained properly, leaving a reader a bit confused. The most confusing of these points would probably have been those of Griet's emotions, and of the Master's decisions. So little is given of the Master's character, that a reader must make guesses for many of his decisions. Also, Griet's emotions were a bit strange, and also were not explained clearly. She seemed a bit distant throughout the novel, making her seem shallow. As a reader I didn't like her character very much because of that aspect.

Rating:
Summary: One of those rare times the movie is better
Review: This is one of those instances when the book, though very good, is not quite as good as the movie. The movie succeeds in distilling the emotional essence of a very visual story about a very uncommunicative protagonist. These two features--visual story and uncommunicative protagonist--are ideally suited to film, the former for obvious reasons and the latter because in a movie you can read what's going on inside a character on her face. In this book's first person narrative, you must read between the lines, and make deductions based on other characters' responses to her. There are enough clues to work with in Chevalier's sparse writing, but Griet remains a bit of a dissatisfying enigma. Thus, the book fails to achieve the same emotional crescendo and climax as the movie, but it is still a wonderful read, and seems to be very true to both the psychology and the realities of 17th Century Holland.

For those unfamiliar with either, "Girl with a Pearl Earring" is essentially a speculation on the meaning of the painting of the same name, the masterpiece of artist Johannes Vermeer. The book posits the subject of the painting as a young maid who comes to work in the Vermeer household and develops a connection with the painter while getting swept up in family politics, as well as a power struggle with Vermeer's patron.

Rating:
Summary: Good, but it could have been great
Review: Jan Vermeer is usually overshadowed in the world of Dutch painters by Rembrandt van Rijn and Vincent van Gogh, perhaps because of the scarcity of his paintings. Vermeer painted a relative few works, most of them quiet, domestic scenes with none of the grandeur of "Night Watch" or vibrancy of "Sunflowers". "Girl With a Pearl Earring", indeed, is probably his most famous work. In the book of the same title, Tracy Chevalier creates a fictional muse to inspire this mysterious portrait.

Griet, the narrator, is a young maid in the home of Vermeer. She falls quietly in love with her master, who allows her in to clean his studio and mix his paints, introducing her to a world of color and beauty unheard of in the life of a 17th century Protestant servant. Vermeer, in turn, is fascinated with Griet, perhaps goaded on by a rivalry with his lascivious patron. Eventually, he paints Griet wearing his wife's pearl earrings. The fallout from this act affects both of their life, and perhaps the history of Dutch Golden Age art, forever.

If anything is wrong with this story, it is what it lacks. Griet as a character remains closed off from the reader for the entire length of the book. We get almost no insights into her personality, no expressions of emotion, and thus it's impossible to empathize with her. Vermeer is by turns callous and understanding, which could make for a wonderfully complex character but instead comes off as inconsistent and hastily drawn. The town of Delft itself gets the shaft - I've been there, and even I couldn't make sense of the layout of the streets and districts, or get any sense of how beautiful the town truly is.

The relationship between Griet and Vermeer could have been an intriguing study of class difference and how it affects relationships, how a subtle abuse of power can destroy someone who's helpless to say no, how the abused can love her abuser. Instead, we get no real sense of why Griet continues to idolize Vermeer, nor why he treats her the way he does. To Chevalier's credit, she keeps their relationship platonic, with only a few moments of sexual tension. The relationship between maid and master is volatile enough without throwing gratuitous sex into it, in my opinion.

Overall, if you're already interested in art, the Dutch Golden Era, or hopeless love stories, this is a lovely book. I doubt it will win any converts, although the movie might change all of that. (This is one of the few instances where I think the movie might be better than the book, since by definition writing about art is going to be awkward.) Speaking of, my recommendation is to get the edition that has the original painting on the cover, rather than the scene from the movie. When Chevalier starts discussing Griet's sitting for the portrait, it's helpful to have it in front of you.

Rating:
Summary: this is the sexiestbook i have ever read
Review: this the sexiest book i have ever read. this is one of those books that just lets your fantasy fly. if you have ADD it will take you years to finish because you will think of ever sexy stranger who has ever accidently brush againist you in a crowd. this book is a fantasy starter ever page

Rating:
Summary: Historical fiction not for romantics
Review: There are two types of people that shouldn't read this book; 1. Romantics who studied art history, and 2. People hoping for a historically detailed account of 17th Century Flanders. Romantics who love Vermeer's paintings will finish this book disillusioned and sad. Historians will get very little detail to satisfy their desire for a complete picture of this period. On the other hand, those hoping for a good novel with historical references and overtones, or perhaps a glimpse into the process of artists in Vermeer's time, will enjoy Girl with a Pearl Earring very much.

GWAPE is mostly historical fiction about a beautiful teenage girl's years spent as a maid in the service of famous painter Vermeer's household. Griet is a hardworking, intelligent sort who has wonderful work ethics and really just wants to help out her parents, who have fallen on hard times. During her stay with this family she unexpectedly becomes an apprentice of sorts to the painter after he realizes she has some undeveloped talent (which a girl of her station would never realize, normally). Although the cover art hints at a juicy affair between the two, this is just a cheap marketing ploy. The real romance is between Griet and her discovery of art.

It's not that author Tracy Chevalier didn't do her research. The parts of this book that talk of camera obscura, how paints were mixed, the hierarchy of a wealthy household and the social customs of that age speak of a great deal of research and indeed, insight. Without being any kind of expert myself I'd bet that Chevalier studied these things in great depth. It's just that life outside of the domestic sphere is sketched in only very sparingly. One does not get a very fulfilling view of Flanders through this book.

The overstory about maid Griet and her "sensual awakening" to the art in light and the objects around her is beautifully done. I could not ask for a better description. What troubled me was that every other character in this tale was completely blind to anything but their own prejudices, petty concerns and agendas - including Vermeer himself! Each person sees Griet either as a commodity or a threat, based on stereotypes or their own insecurities. To Vermeer she is a "muse" to inspire him, even at the expense of exhausting her with too much work and endangering her position in the household. To his wife Catharina, Griet is a sneaky young upstart who coveted her man. To the children and servants Griet is a drudge without a life outside their house. To Veermeer's patron she is an easy victim for his advances. Even her own parents see her as nothing more than a means by which they could obtain meat and financial security through her engagement. Griet's feelings and precarious situation never enter anybody's mind save perhaps Vermeer's mother-in-law's. Her resulting loneliness and isolation gradually backs her into a corner where she has no other options but to play the game by rules she detests. Her reward is more slander and work.

I have no doubt that the scenario described in this book was a common problem for poor girls in this historical period. My objection is to its use as a device to manipulate the reader's sympathies. Do we need another story of yet one more victim of outdated patriarchal evils?

Worse, Vermeer is forever ruined for me. While as an art student I could appreciate his paintings on a purely aesthetic level, now I can't help but think about poor Griet and Chevalier's speculations of the stories behind them. It leaves a bitter aftertaste. I can now only think of Vermeer as a self-centered boor who just happpened to be blessed with extraordinary gifts.

Yes, GWAPE was well-written, enjoyable even. Though the last 100 pages I couldn't put it down. Yet, I will always be sorry now that I read it.
-Andrea, aka Merribelle

Rating:
Summary: Not quite there
Review: Although I enjoyed the story and characters quite a bit, there seemed to be something missing in this piece by Tracy Chevalier. It often seems that Chevalier is trying to convince the reader of Griet's innocence and naivety while it does not naturally exist in the character herself. It seems in some chapters that Griet is a chaste and innocent Protestant girl, while in other chapters Griet has no regard for the marriage of her master and mistress and wishes to commit the sin of adultery. This would normally make for a complex and thoroughly dynamic character but in this case, it is barely pulled off. Overall I thought the book was a nice, weekend read that did not live up to my literary expectations.

Rating:
Summary: I couldn¿t put it down
Review: This book was eloquently written; one of the best books I've read in awhile.

Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Book- Kept me captivated from start to finish
Review: WOW! What an exceptional masterpiece! I loved that book so much i'm aiming to read it more than a couple of times. I can't even move on to another book because all i can think about is "Girl with a Pearl Earring". IT IS BY FAR THE BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. I LOVE IT SOOOO MUCH. I even purchased the painting (which is framed in my room) and I also purchased the movie with Collin Firth (who by the way did a FANTASTIC job playing Vermeer, who i found as my FAVORITE character in the movie). APPLAUSE TO CHEVALIER WHO HAS DONE SUCH A WONDERFUL JOB ON THIS HEART LIFTING NOVEL.
-A Devoted Fan

Rating:
Summary: Interesting, boring ending
Review: Interesting, very light reading. I enjoyed reading the book - it's a good read for a summer day at the beach. The ending was a bit lacking.