Girl with a Pearl Earring

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It's a hit!

Unquestionably one of the best books I have ever read. Yes it was a bit awkward reading in the first person but it soon became a very pleasant expe... (show more)

Unquestionably one of the best books I have ever read. Yes it was a bit awkward reading in the first person but it soon became a very pleasant experience. Let’s face it, I have no interest in art whatsoever but despite that I found much of interest in this book. It contains a rich tapestry of historical detail of the daily lives of seventeenth century Dutch peasant folk. As a 21st century English peasant folk it almost felt like a story that could be about somebody like me but just in a different century. I found the characters very believable and was drawn in to caring for and despising various characters in the story. I especially liked the slightly transient and wholly realistic relationship between the main character and her brother. I read this book because I was drawn into the film. In my opinion the book is like an extended version of the film. Just as good, but longer. I would recommend this book to anyone. (show less)

 

 

by Facebook User

No, it's a flop!

I picked up this book for two reasons: first was its size. I was a bit of a vagabond at that point, and historical fictions tend to be thick and h... (show more)

I picked up this book for two reasons: first was its size. I was a bit of a vagabond at that point, and historical fictions tend to be thick and heavy. The other is, what could be more interesting than a book bringing a painting to life?

Sadly, I was rather disappointed with this one. There wasn't any feeling behind it. I think Chevalier spent so much time on her research that she forgot the story bit. There just wasn't any emotional connection to any of the characters.

Easy on the eyes, so to speak, but I won't be pursuing more of Chevalier's work, especially as many sources say that this was her best work. (show less)

 

 

by Mary Ashbury

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  I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a story about obsession and love, I think. The theme has been handled by several authors, but I think this was one of the better ones. It reminded me a bit about Kazuo Ishiguro's the Remains of the Day in the way that the story was so obviously subjective. Griet really downplays many of her feelings and omits a lot, I think, especially when it comes to "him" as she calls the painter. I thought the subjectivity played in nicely when she was telli... (show more)

  I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a story about obsession and love, I think. The theme has been handled by several authors, but I think this was one of the better ones. It reminded me a bit about Kazuo Ishiguro's the Remains of the Day in the way that the story was so obviously subjective. Griet really downplays many of her feelings and omits a lot, I think, especially when it comes to "him" as she calls the painter. I thought the subjectivity played in nicely when she was telling about her everyday life as well, how she looked down on Tanneke, but not seeing any flaws in herself. It makes it personal on a much higher level.

  I love how the author has managed to read so much into a painting, to make a complete book about it. She will, surely, have done research, but she made up personalities and characters, and I think she did it brilliantly!

  See more on BookCrossing: http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/5648205 (show less)

   

   

  by Facebook User on Nov 12, 2009 at 12:10AM

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  I read Girl With A Pearl Earring for the library book club. It's about the painter Johannes Vermeer (I actually remember studying him in middle school) and a maid that is hired to work in his home... I guess whole maid aspect is it is totally fiction, but I'm not really sure. I don't really even know what to say about it. At times, it was vaguely intriguing, but there wasn't enough action throughout the story to really draw me in.

  I took it that the maid, Griet, had a crush of sorts on Ve... (show more)

  I read Girl With A Pearl Earring for the library book club. It's about the painter Johannes Vermeer (I actually remember studying him in middle school) and a maid that is hired to work in his home... I guess whole maid aspect is it is totally fiction, but I'm not really sure. I don't really even know what to say about it. At times, it was vaguely intriguing, but there wasn't enough action throughout the story to really draw me in.

  I took it that the maid, Griet, had a crush of sorts on Vermeer. I found it strange that she never called him by name, even in her own thoughts (she always referred to the painter as "he" or "him"). I guess it was because she was in awe of Vermeer, which I found to be sort of puzzling... Since there's no real description of him as a character in the book, it's hard to understand exactly why it was really that Griet was so fascinated with him. None of the characters were very well developed.

  I guess more than anything, besides wthe element of the painter himself, this was intended to be a coming of age story. It could have worked, if only there had been more of an actual story to follow. (show less)

   

  by Miranda Cantrell James on Sep 24, 2009 at 12:35AM

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