Girl with a Pearl Earring

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It's a hit!

For the longest time now, I've admired the actual painting "Girl with a Pearl Earring," finding something deep in her eyes and her face, seeming to... (show more)

For the longest time now, I've admired the actual painting "Girl with a Pearl Earring," finding something deep in her eyes and her face, seeming to express every emotion from deep sadness to extreme happiness. What makes the painting even more appealing is the fact that the subject and the events around the painting are unknown. This book attempts to recreate the events, in a melodramatic way, that led up to the painting's creation. The book is a commentary on many things, though none of them are followed through like bloodhounds on a scent: the painter, Vermeer, sees the maid - who he paints - as just that, a painting, and once the painting is done, he admires her no more. It is also about coming of age, with the young girl growing up in the pathetic state of being the maid to an abusive household where no one, not even the painter who prides her so much, will help her explain herself for anything. The recreation of 1660s Delft, Holland life is also spot-on, written in brief and concise words, never elaborate and flourishing, but straightforward and in a matter-of-fact tone. In the end, this book ended up being nearly as alluring as the painting...and what a pity, the subject of the painting never is privileged to see the finished painting. (show less)

 

 

by John Worth

No, it's a flop!

Easy reading but well written and gives a sense of 17th Century Life in Holland.

I wondered if I'd like this after seeing the film when it came ... (show more)

Easy reading but well written and gives a sense of 17th Century Life in Holland.

I wondered if I'd like this after seeing the film when it came out a while back. I don't usually find the film before the book works well, because I'm distracted or annoyed by the parts I find the film left out, but it was fine. This was probably because I've forgotten quite a lot about the film!

This is the third TC novel I've ended up reading this year. They are easy reads but you somehow don't feel 'dirty' like when you read others!

Without giving anything away I loved the final slap ten years later! (show less)

 

 

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  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 diffe... (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 on Nov 22, 2009 at 10:00PM

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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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