Girl with a Pearl Earring
discussion
what did you think
Was anyone else left with the impression (at the end of the book) that Jan and Frans had different fathers?
I loved the book. I like art and history and I am also very enthusiastic about books that take reality and give it a twist in a very interesting story. This was one such book Vermeer is one of my favorite (I have been to every museum in Netherlands that has his works) and it just made me think what was it about him and his mysterious ways that gave us such masterpieces :)
Talia wrote: "what did you guys think of the book ?"I thought it was a great read for many reasons. Most importantly it gave insight to the daily lives of those living in Amsterdam at that time. It also addressed the messy issues of relationships and roles in a believable way. To say nothing of the connection to an important painting of the time (and artist)
I enjoyed the book. I also loved the movie.
Lovely book, beautifully written. I can never look at Vermeer's painting without remembering it.
Judy wrote: "Talia wrote: "what did you guys think of the book ?"I thought it was a great read for many reasons. Most importantly it gave insight to the daily lives of those living in Amsterdam at that time...."
Judy,
it is in Delft not Amsterdam :)
Ralitsa wrote: "Judy wrote: "Talia wrote: "what did you guys think of the book ?"I thought it was a great read for many reasons. Most importantly it gave insight to the daily lives of those living in Amsterdam ..."
right... as I was typing that I said "amsterdam or....???" Thanks for noting the correct location!
I'm kind of confused... Are they having an affair or not?! At times, it seems like they are, like when she said Tanneke found her "assisting" him. What is "assisting" supposed to imply? Or is it just, she really is, like, modeling for him? I thought two things when I read that, one; that they were "fooling around," for lack of better words. Two, she is modeling for him. But then later, she was supposed to put the stuff from the apothecary at the door so she wouldn't disturb him and the model! WHAT? I am so confused it's not even funny....
Sorry, "they" meaning Vermeer and Greit...
Lauren wrote: "I'm kind of confused... Are they having an affair or not?! At times, it seems like they are, like when she said Tanneke found her "assisting" him. What is "assisting" supposed to imply? Or is it just, she really is, like, modeling for him? I thought two things when I read that, one; that they were "fooling around," for lack of better words. Two, she is modeling for him. But then later, she was supposed to put the stuff from the apothecary at the door so she wouldn't disturb him and the model! WHAT? I am so confused it's not even funny.... "No affair, but there is attraction and longing between them. "Assisting" means that Greit mixes Vermeer's paints and obtains supplies as required. She models for the one painting (that the title refers to), but assists for many others. Vermeer has people other than Greit modeling for those many other paintings.
Wow. Not sure how Vermeer was 'smeared' by this? Please explain.Stacey wrote: "Too bad the author smeared one of the few masters that focused on family and tried to twist his works into something cheap for others entertainment. Not trying to offend anyone for liking it on an..."
Brisa wrote: "i have mixed feelings about it. i don't know if i love it or i hate it. while your reading it you wait for them to have an affair that never happens, which is good but i thought there was going to ..."
I loved this book! I love art, and this was refreshing and new.
I really liked the book, but it was different from what I thought it would be. The blurb on the back of the back made it sound like that there would be more of a scandal. But as soon as there was a confrontation about the painting, Griet left and it jumped ahead to her being married with children.I still enjoyed it though. I loved the descriptions of how Vermeer was creating his paintings.
I loved this book. It is worth to read. It was amazing... The girl is fine and the reality of life is reflected clearly. What a pity for the Lord..
vermmer loves her but his biggest love is painting....and because of that in the end of the book gave her the pearl earrings.... he wanted to share with her one part of himself.....love that book...
Hated it. Couldn't wait for it to end.
Liked the book and the movie. The movie was like a Vermeer come to life.
it's brillliant ..........the story is perfect
Martha wrote: "Liked the book and the movie. The movie was like a Vermeer come to life."Could not agree more
Talia wrote: "what did you guys think of the book ?"I think it had a quiet kind of brilliance, and was full of emotion without being sentimental. I was completely there with her all the way. Historical writing at a great level.
An Army of JudithsC.J. Underwood
Stacey wrote: "Too bad the author smeared one of the few masters that focused on family and tried to twist his works into something cheap for others entertainment. Not trying to offend anyone for liking it on an..."Stacey, I don't think the artist was smeared. It showed how artists had to sell their soul to the highest bidder, then paint that wealthy sponsor's family ad nauseum. It showed how hard it was for any artist, no matter how good, during that time period.
Mind you, not much has changed these days. Many artists sell products to earn a living. Some still do commissioned work. And many do mediocre, fast work because it sells and puts money in his pockets for other work that the artist WANTS to do. I saw this with a professor of mine back in the 80s. He would put two or three lines on the board and you had a silhouette! I cringed when he erased it! Yet, he was making these paintings of an all black background with one red line going down it because it was quick to make and sold fast.
Back to the book: I am pretty sure a great deal of research was done before the book was written. I know some people don't like to see their heroes as real life regular people with the same wants and needs as the rest of us, but that just isn't fair to our heroes.
Janice wrote: "Worth reading. Well worth remembering how a young girl can be "Trapped" by circumstances over which she has no control."
Good point. The girl was even more trapped than the artist, I guess. It's been years since I read this so the details have left me. What happened to her family?
P.S. The movie was one of those stunning pieces of art that make you want to laugh & cry at the same time.
I enjoyed it. I loved the deep friendship the main character had with Vermeer and the character developement was pretty good. I felt like I was sucked into the story and at the end of a book I adore the feeling of not wanting to close it. Great book.
I love this novel. Especially, I like the end of the story, very real.
Melissa & Salome, I agree with you both. It was a great story from beginning to end!
Salome wrote: "I love this novel. Especially, I like the end of the story, very real."Same here. When Griet is going through his gallery for the last time and says this is it. There will never be any more painting by Vermeer and then she gets really nostalgic. I loved that scene. I feel like that's how I would feel after seeing what was left behind. Such a very real reaction. Just sadness and retrospection. I loved it.
I did not like it. The story had no consequence at the end. She could have never been a maid and her future would have still been the same. I believe that she should have had a stronger relations with the painter, i felt like it was too distant.
Vermeer has always been one of my favourite painters -his use of colour and light is awesome. This book, which I enjoyed greatly, just added another dimension to my enjoyment of the paintings.
Equally enjoyable is Wings Over Delft for anyone interested in the paintings of the Dutch masters
Carol wrote: "I did not like it. The story had no consequence at the end. She could have never been a maid and her future would have still been the same. I believe that she should have had a stronger relations w..."Carol, I believe they were trying to make it as true to the reality as they could find, so they went with what they believe to have actually happened.
Talia wrote: "what did you guys think of the book ?"No sé si tu (Talia) abriste la discusión, pero gracias por preguntar. La Joven de la Perla, para mi una buena historia, disfruté mucho la lectura, no me esperaba ese final, pero supongo que la historia lo justificaba. La película también la vi y me gustó mucho, aún cuando no tenía algunos detalles importantes, la disfruté (los actores me parecieron magníficos en su interpretación). Creo que más adelante buscaré otras obras de Chevalier.
Gracias, Lheira. Buen addicion a la discussion. No sabe Ingles?Voy a tratar de regresar para traducir, pero no le prometo. Tengo mucho que' hacer: mi novela.
Thanks, Lheira. Good addition to the discussion. You don't know English? I will try to return to translate, but I can't promise. I have a lot to do: my novel.
Maggie wrote: "I agree with you entirely. I have read all the books you mention and I have also read and enjoyed other books by Tracy Chevalier - Falling Angels, The Lady and the Unicorn, Burning Bright and The ..."I'm a big fan of Tracy Chevalier - great reads
Remarkable Creatures is superb on the options available to single women in 1800s. Another book on this subject is Life Mask by Emma Donoghue, also based on a real person, if you are interested.
Maggie wrote: "I agree with you entirely. I have read all the books you mention and I have also read and enjoyed other books by Tracy Chevalier - Falling Angels, The Lady and the Unicorn, Burning Bright and The ..."I'm a big fan of Tracy Chevalier - great reads
Remarkable Creatures is superb on the options available to single women in 1800s. Another book on this subject is Life Mask by Emma Donoghue, also based on a real person, if you are interested.
Sherrie wrote: "Gracias, Lheira. Buen addicion a la discussion. No sabe Ingles?Voy a tratar de regresar para traducir, pero no le prometo. Tengo mucho que' hacer: mi novela.
Thanks, Lheira. Good addition to the d..."
Hello Sherry, do not speak English, I forgot to post my opinion the translation into English. Thanks for answering. Success with your novel.
Happy day!
Translation of my comment.
"I do not know if you (Talia) opened the discussion, but thanks for asking.'s Girl with a Pearl, for me a good story, I enjoyed reading, I did not expect that ending, but I guess the story warranted it. The film also saw and liked a lot, even when I had some important details, I enjoyed (the actors seemed magnificent in their interpretation). believe that later seek other works by Chevalier ".
Talia wrote: "what did you guys think of the book ?"I loved this book. I accept its a total work of fiction about what might have been. Historically, I do believe the setting is correct. Everything else is make believe and I'd say it's a wonderful work of imagination, beautifully crafted and evocative of the luminmous light of the paintings.
I would say that the painter's been "smeared" by the book. There wasn't really anything "bad" about the relationship between the maid and the painter, simply that he needed his painterly world to be separate.
Consider for example, the way the great American painter Andrew Wyeth painted his housekeeper.
I saw the movie first and immediately fell in love with the story. Once I read the book I got even more of the nuances that I missed in the movie. I thought that it was really well written and totally captured a love that was requited but not acted upon. The tension and the quite passion are beautiful. Definitely a book to read again and again.
I loved this book! Read it in one flight from Hawaii to Chicago and was totally entertained, taken away to another time. Didn't care too much for the movie, though.
I didn't like what I read. (I didn't finish it.)
If you love this book, you might want to read
. It is what made me want to read
June wrote: "i loved it. it was one of the most beatiful books i have ever read. i wish i could find more like it any one have any suggestions?"
Joan wrote: "Iesha wrote: "This book is a great! The story is very captivating and addictive."If you get a chance check your local library and get the movie , it's great"
Carol wrote: "I thought the book beautifully crafted and the background very atmospheric especially the constrained atmosphere of the painter's household and the delicate balance in the relationship between mast..."I agree with you, and thanks.
Genae wrote: "Being an art student i adored this book. Its a beautiful piece of literature to have in your collection."Yes, it is beautiful.
Bev wrote: "I loved it...can't wait to see the painting with my own eyes. Very interesting to create a story from a painting while weaving in facts about the master painter."True.
Every so often a special author comes along, and this is one of them!
Barbara wrote: "I did not know there was a movie. I am almost afraid to see it because the book was so beautiful that I don't want the images marred. Should I rent it or leave well enough alone?"If you keep in mind that actors cannot totally resemble the characters in a book, in their looks, you will enjoy the movie!
Brisa wrote: "i have mixed feelings about it. i don't know if i love it or i hate it. while your reading it you wait for them to have an affair that never happens, which is good but i thought there was going to ..."Thanks to all of you that answered my question.
I believe this part of the mystery of this novel.
It creates suspense in your anticipation of an affair in the book. However, the author had other ideas and hopes you loved it.
I know it was a period piece and a sign of the times but I was really pained with how much this young woman allowed men to control her life and make her choices....I didn't find her strong, and it annoyed me a great deal
I really liked it- the idea of taking a story from a painting ended up turning into a wonderful thought provoking plot line! Four stars:D
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That being said, it's beautifully written and the story and characters otherwise very well fleshed out.