Reviews - Girl with the pearl earring

2.63k reviews for:

Girl with the pearl earring

Tracy Chevalier

3.74 AVERAGE

paneefantasia's review against another edition

4.5

relaxing fast-paced

margaret31595's review against another edition

5.0

reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

lucireadsgoodbooks's review against another edition

3.75

reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

occupiedbear's review against another edition

3.0

emotional informative reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

kecskestimi's review against another edition

4.5

emotional informative tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

wotde's review against another edition

2.5

informative inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

I don't know art and picking up this book was something out of my usual comfort zone. This is the first time reading a novel that interpreted a famous painting, creating fictional model and person behind Vermeer's painting. It definitely sent me searching for his paintings and reading a little more about his works. The novel was surprisingly easy to read. It was an immersive world, despite the simple words and straightforward narrative. I was easily drawn into the world, through the perspective of Griet, a young maid who displayed this unspoken, emotional attachment to Vermeer.

Do you think Griet was typical of other girls her age? In what ways? How did she differ? Did you find her compassionate or selfish? Giving or judgmental?

Yes, I feel like she had the kind of youthfulness, curiosity and spark of boldness that girls at the coming-of-age would have. Perhaps at times she seem a little impulsive, and at times a little inexperienced. She was quick to slap Cornelia, and did not know how to properly deal with this child, letting her slyness cause her trouble several times. She was able to stand her ground and say "no" to her master when he asked her to take off her cap. Perhaps this was out of a youthful defiance, or a matured sense of self-esteem that did not allow her to sacrifice her own choices for a person of authority. I think she was selfish at times, but in my opinion, Vermeer was the most selfish character thus far. He did everything for his painting and for his art, without a second thought for what Griet might possibly go through. Neither did he considered the feelings and thoughts of his own wife and family.