Book Review: Girl with a Pearl Earring

Title: Girl with a Pearl Earring

Author: Tracy Chevalier

ISBN: 978-0-00-723216-1

Published: Harper Collins, 1999

RRP: £7.99

Girl with a Pearl Earring, by Tracy Chevalier

Blurb:

When Griet becomes a maid in the household of the painter Johannes Vermeer, she thinks she knows her role: housework, laundry and the care of his six children. But as she becomes part of his world and his work, their growing intimacy spreads tension and deception in the ordered household and, as the scandal seeps out, into the town beyond.

Review:

Girl with a Pearl Earring falls under historical fiction, and is an excellent example of the genre. It is based around the painting of the same name by Johannes Vermeer, one that shows, as you would expect, a girl with a pearl earring. It is well-written, well-researched, and an intriguing novel.

The plot is fairly simple. Griet is a sixteen-year-old girl who has to work as a maid for the Vermeer family due to her father being unable to work as he was blinded in an accident. She is tasked with looking after the six (soon to be seven) children, doing the laundry, and other duties. However, when the master of the house takes an interest in Griet, the tension ramps up to an exciting climax at the end of the novel. Girl with a Pearl Earring applies to Vermeer’s painting a romantic conception. It is perhaps its simplicity that makes the plot so effective. It is easy to follow, and sweeps the reader along gently and with great skill.

The characters are realistic and varied. Griet, as the main character and the narrator of the novel, is likeable, if a little strange and prudent. Her psychological journey through going to a new home and falling in love with the master of the house is highly intriguing and very satisfying.

The two love-interests of the novel, the painter Johannes Vermeer and Pieter the butcher, are equally likeable, but both extremely different. Vermeer is fascinating and protective over Griet, but the reader knows he shouldn’t act on his feelings for her. Pieter, on the other hand, is less fascinating, but may ultimately be better for Griet. Both Griet and the reader have to come to their own conclusions over which man she should choose.

The women of the house form the main antagonists of the novel. Tanneke is a fellow maid, and has a changeable disposition towards Griet; she is easily offended and highly loyal her mistress. Maria Thins is the elderly matriarch-type of the house, and appears to help Griet in a very strict way. Cornelia, one of the young daughters, is spiteful, and it quickly becomes apparent that this is the character we are to hate most. Catharina is Vermeer’s wife, and distrusts Griet. She is the one that Griet must step carefully around; she is her mistress, and her master’s wife. All of these characters have their own agendas that either help or hinder Griet during the course of the book, and make for some rather surprising developments.

The style of the novel is excellent. It is not split into chapters, but there are frequent breaks between scenes that allow you to pick up and read at your leisure. The language is appropriate to the genre and the time in which the novel is set (1664-1676), yet not archaic. There are some intelligent and poetic metaphors used that bring the world to life without getting bogged down in the details.

Overall, an excellent book that I would recommend to anybody interested in modern literary fiction, art, or dangerous romance. It is an enjoyable and intriguing read.

Ratings:

Character: 9/10

Plot: 9/10

Style: 9/10

Overall: 9/10