Synopsis
This historical novel about the painter Vermeer is deeply immersed in he world of 17th century Holland. It concentrates on the triangular relationship between the Vermeer, his young model who is also a serving-maid in his household, and his jealous wife, Catharina.
Tracy Chevalier uses one of the greatest masterpieces in art history as the starting point for this ethereal novel, which conjures an unrequited love between Johannes Vermeer and Griet, his teenage maid. Millions have marveled at Vermeer's painting "Girl with a Pearl Earring," but no one knows the identity of the subject or why the style is so different from conventional portraits of the time. In Chevalier's rendering, each nuance of the work becomes further evidence of the unspoken passion between the genius painter, who remained unrecognized in his lifetime, and the girl who methodically cleaned his studio, under strict instruction to that everything must be placed back exactly as it was. As Griet becomes more and more involved in the life of her master, they form a unique kinship which takes them each beyond the dutiful love they feel towards their respective families. Chevalier supplements her riveting tale of impossible love by revealing the grueling processes hidden behind the pristine canvasses of 17th-century Dutch art.
| Details | | Publication Date: | 2001-12-01 | | Series: | Wheeler Large Print Book Series | | Edition Description: | Large Print |
| Size | | Height: | 9.0 in | | Width: | 6.0 in | | Thickness: | 0.8 in | | Weight: | 14.4 oz |
Industry Reviews
"Chevalier's exploration into the soul of this complex but naive young woman is moving, and her depiction of 17th-century Delft is marvelously evocative."
New York Times Book Review - Ruth Coughlin (01/23/2000)
"Tracy Chevalier has written a vibrant, sumptuous novel....Ms. Chevalier doesn't put a foot wrong in this triumphant work....It is a beautifully written tale that mirrors the elegance of the painting that inspired it."
Wall Street Journal - Kate Flatley (01/14/2000)
"This is a wonderful novel, mysterious, steeped in atmosphere and yet firmly rooted in the drudgery and denial of a servant's life. It is deeply revealing about the process of painting and is best read with a volume of Vermeer's paintings open beside you - it then becomes a truly magical experience."
Guardian (London) (08/07/1999)
"[A] delicately perceptive little novel....Chevalier draws the reader into the world of the painting, into the mood of the masterpiece she explores: moving, mysterious, at times almost unbearably poignant. Sometimes it seems so strong the reader can almost sense it, feel it breathing all around."
Times (London) (09/18/1999)
"[A]n engaging fictionalization....Fittingly, Chevalier's writing style adopts a painterly approach: The elegant prose evokes contemplation, the pace is slow and cumulative, the drama emotional rather than visceral. In other words, the world Chevalier so vividly captures is a far cry from the whirl and white noise of our own....Looking at the painting after having read the novel, the reader thinks, Yes, Chevalier got it right--that was the story hidden behind those eyes, silent for centuries."
San Francisco Chronicle Book Review - Andrew Roe (01/02/2000)
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