Why I chose to read this book:
1. a GR friend's review encouraged me to add this book to my WTR list;
2. since I recently read a different HF with a Dutch setting, this book went right up to the top of my list; and,
3. September 2022 is "Historical Fiction Month" for me.

Praise (only one!):
Another story based on a piece of artwork (think A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline)! Author Tracy Chevalier's research effectively took me back in time to the Dutch Golden Age of the 1600s. I felt like I was living along the streets and canals of Delft, Holland, seeing the tile makers working at their kilns, and meeting famed artist, Johannes Vermeer as well as other notable Dutchmen. The view of the art world, including famous paintings, visualizing colors in various objects, and learning about the intriguing methods for making paint were all vividly described.

BIG NIGGLE:
Why do authors insist on using the trope of making the wife such a b*tch in order for the reader to rally behind the "innocent" poor girl?
In this story, fictional MC, Griet, because of her attention to detail, is hired to assist Vermeer by cleaning his studio, among other household chores. It may surprise many readers, but I had more empathy for Vermeer's wife, Catharina, than I did for that young upstart! First of all, Griet comes across as pretty "high-falutin'" for an uneducated maid, not only in her speech, but she even makes suggestions to Vermeer on how he should paint a scene! But because of all the weird "secrecy", I could clearly imagine what was going through Catharina's mind when she saw that painting! Besides the rage at seeing her earring in this girl's ear, the idea of "Just what the h*ll was going on between my husband and her?" would be first and foremost in her thoughts. Griet was constantly imagining that Vermeer had the hots for her, so I had to laugh when she thinks that Catharina distrusts her "for no particular reason"! Ha! Call it women's intuition, because ALL the women didn't like her (yet ALL the men are infatuated with her.) And what was up with her being so afraid to show her hair? I expected something heartbreaking, but nope! She just has long, luxurious hair. Whoopee!
Overall, Griet's actions and reactions to various characters and situations were not only unlikable, but so over-the-top unbelievable!
And as for Vermeer's character - he is such an enigma! Although I saw glimpses of his artistic vision, I would have liked his character to be more fleshed out.

Overall Thoughts:
Chevalier chose an interesting premise by creating a story about this so-called "Dutch Mona Lisa". Her graphic descriptions of 17th century Delft, Holland were so lifelike. I only wish her "stock" characters were true to life as well.
I was really hoping to love this story!
Two ⭐⭐ = okay read = I'll be donating this to my library's book sale!

Recommendation?
Read this book if you like:
- light historical fiction;
- artistic creations using color and light; and/or,
- young things chasing after your man!

Girl with a Pearl Earring, Tracy Chevalier

Girl with a Pearl Earring is a 1999 historical novel written by Tracy Chevalier. Set in 17th century Delft, Holland, the novel was inspired by Delft school painter Johannes Vermeer's painting Girl with a Pearl Earring. Chevalier presents a fictional account of Vermeer, the model, and the painting. The novel was adapted into a 2003 film of the same name and a 2008 play.

Sixteen-year-old Griet lives with her family in Delft in 1664. Her father has been recently blinded in an accident, and the family's precarious economic situation forces Griet's parents to find her employment as a maid in painter Johannes Vermeer's household.

Becoming a maid casts doubt on Griet's respectability because of the bad reputation that maids have for stealing, spying and sleeping with their employers. It is not revealed how much of this reputation is earned.

At the Vermeers, she befriends the family's oldest daughter, Maertge, but is not on good terms with Cornelia, one of Vermeer's younger daughters. She also becomes friendly with Tanneke, the other house servant, but is careful to remain modest and unobtrusive for fear of making Tanneke jealous. ...

تاریخ نخستین خوانش: ماه نوامبر سال 2001میلادی

عنوان: دختری با گوشواره مروارید؛ نویسنده: تریسی شوالیه؛ مترجم: گلی امامی؛ تهران، نشر چشمه، 1380 در 237ص؛ موضوع داستانهای نویسندگان آمریکایی بریتانیا - سده 20م

عنوان: دختری با گوشواره مروارید؛ نویسنده: تریسی شوالیه؛ مترجم: طاهره صدیقیان؛ تهران، کتابسرای تندیس، 1381، در 269ص، شابک9789645757401؛

نقاشی روی جلد کتاب را، «یوهانس ورمیر»، در سده ی هفدهم میلادی کشیده است، حدس‌ها برای شناسایی نام این مدل نقاشی، بسیار گسترده بوده؛ و همه ی آنها، به علت عدم وجود مشخصه‌ ای ویژه، در «صورت»، «لباس»، یا حتی «محیط»، در حد حدس و گمان، باقیمانده‌ است؛ از جمله ی حدسها، به «ماریا ورمیر (دختر بزرگ یوهانس)»، «مدلینا ون رویژون (دختر دوست و حامی یوهانس، پیتر ون رویژون)»، و یا مدل گمنامی، که در خانه ی «ورمیر» به عنوان پیشخدمت کار می‌کرد، میتوان اشاره کرد؛ جدای از همه ی این حسها و تفاسیر، این اثر نقاشی از معدود آثاری است، که الهامبخش بسیاری از نویسندگان، نقاشان و فیلمسازان در سده ها پس از شکل گیریش بوده‌ است؛ از جمله همین نویسنده «تریسی شوالیه» نیز تحت تاثیر همین نقاشی، این داستان را آفریده است؛

داستان در «دلف»، شهر محل اقامت نقاش، و خانواده‌ اش رخ می‌دهد؛ رمان جایی آغاز می‌شود، که «یوهانس ورمر» و همسرش «کاتارینا»، به خانه‌ ی پدر و مادر «گرت» می‌آیند، تا او را ببینند؛ آن‌ها به دنبال خدمتکاری برای خانه شان می‌گردند؛ پدر «گرت» کاشی سازی است، که بر اثر حادثه‌ ای، بینایی خویش را از دست داده، و از کار افتاده شده؛ خانواده‌ ی «گرت» در شرایط اقتصادی بسیار بدی به سر می‌برند، بنابراین تصمیم می‌گیرند، دخترک شانزده ساله، به عنوان خدمتکار، مشغول کار شود؛ «گرت» دختری مذهبی است، و از اینکه باید به خانه‌ ی کاتولیک‌ها برود، احساس چندان خوشایندی ندارد؛ خانواده‌ ی «ورمر» موافقت کرده‌ اند، او روزهای یکشنبه، به خانه ی خویش برگردد؛ در ادامه‌ ی داستان، «گرت» توجه ارباب را به خود جلب می‌کند، و اجازه پیدا می‌کند، کارگاه نقاشی ارباب را، تمیز کند؛ از آنجایی که «یوهانس ورمر» اجازه‌ ی ورود اعضای خانه، به کارگاهش را نمی‌دهد، این مسئله، حساسیت برانگیز می‌شود؛ تا اینکه نقاش، تصمیم می‌گیرد، پرتره‌ ی دخترک را نقاشی کند، او از «گرت» می‌خواهد گوشواره‌های مروارید همسرش را، بیاویزد، و به جای مدل بنشیند...؛

نقل از متن: (حرف‌هایش باعث حیرت من شد، اما وقتی به چشمانش نگاه کردم، و در آنها گرسنگی را دیدم، دریافتم که چرا غرورش را، کنار گذاشته است، این گرسنگی را، پسر یک قصاب می‌توانست بر طرف کند

دست کم در مورد دروغی که جلوتر گفته بودم؛ سئوالی نکرد؛ نمی‌توانستم به آنها بگویم، چرا «تانِکی» از من عصبانی است؛ آن دروغ، دروغی بسیار بزرگتر را پنهان می‌کرد؛ مجبور می‌شدم بیش از اندازه توضیح دهم؛ «تانِکی» فهمیده ‌بود بعد از ظهرها که می‌بایست مشغول خیاطی باشم، چکار می‌کنم

من به ارباب کمک می‌کردم

دو ماه پیش شروع شده بود؛ بعد از ظهری در ماه ژانویه، کمی بعد از تولد «فرانسیسکو»؛ هوا سرد بود؛ «فرانسیسکو» و «یوهان» هر دو بیمار بودند؛ سرفه می‌کردند، و به سختی نفس می‌کشیدند؛ «کاتارینا» و دایه کنار آتش رختشویخانه به آنها رسیدگی می‌کردند، و بقیه ی ما نزدیک آتش آشپزخانه نشسته بودیم

فقط او آنجا نبود؛ بالا بود؛ به نظر نمی‌رسید که سرما بر او تاثیر بگذارد

کاتارینا آمد و در درگاه میان آشپزخانه و رختشویخانه ایستاد؛ گفت: «کسی باید به عطاری برود»؛ صورتش سرخ شده بود: «مقداری دارو برای پسرها می‌خواهم»؛ مستقیما به من نگاه می‌کرد

معمولا من، آخرین نفری بودم، که برای چنین کاری، انتخاب می‌شدم؛ رفتن به عطاری، مثل خرید از قصابی، یا ماهی‌ فروشی نبود، وظایفی که «کاتارینا»، پس از تولد «فرانسیسکو»، همچنان به عهده‌ ی من، گذاشته بود؛ عطار، پزشکی مورد احترام بود، و «کاتارینا» و «ماریاتین»، دوست داشتند، خودشان به آنجا بروند؛ چنین تجملی برای من، مجاز نبود؛ هرچند در هوای به این سردی، هر وظیفه‌ ای، به کم اهمیت‌ترین عضو خانه سپرده می‌شد؛ برای اولین بار، «مرته» و «الیزابت»، نخواستند مرا همراهی کنند؛ خودم را در شنل و شالی پشمی، پیچیدم، و «کاتارینا» به من گفت، از عطار، گل خشک اقطی، بخرم؛ «کورنلیا» در اطرافم می‌چرخید، و مرا تماشا می‌کرد، که گوشه‌ های شال را به هم گره می‌زدم...)؛ پایان نقل

تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 04/10/1399هجری خورشیدی؛ 25/06/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی

این کتابو دوست داشتم نه بخاطریوهان ورمر یا گرییت، بلکه بخاطر اینکه اطلاعات جالبی از قرن هفدهم هلند فهمیدم. اینکه مرئم زندگیشون چطور بوده، چطور فکر میکردن و صد البته بخاطر اینکه کم و بیش اطلاعاتی در مورد نقاشی و تابلوهای یوهان ورمر میداد.


****
واسم جالب بود که خیلی من این نقاشی رو دیده بودم ولی هیچ کنجکاوی بابتش نکرده بودم، بعد خوندن این کتاب در مورد این نقاشی کلی سرچ کردم و چیزای خیلی جالبی فهمیدم. یه فیلمم هست با این اسم اونم دانلود کردم هنوز ندیدمش ولی :دی

ولی سوال مهم اینه: عشق اونا دو طرفه بود یا یک طرفه؟

Delicato come una pennellata, intenso come il blu oltremare. L’arte e la narrazione di mescolano come olio e pigmenti, rivelando mille sfumature: i quadri di Vermeer prendono vita, si rivelano, diventano i personaggi di contorno alla protagonista.
Visto le poche informazioni che abbiamo sulla vita del pittore, questa è una bellissima leggenda a cui è un piacere credere.

La storia della nascita del quadro più famoso di Vermeer ci viene raccontata dalla sua modella.
Siamo nel 1664. Griet è una giovane donna, figlia di un decoratore di piastrelle protestante di Delft. Obbligata dalle circostanze economiche precarie della famiglia, si vede costretta a lasciarla per andare a servizio presso un’altra più agiata: quella cattolica del pittore Jan Vermeer.

Griet china la testa e accetta il suo destino. Lavora duramente, sostituisce la fantesca Tanneke nelle mansioni più faticose, cerca di mantenere salda la sua fede, resiste ai dispetti di una delle figlie del pittore, sopporta le angherie di sua moglie e si ammanta di un timore reverenziale verso il suo padrone, il quale l’ha incaricata di pulire l’atelier in cui dipinge.

Così la sua esistenza si divide in due: fuori dalla casa c’è la vita vera, la sua famiglia e il figlio del macellaio che le fa la corte. Dentro, invece, nell’atelier, c’è un mondo ovattato fatto di silenzi e pose; è il luogo più gelido dell’abitazione ma nonostante questo Griet ne ricava sempre un gran calore, soprattutto quando c’è il suo padrone con lei. Non sa perchè. Sa solo che lì si sente libera.

Si tiene tutto dentro, Griet, dalle grida ai sospiri. I suoi gesti sono cadenzati e misurati tanto più è grande la passione che la muove. Dietro le gote pallide del viso sempre chino sulle faccende domestiche brucia un fuoco, scarlatto come i capelli che tiene segregati sotto la cuffia e che non mostra mai a nessuno.

Ma Griet non è soltanto una domestica. Ha un’anima artistica, va oltre le apparenze, sa cogliere il significato dei dettagli. Vermeer se ne accorge.
Si nutre del talento della ragazza tanto da volerla come aiutante nel suo atelier, tanto da affidarle la macinatura dei colori, tanto da interessarsi al suo parere così come il più facoltoso dei mecenati di Vermeer – Van Ruijven – si interessa alla sua bellezza carnale e gli ordina un suo ritratto, a tutti i costi.

Griet e Vermeer si trovano costretti ad accontentarlo, in segreto. Passano ore a guardarsi negli occhi senza dirsi niente, rivelando tutto. Superano insieme la linea che non avrebbero dovuto nemmeno calpestare, e così facendo consegnano alla storia un quadro perfetto e iconico.
Ma certe scelte si trascinano dietro conseguenze inevitabili. E il destino di Griet, ancora una volta, viene messo in gioco.

Strange that I have never read this before, nor have I seen the film. I don’t know much about Vermeer but as I was reading this I kept looking at the paintings online as they were described. I loved the detail about the lighting,techniques, the colours , how the colours were made.
Griet, a teenage maid becomes the model for his most famous painting . Told from her point of view , the hard work of the maids in a household is told in detail. Sounds boring but I was engrossed, as her fascination with the painter grows (her master, though she finds it hard to name him), and he in turn is fascinated by her as she also seems to have an eye for what works in his paintings.
This was well written, and the attention to detail including customs (paternity cap!), religion, clothing, the markets etc was wonderful.

Enjoyable though thoroughly disposable historical novel. Central character is a servant in the house of golden age Dutch painter Jan Vermeer and is used as the model for the painting 'Girl with a pearl earring'. Plainly the story has a niceness to it - the private story behind the public painting, but doesn't have anything more to offer than that.

In a way I think it demonstrates the risks or the problem of historical fiction - which hating a void inserts itself in the lives of the obscure, creating a story, or explanations often were there is obscurity or indeed silence. Such stories like a Pseudoscience may not be disprovable - because so many lives are silent - but that does not mean they are true or plausible.

So for me this is less fun than Vermeer and His Milieu: A Web of Social History and I don't think that even I can claim that the book inspired this although I was amused by this article

I slowed my pace. Years of hauling water, wringing out clothes, scrubbing floors, emptying chamberpots, with no chance of beauty or color or light in my life, stretched before me like a landscape of flat land where, a long way off, the sea is visible but can never be reached. If I could not work with the colors, if I could not be near him, I did not know how I could continue to work in that house.

Poor Griet just wants to anchor herself in the orbit of Vermeer and his otherworldly (but also beautifully ordinary) paintings, but circumstances and even Vermeer himself will come to make that impossible.

Not much is known about Jan Vermeer's life. He married a woman from a wealthy family and converted to Catholicism (an unusual thing in 17th century Holland) and lived well, if beyond his means, for a time as a painter and art dealer. He lived in Delft, Holland all his life, rarely leaving it, and died in debt, exacerbated by the drop in patronage during the Franco-Dutch War, in 1675. He only painted 35 (or 34, depending who you read) paintings, with a few others whose attribution cannot be established.

Because we don't know a lot about Vermeer's life (and much less about most of the young women who sat for him), this is a fictionalized imagining of how one of his most famous paintings came to be.

When teenage Griet's father is blinded in an accident, she is sent to be a live-in maid at the Vermeer household. Life there isn't easy: Vermeer's wife takes an immediate disliking to her, one of the daughters is a malicious brat, the other maid resents her, Griet misses her family whom she now can only see on Sundays, the family is Catholic which her Protestant backbone finds vaguely distressing, and the work is back-breaking.

What makes it bearable are the paintings. Griet, the daughter of a tile painter, has an eye for light and color. As she learns to mix raw materials to make his pigments and watches his subjects evolve daily on the easel, they develop a kinship. Alas, this also sows the seeds of her eventual departure.

Poor Griet is too smart to be a maid and too lacking in other options. Like countless, nameless people throughout history, she is forced to work a job she hates and be entirely dependent on the capricious impulses of the wealthy. She is groped by Vermeer's patron, used as a pawn by Vermeer's mother-in-law, and ultimately seen as little more than a prop by Vermeer himself.

I wasn't sure while reading this if it was a three or four star read, but I feel this book is going to stay in my head for a while so four stars, what the heck.

The author's website has images of the paintings mentioned in this book.

My birthday gift from a friend, rare happened because very tricky to buy a book for someone else, but I know why she did. GIRL WITH PEARL EARRING is a beautiful story, engaging, well-drawn characters, art and historically interesting.
The story is about one painting, a young girl who forces to works as a maid in Johannes Vermeer's house (1632-1675), a Dutch painter. I think this book is more than a love story, the only reason I give 4.5 is the end of it, but it is not disappointing after all. My friend knew that I would enjoy it a lot. Highly recommended.

یک داستان خوب و ساده. یک 3 از 5 واقعی

داستان در واقع یک قصه ساختگی برای نقاشی معروف "دختری با گوشواره مروارید"، اثر نقاش معروف هلندی، "یوهانس ورمیر" هستش، که بنظر من از این نظر که تونسته بود ریتم آرام اما پیوسته کتاب رو در سرتاسر کتاب حفظ کنه، کتاب موفق و شایسته احترامیه.

اگر یک کتاب ملو و روون می‌خواید که نه مثل کتاب‌های زرد روی اعصاب باشه، نه هیچ چالش بخصوصی در خوندن وجود داشته باشه، یک کتابی که بتونه از کرختی توی کتاب خوندن درتون بیاره؛ یا اگر میخواید یک هدیه محافظه‌کارانه به کسی بدید، این کتاب می‌تونه یک انتخاب بسیار عالی باشه.


پ.ن: صوتیش رو گوش کردم با صدای خود مترجم، خانم گلی امامی، صداشون خیلی خوب نیست اما انصافا خوب خوند.

This book is so amazing!!
I enjoyed from beginning till end. It's like classic literature + Downton Abbey-ish. Not long story. It's just 260 pages. But very sensitive and so much emotion in this story.

I borrowed from library, but I would like to buy printed book.

I avoided this book because I had seen most of the movie and heard it was a good adaptation but then I discovered another Chevalier book and decided to backtrack... I'm glad I did.

What a wonderful book-- captures the essence of a young girl's first infatuation and the disappointment of reality. It also captured the time period artfully-- and I loved the character of Griet and how she grew in the short time the book covered.

I was slightly disappointed in the ending-- I think it would have been more powerful to leave the reader with the choice of which path Griet's life would take her.

Another plus-- this was a quick read, despite the languid descriptions, it was only a few hundred pages-- perfect for turning off the TV early!

(Reviewed 2/24/09)

بسم الله...
تا سر فرصت بنشینم و درباره اش بنویسم، همین را بگویم که دوستش داشتم و از آن رمان هایی است که ارزش های اخلاقی و انسانی اروپا و افولش و فرهنگ واقعی کوچه و خیابانشان را نشان می دهد.

و برای آن هایی که مثل من همیشه شیفته ی نقاشی هم بوده اند، ترکیب رمان و نقاشی یک ترکیب مسحور کننده است :)ا

26/11/99