This novel is a fictional story about the iconic painting, which now resides in Amsterdam, Netherlands. I love how Tracy Chevalier took the ambiguous expression on the girls face and created a whole story behind it. If you’re ever looking for a book that demonstrates similes, look no further. Girl with a Pearl Earring is full of them, especially in the beginning of the book. Tracy Chevalier’s writing style uses unique similes to depict the characters and setting of this 17th century novel. In the beginning of this book, this quality fills the reader’s imagination with captivating detail. However, the similes aren’t the best part of the novel. The repressed scandal among the characters is what made me not want to put this book down. The book is bursting at the seams with tension.
This is all made palpable through the lens of the main character, Griet. She's a sixteen year old girl who possesses an impressive social intuition that I certainly did not have at that age. After her father goes blind and stops working, she starts out as a maid for a well-known artist, Johannes Vermeer, and his family. Throughout the novel, the reader is taken through the mundane functions among the household, as Griet gradually becomes his muse. However, the writing itself is anything but mundane.
The way Tracy Chevalier illustrates the subtle and restrained behavior among the housemaids and family members is what makes this book hard to put down. The dialogue is excellent and captures all the subtle body language and tones to create the tension. However, it’s what isn’t said in this book that makes you want to read just one more page. If you look at the big picture of the story, there aren’t many major events happening. The way that the tension is woven into tiny everyday details among the characters is what makes this exceptional writing. We already know four W ’s of the painting: Who, What, When, and Where. We know that Vermeer ends up painting the maid, since she’s the painting that is on the cover. But through the subtle events that take place, we unravel the how. We learn how Vermeer gradually warms up to Griet and eventually trusts her with his painting supplies and even paints a portrait of her.
One thing I found interesting about this book is how Griet refers to everyone by name, except Vermeer. Throughout the novel, she refers to him as he and him, yet the reader knows exactly who she's talking about. The only reason I can think of for her to use such indirect and impersonal language toward him is to detach herself from the shame of feeling affection toward a married man.
Similes ⬇️
⬆️ Indirect Reference to Vermeer as "He/Him."
⬆️Tense dialogue among characters
⬆️ Tension shown in subtle form that keeps the reader captivated
Thanks for reading my book review,
Laura