Mad Soul Child
Written on Nov 8, 2019
The New York Times bestselling novel by the author of A Single Thread and At the Edge of the Orchard
Translated into thirty-nine languages and made into an Oscar-nominated film, starring Scarlett Johanson and Colin Firth
Tracy Chevalier transports readers to a bygone time and place in this richly-imagined portrait of the young woman who inspired one of Vermeer's most celebrated paintings.
History and fiction merge seamlessly in this luminous novel about artistic vision and sensual awakening. Girl with a Pearl Earring tells the story of sixteen-year-old Griet, whose life is transformed by her brief encounter with genius . . . even as she herself is immortalized in canvas and oil.
- ISBN10 0452282152
- ISBN13 9780452282155
- Publish Date 1 January 2001 (first published 16 August 1999)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Publisher Penguin Putnam Inc
- Imprint Penguin USA
- Format Paperback (US Trade)
- Pages 240
- Language English
- URL https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780452282155
Reviews
readingwithwrin
Written on Jan 6, 2018
This was a book that I've wanted to read but was also a little scared to read as it as a classic. I am so glad I decided to get the audiobook from the library which made it a little less daunting to me.
Girl with the pearl earring follows a young girl (Griet) who becomes a maid after her family falls on hard times. Who does she end up working for? Well, of course, the painter Vermeer who mostly keeps to himself and the house is run by his mother in law ( I think) as his wife is always taking care of the kids or dealing with a new pregnancy (she's pregnant multiple times throughout the book). Griet slowly starts getting more responsibility and makes friends with some of the staff, but also ends up struggling with Vermeer's children who get slightly jealous of her at times.
“It was not a house where secrets could be kept easily.”
Overall I did really like this book. It didn't really feel like a classic while I was listening to it. I loved learning about Vermeer and his art as I don't really know anything about art in general. Seeing everything through Griet's eyes was interesting as well as she had come from an art family already and knew how to do certain things which helped her in this house. The ending though I knew it was going to happen I wasn't excited about it. I was hoping for so much better for her as she was smart and knew a lot. I was glad that certain things didn't happen because it felt like it could go there at certain times because of creepy dudes.
If you're intimidated by this book because it's a modern classic don't be. It was really easy to read and follow along with.
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