Ever since reading a non-fiction book about the art forger Han Van Meegeren, I´ve been fascinated by Jan Vermeer and his paintings. So it was only a matter of time before I would pick up Girl With a Pearl Earring and I´m glad I did. Overall I enjoyed this novel about the maid Griet, who becomes the muse of Vermeer and inspires him to the well-known painting.
Admittedly, the narration is slow and subdued, the plot isn´t the most intricate one and I can´t say that I particularly liked Griet and all her troubles with the Vermeer family. But then there are the passages about Vermeer and his paintings which I thoroughly enjoyed.
The book is not a perfect novel, but it´s been really nice to revisit Vermeer´s work and my desire to see the actual painting (who is exhibited in Mauritshuis in Den Haag) has been rekindled.
I´ve read this book for the Waterworks square for Booklikes-opoly. Besides Girl With a Pearl Earring there is another famous painting of Vermeer on the cover, View of Delft. And this painting displays a stretch of water.
Page Count: 233 pages
Money earned: $6.00
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