March 2010 meeting

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The novel

Girl With A Pearl Earring

by
Tracy Chevalier

This thoroughly engaging novel follows the life-changing experiences of quiet Griet over the two years she serves the Delft painter, Johannes Vermeer. It is hard not to like this good and obedient protagonist, for she struggles with universal yearnings such as love and an escape from poverty. Her life is a fairly solitary one as she finds herself growing apart from her family while living as an outsider in another's home.

The Vermeer family, with the exception of the painter himself, is not fond of the strange Protestant girl; and as Maria Thins, the grandmother, says, "Never so much trouble with a maid before." The real trouble comes, however, when the artist takes a liking to the young girl and allows her to assist him in his work. Griet is granted the privilege that no other family member has - helping Vermeer in his studio. Not even his wife Catharina is allowed to enter the studio, so this arrangement causes a great deal of tension within the household.

Griet begins her work by cleaning the various still life objects that Vermeer will paint later that day. She is also given the responsibility of grinding the paints and even purchasing the colours from the apothecary.

As if these "privileges" were not causing enough disquietude within the family, matters only get worse when Vermeer agrees, at a friend's request, to paint Griet. The moments in which Vermeer paints Griet are the most spellbinding of the book. We feel Griet's nervous emotions as she sits as still as possible under the close eye of the awe-inspiring man she has grown to love.

Her inner struggle is augmented by jealous Pieter, the butcher's son, who has made no secret of his intention to marry Griet. The young maid, however, seems devoted only to her master and obeys his every wish. When he tells her to wear his wife's pearl earrings for the painting, Griet agrees even though she knows it will lead to her downfall.

This novel was put forward for discussion by Niek.

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Opinions

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Tips for teachers

Arno's tip: DVD Seven Ages Of Britain BBC TV series revealing the seven great ages of British culture, uncovering and exploring over 2000 years of extraordinary artistic achievements.
Cees's tip: Audiobook Moby Dick (Abridged) by Herman Melville Narrator William Hootkins brings whale-hunting Captain Ahab, the symbol of fanatical obsession, to vivid life.
Ellen's tip: Letter collection Love Letters Of Great Men And Women by Ursula Doyle (editor) A wonderful collection of timeless love letters including those of Beethoven, Mozart, Keats, Van Gogh, and many more.
Elly's tip: Novel The Shakespeare Curse by J.L. Carrell Action-packed page-turner, blending present-day crime with revelations from the life and work of Shakespeare.
Madelon's tip: Novel Shalimar The Clown by Salman Rushdie The tale of two Kashmiri villages whose inhabitants gradually get caught up in communal violence.
Marije's tip: Short story collection Naked by David Sedaris A riotous collection of memoirs which explores the absurd hilarity of modern life.
Niek's tip: Novel The Einstein Girl by Philip Sington Atmospheric and elegantly written historical novel that winds its way through the shadows of Einstein's blinding genius.