Girl with a pearl earring book club

A most enjoyable read we at the book club will be recommending it to our. Girl with a pearl earring is the story of 16yearold griet, whose life is transformed by her brief encounter with genius, even as she herself is immortalized in canvas and oil. The girl with a pearl earring study guide contains a biography of tracy chevalier, 100 quiz questions, a glossary, major themes, a list of characters, and a full summary and analysis. 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. In many ways, the primary relationship in this novel appears to be between griet and vermeer. A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy. Tracy chevalier transports readers to a bygone time and place in this richlyimagined portrait of the young woman who inspired one of. Girl with a pearl earring book club questions reading groups for. It did at times feel a little slow, but that was okay by me. Snyder will lead the conversation on tracy chevaliers novel girl. The novel centers on griet, the protestant daughter of a delft tile painter who lost his sight in a kiln accident.

Set in 17th century delft, holland, the novel was inspired by delft school painter johannes vermeers painting girl with a pearl earring. Girl with a pearl earring by tracy chevalier book club. Girl with a pearl earring tells the story of griet, a 16yearold dutch girl, who becomes a maid in the house of the painter johannes vermeer. Girl with a pearl earring essay 946 words bartleby. Chevaliers hit novel girl with a pearl earring will be read and discussed when the group holds their next meeting. Discuss hit novel girl with a pearl earring with toledos book club. Although i had read this book before i enjoyed the second time round really interesting. A girl with a pearl earring by sgr62 see profile 0322. Books that defined a generation girl with a pearl earring. A timeless modern classic and an international bestseller, with over 5 million copies sold around the world.

The elegant prose evokes contemplation, the pace is slow and cumulative the drama emotional rather than visceral. Girl with a pearl earring lesson plans varsity tutors. Join adrienne lee for a discussion of the novel girl with a pearl earring by tracy chevalier. The ama art lovers book club will have its second meeting at 6 p. Feature article forbidden love the novel girl with a pearl earring should definitely be included on the novel ideas book club reading list. Set in 17thcentury delft, holland, the novel was inspired by local painter johannes vermeers girl with a pearl earring. Elisabeth, born in 1984, has her eye on the future. The protagonist of tracy chevaliers novel girl with a pearl earring is a sixteenyearold girl the one mentioned in the title, of course, so the story was presumably written with a young adult. Looking at the painting after having read the novel.

Girl with a pearl earring tells the story behind the advent of this famous painting, all the while depicting life in 17th century delft, a small dutch. For me this means that i am reading at another level. Perhaps youve heard of the famous piece, girl with a pearl earring, by the artist johannes vermeer. Review of girl with a pearl earring by tracy chevalier bookclub. I particularly loved the slowpaced plot full of wonderful descriptions of delft, of vermeers home and family, and of his paintings. Girl with a pearl earring by tracy chevalier was an intriguing fictitious book based on the life of the famous painter johannes vermeer. It was interesting to suppose what might be the story behind both the artist and the subject of the girl with a pearl earring. Girl with a pearl earring audiobook by tracy chevalier. Albany with a successful launch in may, the ama art lovers book club will have its second meeting at 6 p. Girl with a pearl earring a novel book club set book club kit. So, there is an interviw about her novel girl with a pearl earing which i think that can be quite. Chevalier presents a fictional account of vermeer, the model, and the painting.

Girl with a pearl earring tracy chevalier, 2000 penguin group usa 240 pp. Chevalier presents a fictional account of vermeer, the model and the painting. The girl in the vermeer painting girl with a pearl earring is the subject of this. Twenty years on girl with a pearl earring remains as vivid and captivating as ever. I hadnt known about him before i took a grammar course where the professor used tracy chevaliers book, girl with a pearl earring, to teach the course.

What made the experience of listening to girl with a pearl earring the most enjoyable. Girl with a pearl earring book club kit new westminster. Tracy chevalier on the filming of girl with a pearl earring. Girl with a pearl earring by tracy chevalier reading guide. Girl with a pearl earring, was both a book club and road read in 2006. We were driving back and forth between our home in atlanta and new. There is also a gradual sexual tension between griet and vermeer which adds an interesting dimension to the story. Girl with a pearl earring tells the story of griet, a 16yearold dutch girl who becomes a maid in the house of the painter johannes vermeer. Review of girl with a pearl earring by tracy chevalier.

Girl with a pearl earring by tracy chevalier book club discussion. Dec 28, 2003 on the eve of its cinema release, tracy chevalier describes how she felt as she saw her bestselling novel girl with a pearl earring being transferred to the screen sun 28 dec 2003 17. Girl with a pearl earring is an engaging fictionalization. What is so fascinating about this novel is the way that the author takes a real life painting, vermeers girl with a pearl earring, and imagines the story behind it. Girl with a pearl earring by tracy chevalierin about. Chevalier presents a fictional account of vermeer, the model. He slowly draws her into the world of his paintings and ultimately has her sit for him as a model. But then he gives her his wifes pearl earrings to wear for a portrait, and a. Content includes books from bestselling, midlist and debut authors. Its a thought provoking story, not meant to be rushed, anyway. Girl with a pearl earring by tracey chevalier resources from the author, including a link to a reading group guide with 8 questions. Set in the 1660s in delft netherlands about how the famous painter johannes vermeer comes to paint his maid and her infatuation with him. The runaway new york times bestseller with over one million copies soldsoon to be a major motion picture starring scarlett johansson and colin firth. Translated into thirtynine languages and made into an oscarnominated film, starring scarlett johanson and colin firth.

One of his most famous paintings, girl with a pearl earring, lies at the center of tracy chevaliers novel, which ta. Girl with a pearl earring book club questions reading agency. Girl with a pearl earring 2003 official trailer scarlett johansson movie a young peasant maid working in the house of painter johannes vermeer. In girl with a pearl earring, she recreates the 17thcentury world of johannes vermeer. This was a very enjoyable story about a fascinating painting. While cleaning the house, griet strikes up an unlikely friendship with vermeer, which both agree to keep secret for fear of provoking the painters jealous wife, catharina essie davis. You know you do everyone is doing it itll make you feel good. Girl with a pearl earring tells the story behind the advent of this famous painting, all the while depicting life in 17th century delft, a small dutch city with a burgeoning art community. Reading guide for girl with a pearl earring by tracy chevalier discussion guide for book clubs. Bbc radio 4 extra world book club, tracy chevalier.

The new york times bestselling novel by the author of a single thread and at the edge of the orchard translated into thirtynine languages and made into an oscarnominated film, starring scarlett johanson and colin firth tracy chevalier transports readers to a bygone time and place in this richlyimagined. The villages at crane meadow marlborough, ma 01752 book club. The girl with a pearl earring is the story of griet, a sixteenyear old girl who is hired by the famous painter, vermeer, to clean his studio. The story seems like an episode of the old british drama upstairs downstairs set in holland with a coming of age story neatly tucked in it as well. Going by various names over the centuries, it became known by its present title towards the end of the 20th century after the large pearl earring worn by the girl portrayed there. Summer is a favorite time for reading and relaxing. Elyshia hickey reveals why this fascinating, historical and romantic story will appeal to an adolescent audience, as it explores the theme of sensual awakening. But then he gives her his wifes pearl earrings to wear for a portrait, and a scandal erupts that could threaten griets future. About the book in midcareer, the renowned 17th century baroque artist johannes vermeer painted girl with a pearl earring, which has been called the dutch mona lisa. Tracy chevalier is the new york times bestselling author of seven previous novels, including girl with a pearl earring, which has been translated into thirtynine languages and made into an oscarnominated film. Eventually she poses for the famous girl with a pearl earring painting, which ends up being her undoing.

Read free book excerpt from girl with a pearl earring by tracy chevalier, page 1 of 1. Girl in hyacinth blue, chevaliers first novel succeeds on its own merits. Girl with a pearl earring is a thoroughly engaging novel that follows the lifechanging experiences of quiet griet over the two years she serves the delft painter, johannes vermeer. Harper collins are publishing a special anniversary edition with a fascinating new introduction by the author tracy chevalier. The novel opens with vermeer and his disheveled wife, catharina, visiting griets family to have a look at the girl they hope to hire. Her calm and perceptive manner not only helps her in her household duties, but also attracts the painters attention. Girl with a pearl earring by tracy chevalier goodreads. What inspired you to write about the girl in vermeers painting.

Fittingly, chevaliers writing style adopts a painterly approach. Because art history was never this deliciously juicy. Ama book club to discuss girl with a pearl earring. Girl with a pearl earring is a 1999 historical novel written by tracy chevalier. Her calm and perceptive manner not only helps her in her household duties, but also attracts vermeers attention. It is hard not to like this good and obedient protagonist, for she struggles with universal yearnings such as. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Sep 30, 2003 girl with a pearl earring is a thoroughly engaging novel that follows the lifechanging experiences of quiet griet over the two years she serves the delft painter, johannes vermeer. Girl with a pearl earring by tracey chevalier lesson plans and teaching resources girl with a pearl earring by tracey chevalier resources from the author, including a link to a reading group guide with 8 questions. Making up a history for vermeers girl with a pearl earring vermeers famous girl with a pearl earring has returned to the united states for the first time since 1995.

Girl with a pearl earring by tracy chevalier, paperback. The american author answers questions from global listeners about girl with a pearl earring. On the eve of its cinema release, tracy chevalier describes how she felt as she saw her bestselling novel girl with a pearl earring being transferred. Book club time and date tba girl with the pearl earring by tracy chevalier dutch painter johannes vermeer was one of the 17th centurys greatest painters, his extraordinary paintings of domestic life defining the dutch golden age. Harper collins are publishing a special anniversary edition with a fascinating new introduction by the author. Reading guide for girl with a pearl earring by tracy chevalier. Even so, girl with a pearl earring only became one of vermeers more famous pieces around the turn of the 21st century, with the 1995 blockbuster exhibition at the national gallery of art in washington, d.

When servant girl griet catches his eye, she soon becomes both student and muse. Girl with a pearl earring topics for discussion tracy chevalier this study guide consists of approximately 44 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of girl with a pearl earring. I think the book club offers us the opportunity to become an active reader as opposed to a passive reader. The new york times bestselling novel by the author of a single thread and at the edge of the orchard. The heroine, the girl with the earring, is in a helpless situation, but she is determined to escape the terrible situation in which she has found herself. A young woman caught in the rivalry between queen mary and her half sister, elizabeth, must find her true destiny amid treason, poisonous rivalries, loss of faith, and unrequited love. Making up a history for vermeers girl with a pearl earring. Snyder will lead the conversation on tracy chevaliers novel girl with a pearl earring. Harriett gilbert is joined by american author tracy chevalier, who answers questions from listeners about girl with a pearl earring. Girl with the pearl earring analysis 1686 words cram. In her second novel, tracy chevalier imagines the life of the model for vermeers iconic painting.