givebooksgirl reviewed on
Helpful Score: 4
Tracy Chevalier's imagery of life as a maid in Holland in the 1600s comes alive when I read about Griet's daily existence, her family, their struggles, her trips to the meat hall and market square where listening is better than gossiping.
But, of course, what truly captures my interest is Griet's "in-her-mind-only" sensual romance with her master, Vermeer. She becomes helpful to him and eventually he will celebrate how he feels about her through his art. Their shared looks and wispy touches sizzle on the page. I want the master to take her and run away, and then I don't. I like how the painter sees into Griet's sensuality. Griet feels it. Deeply. Others, like Vermeer's wife and mother-in-law feel it, too. Interestingly, Vermeer's mother-in-law, Maria Thins, is a character I like. She is blunt, insightful and her influence in society and her Catholicism play a definite role in Vermeer's life. I later learned, through some research on Vermeer, that he was a convert and his first son became a priest. After reading this book, I was delightfully surprised to learn about the movie. Read the book first. But you already knew that, didn't you?
But, of course, what truly captures my interest is Griet's "in-her-mind-only" sensual romance with her master, Vermeer. She becomes helpful to him and eventually he will celebrate how he feels about her through his art. Their shared looks and wispy touches sizzle on the page. I want the master to take her and run away, and then I don't. I like how the painter sees into Griet's sensuality. Griet feels it. Deeply. Others, like Vermeer's wife and mother-in-law feel it, too. Interestingly, Vermeer's mother-in-law, Maria Thins, is a character I like. She is blunt, insightful and her influence in society and her Catholicism play a definite role in Vermeer's life. I later learned, through some research on Vermeer, that he was a convert and his first son became a priest. After reading this book, I was delightfully surprised to learn about the movie. Read the book first. But you already knew that, didn't you?
