Rating: 
Summary: Imagination from a Painting, and a Great Book
Review: This book was amazing. Chevalier's description was amazing, adding color to the story. She truly put her imagination into it. She expressed the personalities of other characters through Griet's thoughts, but not too much or too obviously. There aren't any words enough to describe how great this book was. You simply have got to read it.
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Summary: Cultural differces
Review: I really liked the book, because it made me understand the melancholic smile on the girl's face and left me with silent questions to think about for days.
The "simple" writing style of Ms. Chevalier got lots of criticism, that I can only explain with the non-understanding of the era, the culture 300 years ago, the protestant Puritanism, and the way Vermeer worked (which was as well a reflection of his time). This novel gives a good view of the 17th century Holland (not Sweden as some readers assumed) and the language of the book just ads to it.
It is not action but emotion packed, and probably you need to slow down to the speed of these days to realize that.
The Girl with a Pearl Earring is written the way Vermeer painted her beauty and grace. You can not compare with the tension you find on a tortured Modigliani face, but then read a book of his life and you get all the screaming and shouting you miss from that book.
Rating: 
Summary: A good idea doesn't make a great book, folks
Review: C'mon guys - get serious. This book reads pretty much like what it is: an acceptable attempt of someone just out of writing class. The idea is good, I'll grant that, but then the execution doesn't convince, and the language is sometimes outright pathetic. The ridiculous similes in the first part ("His eyes came to rest on me like a butterfly on a flower", p. 42) made me want to dump the book right away. Glad I didn't do it though - had some nice moments later on, even though it only adds up to three stars.
Rating: 
Summary: Great little surprise
Review: I had not read anything to get me interested in reading this book and then my book club chose it for discussion. I found it to be a very well written story that I enjoyed very much. I was quite surprised. It is a great choice for a book club.
Rating:
Summary: A readers Joy
Review: This book is one of the latest of our book club picks. I was excited to finally read it. It is not disappointing. It is a simple book in many ways, though in only 200+ pages you realize how much you have learned about such a different time. You will love Griet for her spirt and grit. She will take you inside I painters mind.
Rating:
Summary: simple and beautiful
Review: I like the simplicity of this book. The story is well paced and and not bogged down with minute details that sometimes make other wonderful books difficult to get through. I love the descriptions about making the paint and how Vermeer used these colors in his painting. Wonderful setting.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderfully terrible book
Review: I just finished the book this morning after reading much of the night. My own process connected perfectly with the empathy of the characters, their blights, dreams, fears, and the resoltion of what happened to them. That empathy hit me in a place where I wept for myself and the characters of the book.
Rating:
Summary: A little more historical needed to go with the fiction
Review: I thought the author could have researched the period a little more. I felt that Greit could have just as easily lived in the early days of America from the few details given of "Delft" life. Other than Vermeer and Greit making eyes at each other, I didn't see the attraction between them and by the end I really didn't care much what happened to either.
Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece
Review: There is only one word to describe this book, and that would be classic. With accurate depictions of a young girl's thoughts and feelings this book is sure to keep you reading. I highly recommend this book to all women, expecially teenagers. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: The Colors Of A Maiden's Heart
Review: Griet, a 16 year old girl, narrates her two years as maid and assistant to Johannes Vermeer, Dutch 'Golden Age' Master. During her tumultuous experience in his household, Griet becomes the subject of his most famous portrait, "Girl With A Pearl Earring."Author Tracy Chevalier is also a Master, painting the emotions of Griet with soft sensuous strokes mixed with bold brushes of self-discovery. Chevalier develops vivid characters, especially the artist's wife and mother-in-law. Vermeer, is a quiet genius, but the short spurts of his voice and the movement of his eyes provide the canvas for Griet's emotions. This novel is moderate in length, but I gladly would have enjoyed twice as many pages. Chevalier leaves us staring at the painting, wondering -- as she did -- what further adventures awaited the "Girl With A Pearl Earring".
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