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Oct 03, 2018
Girl With a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier was an intriguing fictitious book based on the life of the famous painter Johannes Vermeer. 16-year-old Griet, is hired by Vermeer’s wife, Catharina, to work as a maid in their home. Catharina, her mother and her favoured child are unkind to her, and the maid who is many years her senior is bitter about having to work alongside a young girl who seems to be more determined than she. But after given the job to clean out Vermeer’s art studio, she finds delight in watching his paintings progress and change every time she steps foot in his room. Through Vermeer’s observation, he secretly recruits her as his art assistant and the story continues. What I liked about this book was not only the fact that Chevalier built her own story out of a painting, but because she didn’t depend on suspense to peak the curiosity of the readers. The entire book pulled me in, but in eagerness to find how Griet’s life evolved, but not to find the solution or ending of a suspenseful moment. I give this book 5/5 stars and recommend this book to ages 13 and up. @ilovefood of the Hamilton Public Library Teen Review Board