Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Tuesday Intros No. 3: Girl with a Pearl Earring, by Tracy Chevalier



Welcome to First Chapter, First Paragraph Tuesday Intros,
hosted by Diane @

Every Tuesday, each participant
shares the first paragraph 
(sometimes two) from a book
they're reading,
or thinking about reading.


The book I've picked this week is....


Girl With A Pearl Earring
Tracy Chevalier
Trade Paperback, 233 pages
Plume
(An Imprint of Penguin Books)  
January, 2001
Art, Classics, Historical Fiction, 
Literary Fiction, Romance 


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/76847.Girl_With_a_Pearl_Earring


About the Book
  
History and fiction merge seamlessly in Tracy Chevalier's luminous novel about artistic vision and sensual awakening. Through the eyes of sixteen-year-old Griet, the world of 1660s Holland comes dazzlingly alive in this richly imagined portrait of the young woman who inspired one of Vermeer's most celebrated paintings.




1664

My mother did not tell me they were coming. Afterwards she said she did not want me to appear nervous. I was surprised, for I thought she knew me well. Strangers would think I was calm. I did not cry as a baby. Only my mother would note the tightness along my jaw, the widening of my already wide eyes.

I was chopping vegetables in the kitchen when I heard voices outside our front door -- a woman's, bright as polished brass, and a man's, low and dark like the wood of the table I was working on. They were the kind of voices we heard rarely in our house. I could hear rich carpets in their voices, books and pearls and fur.




Have you ever read this classic?
If so, what did you think?
If not, has the selection above
enticed you to do so?
I would love to know!








18 comments:

Cleopatra Loves Books said...

I read this one many years ago and enjoyed it - a sweeping story! I hope you enjoy it too.

Beth F said...

This is a great story! HOpe you are enjoying it.

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

I loved this one when I read it many years ago.

Laurel-Rain Snow said...

I have always been meaning to read it...I love the sound of the excerpts! Thanks for sharing and enjoy. Here's mine: “UNDER THE INFLUENCE”

Book of Secrets said...

I haven't read the book yet, but it's on my list. Love the opening! I did see the movie years ago. Colin Firth! ♥

Maria Behar said...

Cleo, Beth, Diane:

I've been wanting to read this for years now, as I've heard it's really good. So I think this is the year to do it!

Thanks to Cleo and Beth for commenting, and to Diane for commenting back!! :)

Maria Behar said...

Hi, Laurel!

Yes, I've been meaning to read it, too! Those excerpts sound just AWESOME. So visually evocative!

Thanks for commenting!! :)

Maria Behar said...

Hi, Diana!

Oh, I wasn't aware that a movie of this novel had been made. And Colin Firth is in it?! OMG. I need to read this book VERY soon, and then watch this movie! (I always like to read the book first before watching the movie version.)

Thanks for letting me know, and for commenting!! :)

Monica's Bookish Life said...

I like this opening, so I'd keep reading. I've never read the book, but I did see the movie several years ago.

Unknown said...

I'd love to read this. That last sentence alone is very intriguing. Thanks for sharing, Maria.

Kay said...

I read this one a long time ago and honestly don't remember all that much about it. That being said, I do remember that I liked it very much. Maybe a reread?

Share my Garden said...

I've read the book and seen the film and enjoyed both. I love Vermeer's paintings so found the details of his working methods fascinating. I don't think that it's a particularly strong opening sentence however.
Miss Cellany.

Maria Behar said...

Hi, Monica!

I love this opening, as well. I have neither read the book, nor seen the movie. I had no idea that a movie had been made! I hope to read the book this year1

Thanks for commenting!! :)

Maria Behar said...

Hi, Delia!

Yes, that last sentence is a little masterpiece! I'm glad you like the book, too!

You're very welcome for the share! Thanks for commenting!! :)

Maria Behar said...

Hi, Kay!

That sometimes happens to me -- I know I loved a book, but yet, can't remember the plot. So yes, I'd say you should re-read this one. You will most likely enjoy it all over again!

Thanks for commenting!! :)

Maria Behar said...

Hi, there!

I love Vermeer's paintings, too, which is primarily drew me to this novel. Now that you've mentioned that his methods are detailed in the book, I want to read it even more!

I want to not only read the book, but see the movie, as you did. I'll read the book first, though.

Thanks for commenting!! :)

Brian Joseph said...

My wife read this a few years ago. She loved it. Thus the book is sitting on our bookshelf.

really want to read it.

It seems that it will be right up my alley.

Maria Behar said...

Hey, Brian!

Everyone who has commented on this post has either said that they enjoyed the book, or would love to read it. So I can see that I'm going to enjoy it! What I like about the book, of course, is that the plot involves art. Besides, I love Vermeer's paintings.

It's great that your wife loved it, too! And I think you will, as well.

Thanks for commenting!! :)