Journal Entry 1 by TerryAndGaby on Tuesday, January 13, 2004

release by umtv 

Journal Entry 2 by Semioticghost from Ipswich, Suffolk United Kingdom on Wednesday, January 14, 2004

Picked up at the January bookcrossing MeetUp in London,for two reasons - because it came warmly recommended by the bookcrosser next to me and because, initially inspired by Thomas Harris, I have become very fond of Vermeer.

 

Journal Entry 3 by Semioticghost from Ipswich, Suffolk United Kingdom on Tuesday, January 27, 2004

I’m about a third of the way in so far; it's definitely a page-turner, but with a narrative voice that annoys me. It’s meant to be that of a 16 year old girl in Vermeer’s Holland, and, even accounting for having to grow up early in those times, her thinking and tone is too much that of a shrewd, middle aged woman, and it grates on me. It reads like one of those historical ‘young adult’ novels which try to educate without anybody noticing. I’m enjoying it, though, in a kind of this-may-grate-but-I-don’t-want-to-stop-reading-it kind of way. Maybe I’m just too much of a snob, and I don't want to be. Watch this space... 

Journal Entry 4 by Semioticghost from Ipswich, Suffolk United Kingdom on Tuesday, January 27, 2004

I've finished, not being able to put this down. Does that make it a good book?

Somehow, there wasn't enough there to make me appreciat Griet, the female lead, as a person. Her outlook struck me as arificial, her decision formalised, like a 'Candide' character, always out to comment, illustrate, educate.

The ending was a disappointment to me, even though it's had its rationale in Griet's previous decisions. I expected more, something less abrupt, some growth into an unusual direction, rather than doing 'the expected'. I wanted to be surprised, pleasantly or unpleasantly, and the conclusion of the story didn't do that.

What saved the novel for me were Vermeer's paintings, the beautiful conjecture on their conception, the artists eye through which Chevalier looks at the past.

I'm going to post this off to ChrisP as she's expressed an interest. So hve Tiggsybabes and Shelbycat, so this is turnig into a mini-bookray!

I was going to release this in front of an appropriate Vermeer, security permission permitting - I'm curious about the location somebody else will come up with :) 

Journal Entry 5 by Gooner from March, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Saturday, January 31, 2004

This book arrived here in Cambs this morning: thanks, Semioticghost. I was intrigued by your journal entry, esp. the "it-grated-a-lot but unputdownable!" comments.

I finished this one faster than I expected. I was interested in the social position of Griet, a maid in the mid 1600s, in Delft. The language is very straightforward, but there's always someone watching or listening. It's about interaction in a large household, and I enjoyed the balance of power stuff between the mother-in-law of Vermeer, the wife, the many kids and the maids. There was just a sort of unspoken feeling about what Griet was describing. Descriptions of her going about the town on her servant's duties were very realistic, too. A good book to read.

I was tempted to find where my nearest publicly viewable Vermeer is, to do a themed release, but I'm off the hook, as it's going to tiggsybabes after me.

This book has been offered as a bookring, list as follows:

1. tiggsybabes
2. KathyS
3. nyassa - has own copy, so omitted from circulation
4. Anfield
5. Psychjo - journalled 9 August 04
6. ermintrude
7. Jordanette2000
8. perfect-circle
9. oblivious1980
10. torialouise
11. spike1972uk
12. alans-daughter
13. fcberryuk
14. FiBe
15. Anthonybairdis
16. Normy
17. ekranda
18. Gooner

More takers welcomed, please! No closing date until it runs out of readers.
 

Journal Entry 6 by tiggsybabes from Pontefract, West Yorkshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, March 31, 2004

TBR. Thank you :) I'll be reading this soon. 

Journal Entry 7 by tiggsybabes from Pontefract, West Yorkshire United Kingdom on Sunday, April 25, 2004

I read this a couple of weeks ago & am only starting to feel well enough to catch up on bookcrossing, so apologies. A wonderfully written book, I heartliy recommend it to all :) 

Journal Entry 8 by tiggsybabes at on Wednesday, May 12, 2004

Released on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 at Chapeltown Post Office in Sheffield, England United Kingdom.

All ready to be posted to KathyS. Enjoy :) 

Journal Entry 9 by KathyS on Saturday, May 15, 2004

I'm glad you were feeling well enough to post this on tiggsybabes - morning sickness, yuk :o( Anyway it arrived safely and I will get to it as soon as possible - I finish my course on Thursday so I'm looking forward to a summer of reading in the sunshine (fingers crossed!). 

Journal Entry 10 by KathyS on Wednesday, May 26, 2004

Journal Entry 11 by KathyS at Postal Release in -- By post or by hand --, Greater London United Kingdom on Saturday, May 29, 2004

Released on Friday, May 28, 2004 at Postal Release in Royal Mail, England United Kingdom.

Sent 2nd class to Anfield as nyassa has her own copy now. Enjoy :o)
 

Journal Entry 12 by Anfield from Bagshot, Surrey United Kingdom on Monday, June 07, 2004

Received in the post, thank you!
Arrived while on hols, nice surprise to come home to. 

Journal Entry 13 by Anfield from Bagshot, Surrey United Kingdom on Tuesday, July 06, 2004

I enjoyed this, although I must say the enjoyment of it kind of crept up on me, rather than grabbing me by the shoulders. It was quite tense in fact towards the end. TC's writing style is extremely readable too, and I will seek out more of her stuff having read this and The Virgin Blue.
Sending onto Psychjo who is next on the book ring. 

Journal Entry 14 by psychjo from Bristol, not specified not specified on Friday, July 09, 2004

Arrived yesterday will read asap.... 

Journal Entry 15 by psychjo from Bristol, not specified not specified on Monday, August 09, 2004

Finished this just now - thoroughly enjoyed this, and gripped me to the end. I was wondering if it would turn out the way it did, or if the ending would have more of a twist but there wasn't - and for me this highlighted the restricted situation a person of Griet's position was in at that historical time, and how she was making the best of the situation she was in.

Ready to send on as soon as I get the address...... 

Journal Entry 16 by psychjo from Bristol, not specified not specified on Friday, August 27, 2004

Just put in the post to Jords.... 

Journal Entry 17 by Jords from Preston, Lancashire United Kingdom on Thursday, September 02, 2004

Sorry I haven't journalled sooner, however I've been away for the past 3 weeks.

Anyway, received with many thanks and will journal when read - along with the other billion that have arrived in my absence - EEEEEK! 

Journal Entry 18 by Jords at fellow bookcrosser (England) in -- By post or by hand --, Greater London United Kingdom on Thursday, December 09, 2004

Released on Wednesday, December 08, 2004 at about 5:00:00 AM BX time (GMT-06:00) Central Time (US & Canada) at fellow bookcrosser (England) in Postal Release (England), England United Kingdom.

RELEASE NOTES:

Sent off in the post - really sorry for the delay 

Journal Entry 19 by perfect-circle from Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Saturday, December 11, 2004

Arrived in the post today, a nice surprise as it had slipped my mind completely. 

Journal Entry 20 by perfect-circle from Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Sunday, December 19, 2004

I'm another one who has often wondered where artists get their inspiration for pieces and I found this story fascinating to read. I felt Chevalier brought the painting, and Griet's story to life in an excellent way.

Will try and post this to Oblivious1980 before Christmas 

Journal Entry 21 by perfect-circle at on Monday, December 20, 2004

Released on Monday, December 20, 2004 at about 10:00:00 AM BX time (GMT-06:00) Central Time (US & Canada) at Postal Release in Controlled release, England United Kingdom.

RELEASE NOTES:

posted to Oblivious1980 today 

Journal Entry 22 by oblivious1980 from Sheffield, South Yorkshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, February 15, 2005

Sorry, must have forgotten to 'catch' this in the stress of Christmas! Is up next on mount tbr! 

Journal Entry 23 by oblivious1980 from Sheffield, South Yorkshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, March 08, 2005

I really really enjoyed this although it was over far too quickly for my liking, I agree with previous comments that it was maybe a bit too abrupt in its ending but that alone didn't annoy me as much as it has with other books!

I couldn't stop reading it so finished it within a day, I liked Griet and her naivety and found the whole concept of it being the inspiration for a painting fascinating.

Thanks for sharing, like others I'd probably have missed out on this if it wasn't for bookcrossing! 

Journal Entry 24 by oblivious1980 from Sheffield, South Yorkshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, November 01, 2005

Huge apologies for the delay on this, posted onwards on Monday! 

Journal Entry 25 by torialouise from York, North Yorkshire United Kingdom on Friday, December 16, 2005

I tried a couple of times with this book but didn't make much headway - so i'm sending it on it's merry journey once more. 

Journal Entry 26 by spike1972 from Cardiff, Wales United Kingdom on Thursday, January 12, 2006

Sorry, I thought I journalled this yesterday when it arrived, but obviously I didn't ;os

It goes to join Mt Tbr for now, and it's going to be a while before I get to it, so if further down the list wants to read it sooner, please let me (and/or Gooner) know. 

Journal Entry 27 by spike1972 from Cardiff, Wales United Kingdom on Saturday, August 18, 2007

Aaagh!

I''m sorry, I somehow didn''t realise this was on a ring, and so was treating it as a rabck (ie, leaving it til I''ve read a load of other books first).

I''ll read it after I''ve finished my current book. 

Journal Entry 28 by spike1972 from Cardiff, Wales United Kingdom on Friday, August 31, 2007

Whoops, I forgot to do a JE when I started this, and I've finished it now, but I'll come back and do my JE later (I'm just doing this while I remember!)

Edit - 6th Sept

Apologies for not having posted this yet. 

Journal Entry 29 by spike1972 from Cardiff, Wales United Kingdom on Monday, October 15, 2007

I'm going to come back and edit this with my 'review' but just to say I'm going to try and get to the post office with it today. 

Journal Entry 30 by alans-daughter from Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Arrived this morning - thanks Spike :) 

Journal Entry 31 by alans-daughter from Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Friday, November 09, 2007

I found this a compulsive read and have now bought The Virgin Blue to add to Mount TBR! This is on its way to Anthonybairdis. Many thanks Gooner. 

Journal Entry 32 by anthonybairdis from Hebburn, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Tuesday, January 08, 2008

I thought that I had journaled this when I received it in mid-December, but unfortunately it looks like that journal entry got lost somewhere along the line! Sorry, for holding it all up. Anyway, the book has arrived safely with me and I have started it, and I'm enjoying it. I'll post again once I have finished.