Journal Entry 1 by londonmet from London , Greater London United Kingdom on Monday, April 19, 2004

From a charity shop. I've been told it's good - haven't seen the film or anything. 

Journal Entry 2 by londonmet from London , Greater London United Kingdom on Wednesday, April 21, 2004

I enjoyed this - it's a nice, easy read, and it looks at love, social relationships and the creative process.
It's about to be sent to nyassa in a bookrelay - hopefully, I'll post it this lunchtime. 

Journal Entry 3 by londonmet at mailed in Casualreader.net, Bookrelay -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, April 21, 2004

Released on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 at mailed in Casualreader.net, Bookrelay Controlled Releases.

Posted to nyassa this afternoon. 

Journal Entry 4 by nyassa from Deal, Kent United Kingdom on Friday, April 23, 2004

Arrived yesterday from londonmet. Many thanks, I have been wanting to read this for a very long time. 

Journal Entry 5 by nyassa from Deal, Kent United Kingdom on Sunday, October 08, 2006

I thought I had lost this, but must have taken it to France at some point.

Synopsis from Amazon
Griet, the young daughter of a tilemaker in seventeenth century Holland, obtains her first job, as a servant in Vermeer's household. Tracy Chevalier shows us, through Griet's eyes, the complicated family, the society of the small town of Delft, and life with an obsessive genius. Griet loves being drawn into his artistic life, and leaving her former drudgery, but the cost to her own survival may be high.

I've found it difficult to rate this book because although I found it easy to read and quite enjoyable, I was left with the feeling something was missing. The characters didn't seem well developed and really, neither did the storyline. In the synopsis above it mentions life with an obsessive genius - well it was hardly touched upon and Vermeer's character was possibly the least well-drawn. The child Cordelia seemed contrived, and the plague appeared to be thrown in almost as an afterthought.

Saying all that though, I cannot deny enjoying it, I just think it has been hyped up. I read it in just a few hours - it is a very short book. And it has definitely made me more interested in Vermeer's art! 

Journal Entry 6 by AnonymousFinder on Friday, December 01, 2006

I picked it up off the shelf at work. I don't usually read historical fiction but I really enjoyed this one! I am going to leave it in the office for someone else to read.

CAUGHT IN SOUTHAMPTON HAMPSHIRE ENGLAND 

Journal Entry 7 by AnonymousFinder on Friday, December 01, 2006

I picked it up off the shelf at work. I am going to leave it in the office for someone else to read.

CAUGHT IN SOUTHAMPTON HAMPSHIRE ENGLAND