Girl With a Pearl Earring

by Tracy Chevalier

In 17th-century Holland, sixteen-year-old Griet is sent to work for the painter Johannes Vermeer and his family. As she works in the kitchen and at the laundry, she finds herself drawn to the painter and his work. Soon, she finds herself as his assistant and in way over her head.

This was a quick read - I think I finished it in an afternoon. I'm generally not much of a historical fiction fan but this was easy enough, probably because I didn't have much knowledge of the actual history to compare it to. Griet seems at once mature for her age and helplessly naive. When her life quickly spirals beyond her control, she finds that she is not at all prepared to deal with the fallout. Perhaps this is how it was for girls then - expected to take over the running of the household, yet sheltered from any idea of sex and attraction.

I don't think I'd read much more of this kind. This is not a reflection on this book or the author. It's simply because this genre is not of much interest to me.