Girl with a Pearl Earring

I like the idea of this book. Someone looked at a well-known painting, saw a story in the subject’s eyes, and wrote that story down. Tracy Chevalier did a magnificent job of capturing the realism of 17^th century Delft; the setting just feels right. I loved Griet, the main character. At first she seems just short of being aloof and insensitive, but her character is revealed over time to be a near-perfect balance of passion and pragmatism.

Very little time is spent in her family’s house before she is transferred to the role of maid for Johannes Vermeer, the master painter. Although she was specifically hired to clean his studio without disturbing the progress of the paintings, her role in the household—and how she is treated because of that role—varies from character to character based on their perceptions of her. To the other servants, she is the new girl who must do all the least favorable chores. To the mistress of the house, she is someone to be feared and mistrusted because of her connection to Vermeer’s art. To the mother-in-law, she is a partner in the attempt to keep Vermeer painting, and, therefore, keep the money coming in.

The characters in the book—both in the Vermeer house and Griet’s village—are vividly created. The reader understands them on a personal level, not because every nuance of their actions is explained, but because they act like real people. Even when the characters did something I didn’t like, I accepted it because I could understand their motivations.

The ending tied things up in a satisfactory way. I thoroughly enjoyed the time spent reading this book. Griet is a beautifully rendered character whose sense of self allows her creativity to exist in a harsh world, while her sensibility keeps her grounded in the reality of her life. Overall, I have no trouble believing that she is happy at the end of the book, and that she deserves her happiness.

The movie was a bit disappointing. Even having read the book, the movie feels sluggish and pretentious. There are long moments of focusing on a facial expression or symbolic item that, if not for the knowledge provided by reading the book, may get lost in translation. In the book, the relationship between Vermeer and Griet seemed to be one of empathy and the deep connection brought about by a shared passion; in the movie, it is diluted into an uncomfortable dance around an illicit affair and tawdry forbidden love. The ending merely brings all the empty symbolism to a sad misfire of a conclusion. It was nice to watch, but it did not live up to the richness of the book.

Anne of Green Gables/Anne of Avonlea

            I watched these movies so many times, I could quote them. My mom has always loved movies like Sara, Plain and Tall; Skylark; and the Anne of Green Gables movies. I wasn’t a huge fan of Sara and Skylark (sorry, Glenn Close; loved you in the Stepford Wives!) but I never got tired of Anne’s poetic ramblings and imagination-run-wild-induced mishaps. I identified with her tendency to use big words (something I still do; my students hate it) and her seeming inability to separate her fantastic imagination from her prosaic reality.

            I did not read the books until many years later, but they are just as wonderful as the movies. Or rather, the movies do the book justice. There are definitely elements of the books that I like better. For example, Anne and Gil have a much longer friendship in the book, before the romance blossoms. (I’m not really giving anything away here; it’s pretty obvious from the start these two are meant to be.) Also, in the book we get to see much more of the process of Anne growing up, how much she fights it before learning to embrace it. She reminds me a little of Jo, from Little Women.

            There are characters in the book that didn’t make it onto the screen, such as Davey and Dora; however, many of these characters were given screen time with the all-too-short-lived series Tales from Avonlea. Unlike many TV series based on movies, it keeps the same tone of family and witty humor as the movies and books.

            One thing I like about the movies is there is no Lifetime-movie-style melodramatics. There are sad parts, yes, but the emotions are realistically portrayed. The audience doesn’t feel manipulated by heightened emotional displays.

            One advantage the movie has over the books is showing off the setting in all its splendor. From the foggy woods where Anne twists her ankle, to the “Lake of Shining Waters” where Anne nearly sinks the boat, and Green Gables itself, resting magnanimously at the heart of every plot line, the beauty of Prince Edward Island is beautifully displayed.

            I can’t really say whether I think it’s better to watch the movie or read the book first. Sometimes the book can ruin the movie if it’s too good, but other times it is nice to have those little nuances the book gives a reader before watching the visual representation of the story. My suggestion is, pick one!

            (Side-note: Don’t bother with the movie after Anne of Avonlea. However, the rest of the books in the series are just as lovely as the first two!)