Tracy Chevalier's historical novel ‘A girl with a pearl earring’ definitely doesn't read like a historical novel.

Tracy Chevalier's historical novel ‘A girl with a pearl earring’ definitely doesn't read like a historical novel. The novel is written in first-person narrative voice and therefore has a strong plot. It follows the life-changing experiences of quiet Griet over the two years she serves the Delft painter, Johannes Vermeer and his family. Soon, Griet is granted the privilege to help Vermeer in his studio, which any other family member has not. This act causes a great deal of tension within the household and the novel gets a totally different perspective. Reading this book is a great experience and hence satisfaction. Griet begins her work by cleaning the various still life objects that Vermeer will paint later that day. She is also given the responsibility of grinding the paints and even purchasing the colors from the apothecary. She understands Vermeer’s work better than anyone else in his family. Being able to speak to him more and more as an equal and give him advice, he realizes she has a painterly eye and an instinctive affinity emerges between the maid and the master. The situation in the family only gets worse when Vermeer agrees, at a friend's request, to paint Griet. Chevalier describes the complex tensions of the household ruled over by the painter’s jealous, immature and eternally pregnant wife and his dominating mother-in-law. Varmeer’s paintings capture a still moment at a specific time and place, creating a mood of calmness and quiet. His artistic skills show a great silence that is floating around the character. The great success of this novel is that her writing reflects this state perfectly. Profound emotions are present throughout the whole novel. It can be said freely that this is a psychological novel in some way as it describes Griet’s struggles with universal yearnings such as love and an escape from poverty. Choosing a monologue it is easy to identify with Griet , the narrator who tells her story in simple prose. Her sentences