I have no idea how to moderate a book club blog discussion. So I'll wing it with questions I collected online! Please contribute and participate or my self-esteem will plummet.
1. What is your first impression of Johannes Vermeer? Did this change throughout the book?
2. Did anything in the book make you uncomfortable? If so, why? Did the uncomfortable-ness add to or take away from the novel?
3. Why did Griet feel so torn between her new life and old life? What did she enjoy about her new life in Vermeer's household? What did she miss about her old life?
4. Do you think Vermeer truly cared about Griet, or was he only concerned with the painting? Were his feelings toward her defined by passion, love, lust, paternal instincts, camaraderie? What about her feelings toward him?
5. In many ways, the primary relationship in this novel appears to be between Griet and Vermeer. Do you think this is true? How do you feel about Vermeer's relationship with his wife? How does that come into play?
6. Why was Catharina so upset by the painting? Do you think Vermeer betrayed his wife? Did he love her? What was the nature of their relationship?
7. Maria Thins obviously understood Vermeer's art more than his wife did. Why do you think this was the case? Do you think she shared Griet's talents?
8.Why did Griet hide her hair? Why did she feel so revealed once Vermeer saw her hair, that "it no longer mattered what I did and did not do?"
9. Rate Girl with a Pearl Earring on a scale of 1 to 5.
No need to answer all (or even any!) of these- they are just to get everyone thinking about what we're reading. If you do feel strongly about any of them, please comment. If you have a question about the book or just an observation, COMMENT (I know you're not shy)! Before our next meeting I'll go ahead and print out the blog and comments so we have a springboard for discussion.
