I just read this this past week. It is pretty fucking good. I read it so that I could go see the movie which is about to open soon.

I am still thiinking about the effect that book had on me. It has been awhile since I read something that I thought was so dead-on terrific.

I highly recommend reading this. Besides, it takes a night to get through. It's a really fast read. Almost too fast.

oh yeah, it's by Tracy Chevalier. <p><!--EZCODE HR START--><hr /><!--EZCODE HR END--> "'Grrr' contains a new additive called carnivore that seeks out and gobbles up stains like a thousand tiny, little pirahna fish."
Lily Tomlin</p>

Shoe, when you read it, did you find yourself repeatedly closing the book and looking at the painting on the cover? I know I did. I can see why the author felt compelled to tell that girl's story. <p><!--EZCODE HR START--><hr /><!--EZCODE HR END-->Mandingo. I grock your mouth music. -- The Tick</p>

DF,
I <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>totally</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> did. The painting is so beautiful to begin with, but the more Griet's character is fleshed out, the more appealing that image becomes. It was so so refreshing to be able to relate to her and her position, her fears and desires.

I just heard this morning that Scarlet Johansson is nominated for 2 Golden Globes. For Lost in Translation and The Girl with the Pearl Earring. <p><!--EZCODE HR START--><hr /><!--EZCODE HR END--> "'Grrr' contains a new additive called carnivore that seeks out and gobbles up stains like a thousand tiny, little pirahna fish."
Lily Tomlin</p>

I totally thought of ya, Shoe, when I heard that nomination. I'm gonna scare up a copy this weekend, before I see the film.

<p><!--EZCODE HR START--><hr /><!--EZCODE HR END--> "And now we are on the OHIO turnpike, which is very like the Indiana turnpike, but with more Starbucks, and the Pennsylvania turnpike, but wider. Somewhere to our left is Cleveland." - JWH</p>

The original painting of the girl with the pearl earings can be found in the "Mauritshuis" museum in the Hague central square, which also happens to be the location where I work! I would guess the mauritshuis is only about 200 yards away! Sometimes during my lunchbreak I wonder over to check out the paintings. It's got some fantastically famous paintings by in particular Rembrandt and Vermeer. I'd recommend a visit to anyone!