Set in the dutch town of Delft, 16-year old Griet is forced to become a maid for the painter Johannes Vermeer after an accident blinds her father. She is not very happy about it, but as a responsible daughter does it because her family needs her to. Life at the Vermeer’s was challenging. For starters, they are Catholics and her family is Protestant. She is surrounded by Catholic artwork, which makes her uncomfortable. That’s only the beginning. There’s the conflict she tries to avoid between her and the other maid Tanneke not to mention dealing with the conniving daughter Cornelia. Her main responsibilities are helping with the children, picking up the meat and fish, and cleaning Johannes’s studio (which his wife and Tanneke are not allowed in). When Vermeer recognises her artistic affinity, he begins giving her more responsibility in his studio. She has to somehow fit in his needs within her current household chores. Her assistance makes Vermeer’s wife, and Tanneke, jealous, causing Griet more issues. Then she receives the attention of the family’s butcher’s son, Pieter, as well as nobleman van Ruijven. Her family pushes the relationship with Pieter. For a time life is good and she is able to balance her responsibilities and life. Van Ruijven disrupts her happiness when he insists on sitting with her for a painting. It is known that the last girl he sat with ended up pregnant and Griet refuses outright. But as a maid, she really has no choice. Vermeer swing things so she is painted alone and she relents. The painting progresses and turns out better then she imagined. But then he asks something of her, something she doesn’t feel good about. When it is discovered, her life is changed forever.

ISBN: 0051857014009