Product Description

A sumptuous new look for the bestselling author of Girl with a Pearl Earring. 1901, the year of Queen Victoria's death. The two graves stood next to each other, both beautifully decorated. One had a large urn -- some might say ridiculously large -- and the other, almost leaning over the first, an angel -- some might say overly sentimental. The two families visiting the cemetery to view their respective neighbouring graves were divided even more by social class than by taste. They would certainly never have become acquainted had not their two girls, meeting behind the tombstones, become best friends. And furthermore -- and even more unsuitably -- become involved in the life of the gravedigger's son. As the girls grow up, as the century wears on, as the new era and the new King change social customs, the lives and fortunes of the Colemans and the Waterhouses become more and more closely intertwined -- neighbours in life as well as death.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #17060 in Books
• Published on: 2006-07-03
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 416 pages

Review
Praise for 'Girl with a Pearl Earring': 'A portrait of radiance!Tracy Chevalier brings the real artist Vermeer and a fictional muse to life in a jewel of a novel.' Time 'It has a slow, magical current of its own that picks you up and carries you stealthily along!a beautiful story, lovingly told by a very talented writer.' Daily Mail 'A wonderful novel, mysterious, steeped in atmosphere, deeply revealing about the process of painting!truly magical.' Guardian

About the Author
Tracy Chevalier grew up in Washington DC. In 1994 she graduated from the creative writing course at the University of East Anglia. She lives in London with her husband and son.

Customer Reviews

Historical fiction that educates as well as entertains
The story of Maude Coleman, Lavinia Waterhouse and their families is told in the first person by each character involved so it reads very much like a diary. I like how the reader gets to see everyone's perspectives on a situation instead of hearing a story from just one angle. We hear the traditional and modern views of the time...in a changing world where the women's suffrage movement is getting more and more forceful leading (in this story) to the Hyde Park demonstration.

As someone who enjoys walking around old Victorian cemeteries it was lovely to have this one brought to life with the people who visited and worked there. I found the details of mourning etiquette during the Victorian period and the early 1900's fascinating: How long is acceptable to mourn, what to wear and what to do with it after the mourning period is over, and the views of the time on cremation and who should be buried where in the cemetery.

A sensitive and fascinating read.

thought provoking!
I couldn't put this book down!
It was a tale of many characters, with the mood varying from humour to great sadness. The chapter concerning the rally, and the aftermath, had affected me the most.
It was very thought provoking and the stories stayed with me for ages afterwards.

Another stunning Chevalier book
Chevalier delivers, yet again, another stunning read. Another book full of beautiful prose, a great plot and a marvellous cast of characters. Who would have thought that you could weave a book so fab as this from such a simple idea as a cemetery. Chevalier brings Highgate cemetery alive and you are just transported back to the era. An excellent read. Highly recommended.