We are pleased to welcome Marci Jefferson today to The Debutante Ball. Her debut historical, GIRL ON THE GOLDEN COIN, tells the story of Frances Stuart–the woman who rejected three kings and graced the coin of Britannia forever. Publisher’s Weekly calls it “intoxicating…an exciting, solid debut” in its starred review.
On this week’s topic, books we love, Marci says:
I’m delighted to be a guest at The Debutante Ball, where debut authors are celebrated in style! Releasing a novel is an exciting and sometimes nerve-wracking experience, so being invited on the eve of my own debut, GIRL ON THE GOLDEN COIN, is an honor. I’ve been asked to share thoughts about a book I wish I’d written …
GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING is a slender little book with great strength. I bought it because I adored the movie. It sat on my shelf, angled face-out with the girl in Johannes Vermeer’s painting of the same name staring out in simple beauty for way too long. When I finally sat to read it, I didn’t rise until I’d devoured every last elegant page.
Griet, a young Protestant, is sent to work as a maid in Vermeer’s Catholic household, where they recognize in one another the same passion for artistic beauty. Set in Delft, Holland, during the late seventeenth-century, it is the Dutch Golden Age, when maritime trade made the country one of the wealthiest in the world. But Griet is from a poor family, and the Vermeer household struggles financially. Relationships between characters are tinged with suppressed tension. Griet and Johannes grow intimate and domestic conflicts ensue. When a wealthy client demands a painting of Griet, she swipes a pearl earing and sits for the now famous portrait. It isn’t a love story, but the story of how a pearl earring changed Griet’s life.
The name of the woman in Vermeer’s portrait is actually unknown. Like a good historical fiction author, Tracy Chevalier took the few known facts of Vermeer’s life and fictionalized the plot. Her skillful, sparse prose and quiet imagery make the details stand out and don’t stop the characters from coming to life fully developed. Her quick writing style still entrances me, and GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING still faces out on my shelf as a shining example of compelling historical fiction.
The late seventeenth century is a period I particularly adore and is when my debut novel GIRL ON THE GOLDEN COIN is set. Because of this, the books share similar elements such as the Great Plague, the Anglo-Dutch war, the Protestant-Catholic tensions of the day, and breathtaking fashions in jewelry, clothes, and art. In fact, a pearl drop earring similar to Griet’s is also pictured on the cover of GIRL ON THE GOLDEN COIN.
GIVEAWAY! To celebrate the release of GIRL ON THE GOLDEN COIN and the splendor of this era, my publicist is giving away one free copy of the book, along with a pair of seventeenth-century-style pearl drop earrings hanging from sterling silver hooks. I hope the lucky winner comes to love this period in history as much as I do.
Comment on this post by noon EST on Friday, February 14th, and you’ll be entered to win Marci’s special giveaway. U.S. addresses only, please. Follow The Debutante Ball on Facebook and Twitter for extra entries—just mention that you did so in your comments. We’ll choose and contact the winner on Friday. Good luck!
About Marci Jefferson: Marci grew up in an Air Force family and so lived in numerous places, including North Carolina, Georgia, and the Philippines. Her passion for history sparked while living in Yorktown, Virginia, where locals still share Revolutionary War tales. She lives in Indiana with her husband and children. This is her first novel. Visit her website at http://marcijefferson.com/.
Love historical novels &would love to read this book.
Thanks for joining us today, Marci, and congratulations on Girl On the Golden Coin!
Girl With a Pearl Earring is one of my favorite novels; I read it when it first came out, when my best friend who’d read it and loved it handed it to me and said: “you need to read this.” I loved it so much that once I returned his copy to him I went and bought my own!
I’m so excited to read your novel 🙂
Natalia,
Don’t you love it when a friend recommends just the right book! Thank you for being excited about GIRL ON THE GOLDEN COIN!
Although I haven’t read Girl with a Pearl Earring, I love the painting. Much like the Mona Lisa, I wonder what she is thinking. Would love to read Girl on the Golden Coin. Congratulations on the first published novel. Celebrate!
Thank you so much, Debbie! I agree, I just want to know what the GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING is thinking! Such a beautiful portrait.
I’ve already read Marci’s wonderful novel (and since Marci and I are friends and published by the same house and same editor, please don’t put me into the drawing – I’m not eligible) – but I wanted to stop by and say hello and also say how much I loved GIRL ON THE GOLDEN COIN. Fans of historical fiction do NOT want to miss this!
Susan I’m so honored to be at Saint Martin’s Press with you!!!!!!
I loved that book, too, Marci! I’m very excited about your launch. I loved your book so much! Thanks for being a guest here at The Deb Ball.
Oh, thank you Heather! And thank you so much for including me in this fantabulous ball!!!!!
Welcome, Marci! I love THE GIRL WITH THE PEARL EARRING too. It was so unique–she introduced a new subgenre, didn’t she?
I can’t wait to read GIRL ON THE GOLDEN COIN–what a great slice of history!
Thank you, Lisa! I hope you like GIRL ON THE GOLDEN COIN!
And I agree, Tracy Chevalier most definitely started a trend with GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING. Such a special novel!
Loved Girl with the Pearl Earring and am dying to read GIRL ON THE GOLDEN COIN. What a treat to have another historical novel to read featuring Holland. I’m Dutch, so I’m prejudiced!
It’s fabulous to meet you, Hannelore! I’m so happy you want to read GIRL ON THE GOLDEN COIN! The Dutch situation is of primary importance to the plot, but none of the scenes take place in Holland. I hope that won’t deter you from trying and enjoying it!
I am captivated with this wonderful and thoughtful post. This historical sounds memorable and unforgettable. I am enthralled with this background information. Best wishes and congratulations and much happiness on the release.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Anne! I do hope you end up reading and enjoying GIRL ON THE GOLDEN COIN!
thanks for the chance to read this fabulous novel 🙂
I absolutely LOVE your book cover. I can practically hear the swish of the fabric of that golden dress.