Jan 13, 2024margardenlady rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Nella is married into an 17th century family of a merchant trader, and immediately she sees that the house has secrets. She is not allowed to take on her full role as wife, and is pacified by the gift of a doll house miniature of their…
Feb 28, 2023wcbind421 rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
Amsterdam, 1686. 18 Y.O Nella Oortman arrives alone in Amsterdam, the bride of rich merchant Johannes Brandt, who's decades older. She's not exactly welcomed into the household which consists of Johannes, his stern unmarried sister…
Jan 14, 2022HPL_Michelle_N rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
It’s 1686. Nella has traveled from her home in the countryside to Amsterdam to join her new husband’s household. But when she arrives, being the wife of a wealthy merchant isn’t at all what she imagined. Somehow Nella has to learn how to…
Jun 08, 2021amygilhoi rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
I so wanted to like this book.
Let's start with what this book does well:
-Clearly researched setting and history!
-Potential for an interesting story!!
-uhhh...
Yeah. The story idea is well thought out and there clearly was so much…
May 25, 2021JessicaGma rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I had waited on this title for a spell, and I don't know if I quite enjoyed it after the wait. It's a strange sort of historical-ish, but also magical realism-ish book set in 17th century Holland. Some of the reveals were a little "hunh,…
Apr 08, 2021ArnoldSummer rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
The Minaturist has a pinch of every kind of fairy tale spice--family tension of secrets, knowing servants, towny mores, insufferable pious jerks, magic, bargaining, and the "to be continued" ending.
Oct 26, 2018DPLheather rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
After seeing this on OPB I had to read the book, and I'm so glad I did. It's, of course, even more captivating. An excellent historical novel about a time I know very little about, and a strong woman who rises above all that is set…
Aug 30, 2018Dream24 rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
The cover was what attracted me to read this book.
I very much enjoyed the details about the figurines and miniatures made of the various characters that come into Johannes Brandt's home. Especially the way things develop and how the…
Aug 23, 2018jeanie123 rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I found this book to be a historical, magical mystery that never really explained the central theme of the plot narrative. The elements were there for a good story but somehow it fell flat for me. It also seemed a bit incredulous that all…
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PCOGGER
Jul 29, 2018
Excellent read. Some nice plot twists and just the right amount of plausible imagery.
This story follows Nella, an intelligent and adventurous but still naive eighteen year old from the countryside of 17th century Netherlands who needs to make a good marriage after her father dies of drink and leaves her family without…
May 19, 2017RainyMe rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
What a miserable book. It is not believable that so many horrible things could happen to one person. The story is not about the miniaturist, who is a mystery figure to the end, it is about how many awful happenings can be crammed into one…
Apr 19, 2017AlteredStaite rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
So many books I've read lately have been hugely disappointing so I give this four stars only because it's the first book that's held my interest enough to actually get to the end.
It's not worth all the hype but I've come to realize…
Apr 18, 2017gabym17 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
if you want to read a really great book with depth and detail, this is your golden pick. Burton gives us an amazing setting and detailed Amsterdam and the story of this woman is just amazing. I loved it, and I highly recommend this great…
I really enjoyed the historic Amsterdam setting and the characters. The main character, Petronella, has been given a miniature house that is a replica of her own home. Once she starts having it furnished with miniature items, mysterious…
Jun 09, 2016luckylorie rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I agree with amukhrj. This book was stunning in its abilitiy to hold me in thrall through page after page. It has been one of the best books I've read in the last three or four years, in terms of a quite unique plot line, suspense, and…
May 15, 2016amukhrj rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A real gem of a book! Highly recommend it! The process of reading was like a budding flower blooming; layer by layer a mystery brewed and unfurled at the end with an ending was unhappy with. I won't spoil the ending by revealing much more…
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The Miniaturist