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dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Homophobia
The mysteries, twists, and secrets of The Miniaturist make this book hard to put down. I was so easily caught up in the story of Nella and her new life and family in Amsterdam, it was bittersweet reaching the end of the book. I love that not all of the questions were answered, but felt the ones that needed to be were - the rest leaving the reader to wonder. This is definitely a book that stays in your mind long after you've read the last page. It is very much worth reading. I only gave it four stars because it didn't end the way I hoped it would (silly, I know)...
I liked reading a story about Amsterdam as it is so close to home. The historical elements combined with a bit of mystery made the story work for me, although I didn’t like most of the characters. But all in all I really liked this book. Especially reading it in December. Somehow it fits with the darkness from the book.
Quote:
She closes away the church’s cool interior, turning to face the sun, heading from the ringed canals toward the sea. Starling, she thinks, if you believe that building is the safer spot, then I’m not the one to set you free.
Quote:
She closes away the church’s cool interior, turning to face the sun, heading from the ringed canals toward the sea. Starling, she thinks, if you believe that building is the safer spot, then I’m not the one to set you free.
Ultimately inconclusive, but a captivating read nonetheless. Is it me or is every book set in old Amsterdam about a poor young girl coming into a rich, merchant-class household and having to cope with some hushed family shenanigans and mysterious artists? (A la Girl with a Pearl Earring, Tulip Fever...)
Not the best novel by Jessie Burton I’ve read, but still very good. A great twist near the end.
Don't know what all the fuss was about. Am I the only one who can't see the relevance of the character of the miniaturist in this story of a family whose secrets eventually catch up with them? Disappointed
slow-paced
A lot of promise, intriguing, highly unsatisfactory ending
4.5 stars
I was unsure at first how to rate this as I enjoyed this book so much, I just felt the ending took away that last half a star as I felt I had so many unanswered questions, and I felt that some parts in the book were a bit pointless and didn't really have any meaning to them. I thought about rating lower, but I did love this book and I thought it was very well written and researched. I then went back and reread the first chapter and I felt a bit more satisfied as I felt things started to make a bit more sense as it meant nothing at the start, and I realised that not all books have to have the outcome you expect and it does leave that bit of mystery even if I did want to know more about certain characters.
I was unsure at first how to rate this as I enjoyed this book so much, I just felt the ending took away that last half a star as I felt I had so many unanswered questions, and I felt that some parts in the book were a bit pointless and didn't really have any meaning to them. I thought about rating lower, but I did love this book and I thought it was very well written and researched. I then went back and reread the first chapter and I felt a bit more satisfied as I felt things started to make a bit more sense as it meant nothing at the start, and I realised that not all books have to have the outcome you expect and it does leave that bit of mystery even if I did want to know more about certain characters.
Very well written and very intriguing. But it was just so damn sad.