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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
An easy and mostly entertaining summer read. The world of business and life in Amsterdam provides a blurred backdrop for the foreground of the story - that of the Brandt household and the people (particularly the women) who inhabit it.
The miniaturist provides another level to the story, exploring and reflecting ideas such as growth, freedom, truth, lies, secrets, religion, business and life and death and many more.
Although it felt like a slow start the story gained momentum eventually and kept my interest to the end.
The miniaturist provides another level to the story, exploring and reflecting ideas such as growth, freedom, truth, lies, secrets, religion, business and life and death and many more.
Although it felt like a slow start the story gained momentum eventually and kept my interest to the end.
I really enjoyed this book. The story just kept building and building and kept me wanting to stay up late to read more. All of the characters were interesting and the plot felt very unique. The mystery around The Miniaturist was an undercurrent ever present but never clearly defined while the turmoil of love and family and business and betrayal all played out on the surface.
The real rating would probably be more like 4.5 because it was the story that pulled me in and not the writing per se, and I usually only give a full 5 to books I just LOVED, but I've just finished the book and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and I can't find anything to complain about so giving it the 5 here.
The real rating would probably be more like 4.5 because it was the story that pulled me in and not the writing per se, and I usually only give a full 5 to books I just LOVED, but I've just finished the book and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and I can't find anything to complain about so giving it the 5 here.
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
informative
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Beautifully described and conceived period piece with elements of mystery, confusion, delight and fear. Seventeenth century Amsterdam offers few options for families with debts or unmarried adult siblings. When these two social problems seek a shared solution, the outcome is not advantageous for all parties. This tale is an ambitious undertaking that seeks to weave multiple complex stories together. While some succeed more than others, transporting the reader to another time and place, overall it is a joy to experience.
-Suzanne R.
-Suzanne R.
looking forward to watching ministries on PBS which starts tonight September 9, 2018.
Potentially a good premise, however it is horrifically written.
Loved this. Liked the fact it was set in a country and a period of history that I have not read much about.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I said a few times while reading that this book was like swimming through peanut butter for me, and that still holds true. I had such a hard time reading it and went really fast to have it done for book club (and to get it over with). I often love over-the-top flowery writing, but this was ridiculous -usually was a long random assortment of words that made zero sense and didn’t further an analogy, just made the page confusing. I also couldn’t stand any of the characters. They were all ineffectual and annoying and unlikable. It felt like nothing was ever happening, despite the drama near the end of they book - they just stood around thinking and being kind of morose and not doing anything. Ever. With no explanation for why they never did anything. Finally, The Miniaturist is a misleading title, since that whole story is very unsatisfying and felt kind of peripheral. Obviously, people love this book - I know people who do! - so this is totally my own opinion, but it really didn’t work for me.