The Miniaturist

Amsterdam: Where the pendulum swings from God to a guilder.

This started out well but it turned out to be quite a lackluster. The setting was pretty much ruined by unconvincing characters who had unclear, non-nonsensical agendas. Despite having a few major players we barely find anything more meaningful about them, not just their secrets. Their interactions are maybe too superficial and there are more questions that answers at the end, including how the miniaturist knew what would happened in the future or what had already happened but was never revealed to the public.. I was pretty much drawn it by the blurb which clearly oversells the miniaturist and it will probably lead to many people being disapointed. The themes tackled are intriguing but I wasn't sold on the execution despite the fact that the writing style was quite enjoyable.

4.5 stars. I was so pleasantly surprised with this book. I noticed it only had a 3.5 rating and did not expect much. But I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the characters, the mystery and even the way some big issues were dealt with. Yes, Burton probably tried to do too much, but I appreciated that Nella wasn't always this fierce heroine, I liked her growth and her flaws.

There are some run-of-the-mill things about this story: powerless women struggling for self determination in 17th century Europe, oppressed by a rigid society where everyone polices each other and where religious authorities have no mercy. A young woman enters a household that seems hostile, but through her upright character and kindliness she wins friendship. However, this novel is anything but ho-hum. Characters steadfastly refuse to do what you expect them to do, or say what you expect them to say. Mysteries are revealed, but in their own time, not when you expect them to be. There is a feeling of out-of-control-ness that is disorienting, but appropriate. A satisfying novel.