Questions About The Miniaturist (The Miniaturist, #1)

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Answered Questions (45)

Can I just ask why do people give a !lengthy! synopsys of the book, why don't they just tell us what they thought of it? It gets time consuming weeding through it all.

Librarian Laci I think people get "review" and "book report" mixed up. Reviews aren't meant to be like your book report from grade school. I'm with you, that irritat…moreI think people get "review" and "book report" mixed up. Reviews aren't meant to be like your book report from grade school. I'm with you, that irritates me too.(less)

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Ann The whole book is a puzzle, and nothing seems to be resolved. Nella has started to take control of her own life - in a mere 4 months. That's seems to …moreThe whole book is a puzzle, and nothing seems to be resolved. Nella has started to take control of her own life - in a mere 4 months. That's seems to be the plot.(less)

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Did I miss the reason for the 'miniaturist' in this story? I really enjoyed this but I feel if the miniaturist had been left out that it wouldn't of effected the story at all? If I am missing the symbolism of it could someone please enlighten me.

Laura As this book takes a feminist approach, I think the main role of the miniaturist is to show how Nella, a young woman living in a patriarchal society (…moreAs this book takes a feminist approach, I think the main role of the miniaturist is to show how Nella, a young woman living in a patriarchal society (thus, living a life of oppression- despite Johannes words) develops as a character from relying on the miniaturist as someone who holds her fate -like society portrays men to- but then as she grows in her role, she begins to learn that she is the dictator of her own fate, and therefore the role of the miniaturist (and as something she had come to rely on) is no longer necessary. The miniaturist, in a way, has helped Nella, and many more women, to understand that they are the "architect" of their own lives.
SPOILER: And I think it's also important that the gender of the miniaturist is revealed and given the same name as Nella, because it further emphasises this idea of overcoming female oppression.(less)

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It was written very well and I loved the details of the period. But did anyone else feel like the ending was a complete let down? It felt like the author realized she had left a roast in the oven and just ended the book!