The Miniaturist (The Miniaturist, #1) in 2015 Reading Challenge

Nov 11, 2014 Julia rated it really liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I wish I could give half stars on GoodReads! 4.5 stars. I absolutely adore stories like this, and this one reminds me of The Book Thief, which is one of my all-time favorites.

"Things can change."

I'm still in awe and confusion over the miniaturist. Who is she? Why did she set her sights so closely on Nella? Her allure is incredibly important to this story, and I don't think I ever got the answer I wanted.

Johannes and Nella's marriage was definitely not conventional, and indeed Johannes was cold I wish I could give half stars on GoodReads! 4.5 stars. I absolutely adore stories like this, and this one reminds me of The Book Thief, which is one of my all-time favorites.

"Things can change."

I'm still in awe and confusion over the miniaturist. Who is she? Why did she set her sights so closely on Nella? Her allure is incredibly important to this story, and I don't think I ever got the answer I wanted.

Johannes and Nella's marriage was definitely not conventional, and indeed Johannes was cold toward Nella at first. I kind of had an inkling of Johannes' desires from the get-go, but as his story unraveled, I couldn't help but feel for him. I was glad that he became friends with Nella after he was true to himself.

"Words are water in this city. One drop of rumor could drown us." says Marin. Such an ironic statement, particularly due to Johannes' demise.

I was so sad that Peebo had escaped. However, I think it was symbolic of the fact that Nella was transitioning from her childhood life to her new adult life, and Peebo was the last piece of that.

I really felt for Nella in regards to her marriage. She desperately wanted to do as she was told, to marry and bear children. At first, she thought she was just being denied by Johannes for an unknown reason. Once she discovered his homosexuality, I think she came to accept the fact that she would not have what she had once expected for her life. I think that is a good thing, though. I think this crusade toughened her up, exposed her naiveté and aged her significantly. I have full confidence that Nella could take care of herself in Amsterdam now.

Marin is such a fascinating character. She has so much depth and personality. The fact that she presented such a puritanical exterior, yet accepted her brother's homosexuality and was in love with a black man demonstrates that depth. I have nothing but respect and admiration for Marin. She knew what persona she needed to portray to Amsterdam, but knew who she was deep down regardless and lived to her own desires behind closed doors. She was a modest and strong yet caring woman.

It could be debated that Johannes is a hero, but I see him as more of a victim. That could be because of the way he died, but he was essentially subjected to live a life that wasn't accepted by the world, and that is the life of a victim for sure. I think he had heroic attributes in that he didn't deny his homosexuality even in jail, but all in all, he led a victim's life. ...more

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Mar 08, 2015 Payten rated it it was amazing

I don't even have words right now. I loved this book because it was so touching. You never think about the fact that these kinds of things really happened to people for a very long time. I feel like this is a book that makes you consider everything we take for granted on a daily basis. This book will definitely stay with me for a while, and I think it is very worth the time. I listened to this as an audiobook, and in my opinion it's a great one to listen to! ...more

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Jun 18, 2018 ktouton rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: chick-lit, historical-fiction

This book was a book club book.

It was ok, not great. IMHO, there were too many loose ends not tied up. I don't want to spoil the book.

I don't think I could recommend this book to many people. ...more

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