At eighteen, after the death of her father, Petronella is married to a merchant from Amsterdam, Johannes Brandt. Her mother makes the match and coaches her daughter for a productive marriage. On arrival at her husband’s home, Nella is greeted by her strict sister-in-law, Marin and the two servants Cornelia and Otto, but is disappointed to not see her husband welcome her. It is apparent from the start her household is kept under the tight control of Marin, but there is much Nella doesn’t know about her husband and her new family. She is affronted when he gifts her a miniature house and she commissions a miniaturist to help her furnish it, but the items she receives seem prophetic in hindsight.
A very haunting and tragic tale that is well told and immerses the reader into seventeenth century Holland and a very conservative society. The story was impossible to put down and Petronella a very worthy protagonist, who seems to endure all with much character and wisdom beyond her years.
Not written for the faint hearted, The Miniaturist reads like a mystery begging to be unraveled, it seems to accurately portray seventeenth century Holland, although I am no expert, and is very worthy as a notable read of 2014.
Links To Book:
Ajoobacats Blog 
I have this book sitting on my shelf right now. I can’t wait to read it.
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I hope you enjoy it at least as much as I did.
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This has been on my to-read list for some time; and I think it is about time I picked it up! Great review!
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Thank you, I’m sorry I didn’t get to this one sooner.
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I’ve been meaning to pick this up. Thanks for the review!
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I hope you enjoy it 🙂
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I have bought this one recently so I should be reading it soon, so it interested me to read your thoughts on this book! I love the idea of the historical fiction aspect having been done well as well as the whole mystery too!
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I enjoyed it but I hadn’t read all the hype about it, so went in with no Hugh expectations but it was such an easy book to fall into.
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I’ve had my eye on this book recently. Thanks for reviewing it. Now I’m more interested than ever to read it.
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