On an autumn day in 1686, eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman arrives at a grand house in Amsterdam to begin her new life as the wife of wealthy merchant Johannes Brandt. Though curiously distant, he presents her with an extraordinary wedding gift; a cabinet-sized replica of their home. It is to be furnished by an elusive miniaturist, whose tiny creations ring eerily true.
As Nella uncovers the secrets of her new household, she realises the escalating dangers they face. The miniaturist seems to hold their fate in her hands - but does she plan to save or destroy them?
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When eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman moves into a grand house in Amsterdam to begin her life as the wife of a wealthy merchant, she comes with hopes and dreams. But she is soon faced with the bitter end of her reality. Her husband presents her with an extraordinary wedding gift; a cabinet-sized replica of their home which is to be furnished by a miniaturist. But that is about it. Her husband shows no interest in her or in her life and her sister-in-law takes the charge of the house. Living in house full of secrets, she is curious about the miniaturist and his work.
I picked up this book because I heard conflicting reviews of it. Some loved it and some couldn’t even finish it. Obviously, that made me curious enough to pick it up to judge for myself.
I must admit that I found it a bit difficult to get in rhythm with the narrative. It took me quite a few chapters to really settle in with the book. I guess it has something to do with the narrative style which is slightly different from anything I have read before. After the initial hiccup though, once I settled into the story, it turned out to be an engrossing read.
What I loved best about the book is its plot and its ending. The mystery around the miniaturist kept me turning the pages. I do not want to give out any spoilers and so all I will say about the ending is that it was perfect for the buildup it got. It may disappoint some people as it is more of an open ending than anything. But for me it was the only way to do it.
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