UAPL Adult Services discussion

In 1686, 18 year-old Nella Oortman arrives in Amsterdam as the new bride to the older merchant trader Johannes Brandt. She arrives to find her new home less than welcoming, her husband kind but distant, and her new sister-in-law strict and sharp tongued.
As a wedding present Johannes gifts her with a replica of their home. To furnish it Nell hires a miniaturist, whose tiny creations mirror their real-life counterparts in eerie ways. Soon Nell is uncovering secrets and begins to understand the dangers that await them.

So what did you think of the novel? I really enjoyed the time period. It's not one I'm very familiar with and it made me want to read about the history of Amsterdam. Did anyone else feel that way? I also found the mystery of who the miniaturist was and how they knew so much about the family intriguing.

Ooh, this sounds so good!!! I love the Dutch golden age, and love a creepy sounding mystery--I'll put this on my Goodreads to-read list.

Dena wrote: "Ooh, this sounds so good!!! I love the Dutch golden age, and love a creepy sounding mystery--I'll put this on my Goodreads to-read list."

Sounds like this book is perfect for you! I loved Burton's portrayal of Amsterdam's puritanical society.... and the consequences it has on the characters kept me turning the page.

I really liked this book. The premise was rather creepy but I did enjoy learning that the author based it on a doll house she saw in a museum in Amsterdam. You can see it here:

https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collect...

Also, the main character was based on the owner of the doll house, Petronella Oortman, who was a wealthy Dutchwoman. This makes the book even more interesting to me!

Also, a pet parrot named Peebo? YES, PLEASE.

Each characters' secrets played out so gradually that I felt compelled to keep reading. Sometimes all the suspense built up fizzled in the end. (The Marin, Frans, and Agnes Meermans triangle was much ado about nothing. Also, I wish the character of the miniaturist had been developed further.)
I found it helpful to reread the first chapter immediately after finishing the book. Everything comes full circle.
It was interesting to compare the 17th century attitudes toward homosexuality, distribution of wealth and power, and feminism with our lives today.

That does sound excellent. I'm not a fan of creepy but I do love tiny things and mysteries. I am putting this on request; you made it sound so tempting. I LOVED the link to the doll house, too, Jen.

I'm not sure I would say it's creepy but there is a mystery and suspense surrounding the Miniaturist and the other members of the house.
Karen, I also read the first chapter again when I finished the book and had the same experience.

I've started it; Nella and Johannes just returned from the party, and there was that unfortunate exchange in his study. I find myself a bit confused sometimes at the dialogue exchange--it can be a bit stilted. I imagine it is a reflection of the culture during that era, but it is a bit odd. However, I do want to keep going--I find the story intriguing, and am enjoying the setting.

Dena wrote: "I've started it; Nella and Johannes just returned from the party, and there was that unfortunate exchange in his study. I find myself a bit confused sometimes at the dialogue exchange--it can be a ..."

I totally agree the language feels stilted at times. But because so many of the characters have secrets, and because Nella is young and unsure of her new place in the world the dialog made sense to me and fit with the story.

I wonder if anyone else has found the dialog difficult and stilted?

I'm glad the story and setting are keeping you hooked :)

I started this some time ago and could not mesh with it. It seemed very slow paced. I decided to set it aside for another time.

Well, I finished it--and I agree with some comments I have heard, that the end fizzled a bit. I, too, wish the author would have developed the character of the Miniaturist. And, what will happen to Nella and her household? The ending didn't feel like an ending, especially considering all of the loose ends ($$, baby, Otto, societal backlash, what will happen to Johannes' warehouse of goods, etc.). Maybe I am thinking too much into it--possibly the fact that Nella chose to finally take ownership of her life was closure enough for most readers.