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theladyjsays's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Violence, and Pregnancy
cicip's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a very fascinating story, with an intriguing plot and characters that, though not likable, were mostly well defined and developed. It kept me hooked, curious on who the miniaturist is.
It did leave me with lots of questions and a feeling that some of the things I read were lies - though I suppose this was intentional.
I do not understand why Cornelia and Marin said Frans was the father of the baby - surely they knew the truth would be visible the moment the baby would be born? Was the romance with Frans all a lie?
Some plot points and minor characters were underdeveloped - I wish Jack's motives were discussed more.
But even with a few holes here and there, I thlroughly enjoyed this slightly dark story where there's no happiness or redemption found at the end, but that still speaks of hope and...life going on in the face of dark events.
It did leave me with lots of questions and a feeling that some of the things I read were lies - though I suppose this was intentional.
Some plot points and minor characters were underdeveloped - I wish Jack's motives were discussed more.
But even with a few holes here and there, I thlroughly enjoyed this slightly dark story where there's no happiness or redemption found at the end, but that still speaks of hope and...life going on in the face of dark events.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Death of parent
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
daja123's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Racial slurs, and Racism
figsofpeach's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Homophobia, Torture, and Death of parent
Moderate: Racial slurs, Slavery, Grief, and Outing
Minor: Pregnancy
nicnocs511's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, and Religious bigotry
odds's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
My only previous encounter with Burton's books was reading The Confession which, although enjoyable enough, was more an "I saw a signed book on whim" kind of buy for me and wasn't the sort of book I usually seek out. Perhaps it wasn't the right one to start with. However, I had heard good things about The Miniaturist. My copy of this is pre-owned and a little shabby, but in a way that I think gives it character. I like it when books look well-read.
This is an incredibly well-crafted story about secrets, with a perfect historical setting to clash with the ideas of personal freedom and choice - in Amsterdam - "Where the pendulum swings from God to a guilder". People must live as they're supposed to - observed, like clockwork, all playing a well-oiled part in society. Absences are noted, money powers everything. Entirely deliberate then, I imagine, (small spoiler) that "The Miniaturist" whose presence seems to throw so many lives into turmoil was apprenticed to a clockmaker. It's about appearance warring with desire and reality, the lies and secrets that even the most pious seeming people tell and keep. Mostly a cast of women, it also involves a great deal of frustration at their various places and overall powerlessness in society. You form an opinion of each person, then have it altered by their actions before the end.
It has a sense of mystery which propels a reader through the story. I guessed a couple of the twists, but there are always more to come. You think you've worked something out, but it's a distraction. It's fantastic to read a story that features the figure of a "prophet", when the characters and reader both are often unable to see the warnings until events have already passed.
In short, I thought it was exceptional!
This is an incredibly well-crafted story about secrets, with a perfect historical setting to clash with the ideas of personal freedom and choice - in Amsterdam - "Where the pendulum swings from God to a guilder". People must live as they're supposed to - observed, like clockwork, all playing a well-oiled part in society. Absences are noted, money powers everything. Entirely deliberate then, I imagine, (small spoiler) that "The Miniaturist" whose presence seems to throw so many lives into turmoil was apprenticed to a clockmaker. It's about appearance warring with desire and reality, the lies and secrets that even the most pious seeming people tell and keep. Mostly a cast of women, it also involves a great deal of frustration at their various places and overall powerlessness in society. You form an opinion of each person, then have it altered by their actions before the end.
It has a sense of mystery which propels a reader through the story. I guessed a couple of the twists, but there are always more to come. You think you've worked something out, but it's a distraction. It's fantastic to read a story that features the figure of a "prophet", when the characters and reader both are often unable to see the warnings until events have already passed.
In short, I thought it was exceptional!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, and Violence
Minor: Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, and Sexual violence
charleyyyyy's review against another edition
I just did not care at all.
The racism and homophobia realy bothered me. It made me so uncomfortable, if I'd have known that this book would have contained such strong racism and homophobia, that is never combated, I wouldn't have picked it up.
I get that this fits with the time period and that it would have been unrealistic for a black man and a gay man to exist in this time and not face prejudice, but when writing things like that, the narrative should fight against this so that the book doesn't end up pushing these ideas.
For a white author to use the N word is gross and completely unnecessary.
It's clear that the author only uses Johannes' queerness as a shocking plot twist, and something to add to the tragedy of the main charicters life.
Also the word "sodomite" is used to describe his sexuality???
Speaking of the main charicter, i didn't like her at all. She was just so selfish and annoying and bland that I just can't get myself to care about her.
So I gave up reading it bc these are things I just can't get past. I know I won't enjoy reading it, so I won't.
The racism and homophobia realy bothered me. It made me so uncomfortable, if I'd have known that this book would have contained such strong racism and homophobia, that is never combated, I wouldn't have picked it up.
I get that this fits with the time period and that it would have been unrealistic for a black man and a gay man to exist in this time and not face prejudice, but when writing things like that, the narrative should fight against this so that the book doesn't end up pushing these ideas.
For a white author to use the N word is gross and completely unnecessary.
It's clear that the author only uses Johannes' queerness as a shocking plot twist, and something to add to the tragedy of the main charicters life.
Also the word "sodomite" is used to describe his sexuality???
Speaking of the main charicter, i didn't like her at all. She was just so selfish and annoying and bland that I just can't get myself to care about her.
So I gave up reading it bc these are things I just can't get past. I know I won't enjoy reading it, so I won't.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, and Slavery
Moderate: Misogyny and Blood
danikajoan's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Read this during my trip to Amsterdam and really enjoyed reading it within that setting (and gasped when I saw the cabinets at the Rijksmuseum that are so similar to the ones described in the book). I like this specific “young bride, mysterious husband (mean sister)” plot, reminds me of The Mercies and Phantom Thread and so many other stories I love. I felt like the writing here lacked a little bit of focus or direction but not enough to keep me from enjoying the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Violence, Blood, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Outing, Colonisation, and Classism
vanessaeco's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
Minor: Blood
gaeke's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
+1 for having short chapters. the first half of this book was slow. however, once we picked up it got dramatic. I didn't expect there to be conversations on racism, homophobia and sexism (in some way), though I wish more focus was given to opening up these conversations. nella on her own wasn't really a strong character and I hate to say it but johannes was more interesting. if the book had him as the main character I would've been more invested.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Racial slurs, and Sexism