The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton. Reviewed by LR staff member
Seduced by the Title and the ‘Blurb’, this book
immediately attracted my attention. Set in 17th Amsterdam, full of
rich description it quickly transported my mind to a different Era.
The main character Nella Oortman, a beautiful 18 year old
girl marries a much older but wealthy merchant. Although pensive about her new
life and not entirely made welcome by her spinster sister-in-law, she feels
ready to encompass married life. However both her new husband and Sister-in-law
remain distant. The marriage remains unconsummated. Instead her husband
presents her with a resplendent gift of a miniature version of her new house.
To fill her time Nella orders some furniture pieces from the
‘Miniaturist’, who not only supplies her with her order but other items which
have a more curious symbolism. The relevance of the latter pieces only becomes
obvious later as the story unfolds. Nella determined to become more involved
with her husband’s life then makes a shocking discovery, from which there is no
escape. With this intense situation unfolding Marin the sister-in-law reveals
her own secret, the denoument unfurls with some devastating consequences. Nella
unable to seek out the Miniaturist for direction takes control of events
herself to start a completely new life.
An intriguing read, although the role of the Miniaturist
becomes slightly disappointing in the end.
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