Amsterdam, in the late 17th century, is a city of hidden opulence and religious repression. Eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman enters a prosperous, but sham marriage, with the merchant Johannes Brandt. When her husband presents her with a replica cabinet house, she finds that
…more the mystery and deceit that surrounds her is duplicated in the miniatures she acquires to furnish the house. If this book had been a simple romantic coming of age story, I would have no quarrel with it. This is an interesting historical setting and I cared about eventual outcome for these characters. The quality of the writing holds up well enough for a summer beach read, but given the heavy thematic content of the plot, I was looking more.
It’s likely that my expectations were too high. The historical setting brings Chevalier’s Girl with a Pearl Earring to mind. The level of deceit and secrecy in the household made me think of The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. I looked for that level of excellence in the prose, and I didn’t find it. The title of the book lead me to believe that the miniaturist would be an active character. In fact, she becomes a rather awkward plot device that doesn’t quite achieve the level of magical realism. This book is full of complex themes, probably too many of them. The author’s treatment of the religious and sexual repression of the Brant siblings felt a bit too 21st century.
This book did hold my attention. I cared about these characters and their spiraling tragedy. It’s just a shame that the writing didn’t quite support the depth of their story.
I had an advanced reader copy of this book. It is set to be published in August 2014. (less)
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