Jessie Burton’s debut novel is unquestionably alluring and complex with a host of characters and a strong base of research by the author; and, set in 17th century Amsterdam, it is a beautifully written peephole into the world at the time.
The Miniaturist, to all intents and purposes, is an intriguing mystery set in an unusual historical context, and should have been plain sailing throughout, if the international reception to the book is anything to go by.
However, a part of my mind was constantly questioning small details as the story progressed. The main character, Petronella (Nella) Oortman is peculiarly worldly and a seemingly determined feminist who manages to travel unchaperoned through Amsterdam without being noticed, and while that may be nothing to pause on in a 21st-century novel, Nella’s background and place in history makes this piece of her character a little out of place.
That, combined with the many many elements of the story that seem to be almost like a soup of plots bound in one cover, decreased my love for this book ever so slightly. It seemed like Burton was trying to add in one too many elements to a single novel, and while she manages admirably well, at times it can be a little overwhelming.
The characters, a little too flat and only ‘outwardly’ formed for my liking, were still mysterious and compelling, especially Marin; and while the revelation at the end of the novel seemed incongruous after such a detailed and intricate storyline, overall, The Miniaturist was a polished and elusive debut boasting layers of secrets just waiting to be unfolded which I would definitely recommend.
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