The Miniaturist. Well I’ll start by saying, I was so so sad finish. What else was going to be as good this year? I started on a whim. I wanted to try Amazon Whispersync and I needed a book that was enabled. Having seen this book front and centre in every bookshop in the city, I thought I’d give it try. Had I bothered to do any background reading I would have realised that it’s one of the most acclaimed books of the year. In my opinion it lives up to the hype.
Set in late 17th Century Amsterdam and told by young and naive Nella, you are quickly scooped up into a world of greed and wealth and judgement. Nella, an 18 year old girl from the countryside has been married to an older and very wealthy Amsterdammer, Johannes, a man with a great number of secrets. As a marriage present Johannes gives Nella a miniature house, in an effort to furnish the house Nella contacts the miniaturist who is seemingly all knowing and able to predict the events which will lead to great turmoil within the house, and the city.
It was a fascinating read, a great story paired with a well researched account of Amsterdam at the time. And while it is the first book of 2015, I think it will still be tops at the end of the year. Let’s hope this is a sign of things to come in the reading department this year.
Also, Whispersync? Awesome. Allowing you to flip between reading and audiobook is genius and exactly what I need for when I want to ‘read’ and do something else like knitting or sewing or dishes.
Made By Brie 