Library News and Views

By Francine Brady

“The Miniaturist,” by Jessie Burton, takes place in the pious city of Amsterdam where gingerbread people cookies are considered idols and where the only thing greater than God is gold.  

Eighteen-year-old Petronella “Nella” Oortman begins her new life as the wife of the wealthy merchant Johannes Brandt.  Moving from the countryside with its friendly ways, she moves into the closed world of the Brandt household.

After being left alone on her wedding night, she finds her husband rarely by her side even after they return to Amsterdam.  Whether he is at home or traveling, Johannes prefers to leave Nella in the care of his sharp-tongued spinster sister, Marin, and the close-mouthed staff.

Nella feels unwelcome and alone until Johannes gives her a cabinet that portrays a miniature sized replica of their home. Nella hires the services of a miniaturist who provides the cabinet with tiny characters who mirror their real life counterparts in eerie and unexpected ways. As the closed doors of the Brandt household secrets start to unravel, Nella must steadfastly face her fears, lose her naiveté and become a strong-willed woman or everything and those she cares for are to be lost.

Beautifully written, “The Miniaturist” is a story of love, suspense, betrayal, appearance and truth.

If you are a reader who skips to the back of a book to read the end of the story first — DON’T.  It will ruin the story.  I do recommend that once you have finished the story, go back and re-read the first chapter. You will see why the beginning is really the end.

This book is available at the Havre-Hill County Library. If you have any questions, please call us at 265-2123, email us at [email protected], or just drop in at 402 3rd St., Havre MT 59501.

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• Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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• Closed Sundays