The miniaturist

[Kangaroo1]

I'm about a quarter of the way through this and struggling to get sucked in, does it get better? Or for those who loved it, tell me why. I really want to like it!

[littlerach]

My friend read it and did mention it took 150 pages before she was enjoying it...
It's on my to read pile.

[pourmeanotherglass]

It does take off, its worth persisting.

[MerdeAlor]

I gave up, couldn't see why it was worth perservering. Following to see if I gave up in error.

[Loveleopardprint]

It gets much better and you do get drawn in. Most of my book group enjoyed it.

[claracluck1978]

It does draw you in, but agree it takes a while. I probably spent three or four nights having it send me off to sleep before it gripped me. Persevere if you can

[FizzyGood]

It does get better, but I found the end really disappointing. It was as if they just didn't know where to go with it so went with whatever they could to meet the deadline.

[Kangaroo1]

Lovely, this is good news. I hate giving up on books. I'm very much a completionist! Keep the comments coming though

[HomeIsWhereTheHeartIs]

I found myself really drawn in after about 100 pages, but quite honestly I wish I hadn't bothered with the rest of the book. The ending is such a let down.

[LouiseBrooks]

I chose it for my book group a couple of months ago. It took me a little while to get in, but I absolutely loved it in the end. Highly recommended.

[OttiliaVonBCup]

It's a very odd book.

[sunniest]

It took me a while to get into and then I was gripped to the end but looking back I am not sure why. I agree that it is an odd book!

[Mehitabel6]

A great book. The only one that all my book group have really liked.

[trixymalixy]

I persevered but the ending was a total let down.

[snozzlemaid]

Another one here who gave up. Didn't like any of the characters and really couldn't care what happened to any of them.

[TigerWhoCameForGin]

I really enjoyed it till the end, which was rubbish.

If you're enjoying the period though Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach is wonderful.

[SanityClause]

I thought it was fairly rubbish, to be honest. I did read it to the end. It wasn't heavy going, or anything, but I didn't find the characters very likeable, and I didn't really understand what the character of The Minaturist was all about. Was she making the story happen? And I couldn't work out why he just didn't get on and sell the bloody sugar. Just didn't get it, I suppose.

[CointreauVersial]

Loved it, thought it was very different. I was a little disappointed with the end, though.

[sunniest]

Sanity - agree with you. I couldnt understand why Johanne didnt want to sell and didn't really care about any of the characters that much. Also, considering the book is called after her, you could have not had the miniaturist in the story and it would hardly have affected it. I think it was finding out about her and her powers that kept me going so I was just left disappointed and a bit depressed at the end.

[CruCru]

I liked this a lot. I also just read The Girl on the Train. What else should I read?

[yesbutnobut]

It's a completely overrated book imo!!! It's like a book written by someone who's been to a creative writing course. The only thing I liked was the setting in Amsterdam but otherwise what a load of tosh. As others have said, what purpose does the Miniaturist serve?

[BaconAndAvocado]

God, it took forever to warm up! But when it finally did ALOT happened!

Overall, I was underwhelmed by the book, though, as others have said, enjoyed the settings and history elements.

[Kangaroo1]

I finally finished it. It did finally warm up, but I'd say not to the extent I wanted it to. Moments of brilliance amongst a lot of dull.

[Pumble]

I was close to giving up on this having been struggling to get into it for weeks but suddenly it got better and sucked me in. It does take a while though but I think worth persevering. I agree the ending was weak though-so much more could have been done.

[OttiliaVonBCup]

I keep thinking it could've been a good book.

[prepperpig]

I think it will get made into a film. Nicely shot, lots of dark rooms and meaningful looks. Then a kind of meh ending (or a Hollywood style rewrite to make it more marketable!)