Published: July 2014
Publisher: Picador
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 435
Another disappointing read. I seem to
be getting a run of them lately. I thought this would be one of my favorites of the year. Reading other reviews is making me wonder if
I was reading the same book.
The blurb lead me to believe I was
getting a mystery I could really get into. I was hoping for something
along the lines of Tracy chevalier or Michelle Moran. It didn't even
come close unfortunately.
Nothing really happens in the book.
It's badly paced and I almost gave up around the halfway mark. The
endless droning on about sugar drove me mad. 80% of the book is one
long pointless conversation
The story centres around Nella Orrtman.
An uninteresting young woman who has married into the Brandt
household. Her new husband is rather aloof and more interested in
his work than her. In an attempt to show some interest in her, he
presents her with a cabinet. An exact replica of the Brandt household
for Nella to decorate as she pleases.
Nella contracts a miniaturist to begin
crafting replica's to place in the cabinet. However she soon realises
that these pieces have more significance. Each piece seems to tell a
tale of what is to become. I wanted more of this. More mystery and
suspense but the books namesake never really takes her place in the
story.
It's hard to really put a finger on
what I didn't like about this book. It just didn't grab me. It was
mundane. The characters are one dimensional and completely lack in
emotional complexity. Nella and Johannes show no real interest in
each other so I felt no emotion towards the end when the tides turn
against him.
Nothing is ever really explained.
Nothing was convincing, so nothing was believable
Rating:
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
Thanks for this review. I totally trust your judgement (you and I are are two of the very few who didn't gush over the latest Picoult). There are so many books out there to choose from, I need ones where there is good character development, especially if it's not an action packed story.
ReplyDeleteAw, that's disappointing. It has one of my favourite covers of the year and I thought the premise sounded promising :( One dimensional characters do not though.
ReplyDeleteThe cover and the premise were what drew me to this too but it really was just dull!!
DeleteThis book has been on my shelf for a while now and I was really looking forward to it but I think I might hold off on it for a while now haha! It's the worst when a book is doesn't grab you, I've had the same experience a few times!
ReplyDelete