I said a few times while reading that this book was like swimming through peanut butter for me, and that still holds true. I had such a hard time reading it and went really fast to have it done for book club (and to get it over with). I often love over-the-top flowery writing, but this was ridiculous -usually was a long random assortment of words that made zero sense and didn’t further an analogy, just made the page confusing. I also couldn’t stand any of the characters. They were all ineffectual and annoying and unlikable. It felt like nothing was ever happening, despite the drama near the end of they book - they just stood around thinking and being kind of morose and not doing anything. Ever. With no explanation for why they never did anything. Finally, The Miniaturist is a misleading title, since that whole story is very unsatisfying and felt kind of peripheral. Obviously, people love this book - I know people who do! - so this is totally my own opinion, but it really didn’t work for me.