The Miniaturist Episode 1 Review

Period pieces, especially BPD’s (British Period Pieces) are known pretty formulaic. As much as I enjoy a good BPD, it’s nice to watch one that steps out of the box.

On Sunday, the first episode of the three-part miniseries, The Miniaturist (based on the book of the same name by Jessie Burton), premiered on PBS.

Petronella Brandt or Nella as she is known (Anya Taylor-Joy) is a young woman who has just married Johannes Brandt (Alex Hassell), a mysterious older man who earns his living in trade. Her treats her well, but keeps her at an emotional arms length. His unmarried and religious sister, Marin (Romola Garai) rules the household. Nella’s wedding present is a dollhouse that looks too much like the real thing. Somehow, the dollhouse is telling Nella the truth about her new life and the people in it, but what message is being sent and by whom?

I loved the first episode. It was tense, suspenseful and pulled me in immediately. If I had a time machine to move ahead to this coming Sunday, I would. But I don’t, so I have to wait.

I absolutely recommend it.

Episodes 2 and 3 of the The Miniaturist air on Sunday, September 16th and Sunday September 23rd at 9pm on PBS. The first episode is available online on the PBS website for a limited time. 

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Today Is 9/12

Today is 9/12. In New York City, it was foggy, wet and a perfect Netflix and chill day, if it was a weekend.

Yesterday was 9/11. For a short time, many of us stopped and remembered the nearly 3000 innocent souls whose lives were taken so unnecessarily.

As I walked around lower Manhattan this morning, I kept thinking that it felt like an ordinary day. People were going to work, to school and just going about their daily business.

And yet it wasn’t. 9/11 still surrounds the area. It’s akin to a somber blanket that both comforting and mournful at the same time.

The city, like her residents are not known for staying down for long. No matter what happens, we find a way to slog through, no matter how difficult it is.

9/12 is a reminder of that. Today is 9/12.

 

The Tattooist of Auschwitz Book Review

The few that survived Auschwitz relied on wit, skill or just plain chance.

Lale Sokolov is one of the few who did survive Auschwitz. He did so by becoming the Tätowierer (responsible for carving the numbers into the arms of his fellow prisoners). His story is recounted in the novel The Tattooist of Auschwitz. Written by Heather Morris, the book follows Lale from his first days at the notorious death camp until the end of the war when he and the rest of the survivors are freed from captivity. Instead of outright murdering him, the Germans use his multi-lingual ability for their own uses.

While this is happening, Lale is trying to save as many of his fellow prisoners while he is falling in love with another prisoner, Gita. It is their relationship and mutual love that helps him to stay alive when he knows that death is all around him.

This book is amazing. If nothing else, it is a reminder that hope and love can still exist when it seems impossible that neither should exist.

I absolutely recommend it.