The Miniaturist
Books | Fiction / General
3.8
(298)
Jessie Burton
Sold in over thirty territories, this evocative debut in the tradition of Sarah Dunant, Tracey Chevalier and Emma Donoghue is set among a wealthy, dysfunctional family living in Amsterdam in 1686 during the decline of the Dutch Golden Age"There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed . . ."On an autumn day in 1686, eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman knocks at the door of a grand house in the wealthiest quarter of Amsterdam. She has come from the country to begin a new life as the wife of the illustrious merchant trader Johannes Brandt, but instead she is met by his sharp-tongued sister, Marin. Only later does Johannes appear and present her with an extraordinary wedding gift: a cabinet-sized replica of their home. It is to be furnished by an elusive miniaturist, whose tiny creations mirror their real-life counterparts in unexpected ways . . .Nella is at first mystified by the closed world of the Brandt household, but as she uncovers its secrets she realizes the escalating dangers that await them all. Does the miniaturist hold their fate in her hands? And will she be the key to their salvation or the architect of their downfall?Beautiful, intoxicating and filled with heart-pounding suspense, The Miniaturist is a magnificent story of love and obsession, betrayal and retribution, appearance and truth.
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More Details:
Author
Jessie Burton
Pages
416
Publisher
Harper Collins
Published Date
2014-09-02
ISBN
1443428485 9781443428484
Ratings
Google: 3.5
Community ReviewsSee all
"A fascinating story of the late-1600s. The author paints a sharp picture of morals, commerce and women in Amsterdam as a young wife learns her way with a new husband who is not what he seems. An eerie plot line runs beneath the story, and it is an interesting way to keep the story moving smoothly."
Diane Morello
"I really loved this book. Unusual and beautifully written. "
B J
Barbara Jenkins
"Slow beginning. The last 1/3 of the book was great though. I finished almost a week ago and I’m still thinking about it "
N.R.D.
"Great book! Just found out it’s also a series with Anya Taylor-Joy. "
Heather Sias Starr
"I loved this book, and once I started in earnest, I could not put it down. It was not what I expected at all. It was much darker. The miniaturist does not play as big of a part as I expected either. I can’t even put my finger on what made me love this book. If I had to guess, it might be the setting of 17th century Amsterdam which is really brought to life, or the dark themes the book dealt with. I can’t wait to see the adaptation on PBS!"
"Loved this visceral book that transported me into another time and place. Great commute read, which had me gasping at the twists. Also loved the BBC TV adaptation."
Annie Fawke
"Hard to describe what genre this falls under…great story of love and loss and how societal norms serve to help keep everyone in check - especially our marginalized friends in the LGBTQ+ community. "
D'Anne LaSavage
"It had a great twist and just a great story overall"
Gemma Allen
"I enjoyed it! Maybe a 3 out of 5 stars? "
M M
Melissa Munoz
"I have to admit that this book didn't grab me from the beginning. I almost bailed on it, but at the end of Part I the plot thickened and I decided to keep listening to the audiobook. I'm very glad that I didn't chuck it because it really turned around and I found myself trying to get as much listening in as I could. The title is a bit misleading because although the miniaturist plays an important role, she isn't the main character. I sometimes found myself wishing that Nella could do something, anything, to turn things around, but I realized toward the end that during the set time period, things would remain on the path. It is a beautiful story of self discovery and determination for Nella and just a bit heartbreaking."
Erica Ross
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