BKMT READING GUIDES



 
Dramatic,
Unconvincing,
Interesting

5 reviews

The Miniaturist: A Novel
by Jessie Burton

Published: 2014-08-26
Hardcover : 416 pages
2 members reading this now
51 clubs reading this now
5 members have read this book
Recommended to book clubs by 3 of 5 members

Set in seventeenth century Amsterdam—a city ruled by glittering wealth and oppressive religion—a masterful debut steeped in atmosphere and shimmering with mystery, in the tradition of Emma Donoghue, Sarah Waters, and Sarah Dunant.

”There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed . ...

No other editions available.
Add to Club Selections
Add to Possible Club Selections
Add to My Personal Queue
Jump to

Introduction

Set in seventeenth century Amsterdam—a city ruled by glittering wealth and oppressive religion—a masterful debut steeped in atmosphere and shimmering with mystery, in the tradition of Emma Donoghue, Sarah Waters, and Sarah Dunant.

”There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed . . .“

On a brisk autumn day in 1686, eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman arrives in Amsterdam to begin a new life as the wife of illustrious merchant trader Johannes Brandt. But her new home, while splendorous, is not welcoming. Johannes is kind yet distant, always locked in his study or at his warehouse office—leaving Nella alone with his sister, the sharp-tongued and forbidding Marin.

But Nella’s world changes when Johannes presents her with an extraordinary wedding gift: a cabinet-sized replica of their home. To furnish her gift, Nella engages the services of a miniaturist—an elusive and enigmatic artist whose tiny creations mirror their real-life counterparts in eerie and unexpected ways . . .

Johannes’ gift helps Nella to pierce the closed world of the Brandt household. But as she uncovers its unusual secrets, she begins to understand—and fear—the escalating dangers that await them all. In this repressively pious society where gold is worshipped second only to God, to be different is a threat to the moral fabric of society, and not even a man as rich as Johannes is safe. Only one person seems to see the fate that awaits them. Is the miniaturist the key to their salvation . . . or the architect of their destruction?

Enchanting, beautiful, and exquisitely suspenseful, The Miniaturist is a magnificent story of love and obsession, betrayal and retribution, appearance and truth.

Editorial Review

No editorial review at this time.

Excerpt

No Excerpt Currently Available

Discussion Questions

Suggested by Members

What do you think would happen to the characters after the end of the book?
by jouelle3 (see profile) 04/23/16

Several phrases and mottos are used in this novel by the Miniaturist, and the other characters. Some were actual political phrases of 17th Century Amsterdam. Discuss their relevance to the story.
by ccroft78248 (see profile) 11/22/15

Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

No notes at this time.

Book Club Recommendations

Member Reviews

Overall rating:
 
 
by karen S. (see profile) 08/12/19

 
by Liz D. (see profile) 05/26/19

 
by Anna B. (see profile) 01/14/19

 
by Susan L. (see profile) 11/03/18

 
by Di K. (see profile) 10/20/18

 
by Kate B. (see profile) 08/06/18

 
by Tracy T. (see profile) 05/15/18

 
by Zoe R. (see profile) 04/16/18

 
by chastity e. (see profile) 03/15/18

 
by Christine V. (see profile) 04/13/17

Rate this book
MEMBER LOGIN
Remember me
BECOME A MEMBER it's free

Book Club HQ to over 88,000+ book clubs and ready to welcome yours.

SEARCH OUR READING GUIDES Search
Search




FEATURED EVENTS
PAST AUTHOR CHATS
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

Get free weekly updates on top club picks, book giveaways, author events and more
Please wait...