The Miniaturist

By: Jessie Burton

Narrated by: Davina Porter

Length: 13 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Set in 17th-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, 18-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.

©2014 Peebo & Pilgrim Ltd (P)2014 HarperCollinsPublishers

Meh

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I had to force myself to finish this book. The characters weren't developed enough to make the story believable. Davina Porter's narration was great as always.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Station's Eleven

Which scene was your favorite?

None

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

If it had a good screenwriter.

Any additional comments?

Over-hyped

Narrator Davina Porter was Amazing...

A very good book, but Davina Porter breaths life into every story and makes it come alive.

very intriguing

This book had more than one twist I never saw coming. It kept me on the edge of my seat to the last page.

The Miniaturist

This was a great read!It started out a bit slow but I couldn't put it down.Davina Porter is the perfect narrator.

riveting read.

book was full of surprises. Completely unpredictable story. the author has the ability to terrify the reader with her excellent descriptive writing.

Great story

The weaving of the story kept me listening. The complex characters had me invested. A time era I can’t imagine living in but found myself imagining. I would love a sequel

Very pleasently surprised!

I read this book strictly based off the cover and really enjoyed the story! a young girl married off to a man of the city and copes with her new surroundings as best she can. The miniaturist herself isn't the sole center of the book but is one of the orbiting characters and adds an interesting mystery to the book. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters and flowing through the story. I loved the authors writing style and an eager to read more by her. I've also listened to other books narrated by Davina Porter and really enjoy her style!

Effective Slow-Burn Tension

At the core, it's a historical fiction about our choices between living according to others' expectations or our authentic selves situated in the intersectional nature of privilege and oppression, even when living in areas that are considered more accepting or tolerant for the time. It was fun to learn that religious purists outlawed frigging gingerbread men, too.

Ehh

I didn't find this deep or interesting, except for the parts about the city of Amsterdam. Generally the plot was sketchy, the motives and actions of the characters suspect, and the entire thing was way too vague. I am pretty good at reading subtle books, but I found this empty rather than subtle. Not recommended but not irredeemably awful I suppose.

so many loose threads

I wanted to love this book and as it unfolded I felt it could have lead down so many wonderful avenues. however, once I reached the end it was simply that... an end and not a great deal more.