The Miniaturist

A Novel

De: Jessie Burton

Narrado por: Davina Porter

Now a television miniseries, as seen on Masterpiece on PBS

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.

Magical Historical Story of Secrets and Misery

Really well written book. It made me sad to read, but kept me fascinated with the magic and history and characters. It's a book about secrets and more secrets. And as each of the secrets came to be revealed more and more trouble fell upon the characters. I truly didn't want the story to end...I could have followed these characters infinitely.

Intriguing and a bit disturbing

The book is well narrated though there were times I had trouble keeping the dialogue straight based on the voices.

As for the story it is very good. The character development at the beginning was a bit slow but needed. The story is well illustrated in words and sufficiently detailed to depict the period. The content is at times distressing and a discussion on moral debate, love (marriage, family, friendship), prejudges, greed, ambition, and personal growth. (The human condition)

<br />Slow Start<br />

The book started slowly but a little ways in it got very
exiting. I especially enjoyed the character development.
The story line held many surprises.

Wonderful story, well done.

Excellent book, perfect reader, great story. The PBS series was a good, yet slightly different companion piece.

A decent story, but a bit predictable by the end

The writing is high quality and the narrator does a great job. I was disappointed with the way it ended.