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Book set in Amsterdam that's not The Miniaturist?

17 replies

JasmineBuckles · 21/05/2015 17:34

I'm going to Amsterdam next week, on my own so there will be lots of reading time. I would love to read some more fiction set there before I go. 1920's and 30's Amsterdam especially, as I'm staying in a really cool Art Deco hotel.

Does anyone else read fiction set in a place they're about to go to, to sort of get in the mood, or is it just me?

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DoctorDonnaNoble · 21/05/2015 17:40

Postcards from No Man's Land is set in and near Amsterdam in the 1940s and 1990s. Aimed at young adults but a marvellous book

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Muskey · 21/05/2015 17:41

Can't suggest anything but I really regretted reading the minaturist

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theaveragebear1983 · 21/05/2015 17:49

The Houdini girl by Martin bedford is one of my favourite books and parts of that are set in Amsterdam but not in the 20's or 30's.

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IggyStrop · 21/05/2015 17:52

Amsterdam, by Ian McEwan.

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Mehitabel6 · 21/05/2015 17:56

Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach ( hope it is the right spelling)

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DuchessofMalfi · 21/05/2015 18:30

I think The Dinner by Herman Koch is set in Amsterdam and, of course The Diary of Anne Frank.

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hackmum · 21/05/2015 19:17

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt - the last section is set in Amsterdam.

If you don't mind teen fiction, then part of The Fault in Our Stars is set in Amsterdam.

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Horrormoanal1 · 21/05/2015 19:18

The crime thriller, "The Girl Who Wouldn't Die" is set mainly in Amsterdam, but it's modern day. If you like Nesbo and Larsson, you'll like this.

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JasmineBuckles · 21/05/2015 20:34

Thank you, these are all great suggestions.
I've read The Dinner, The Goldfinch, Anne Frank and The Fault In Our Stars, although Anne Frank is on my list of re-reading to do.
The Miniaturist was just ok. Not unreadable, but ok.

I have downloaded all of the other suggestions for Bank Holiday/aeroplane reading. I'll let you all know how I get on.

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snozzlemaid · 21/05/2015 20:42

Girl with a Pearl Earring.

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tripfiction · 22/05/2015 16:31

Hi @JasmineBuckles - do we read books set in location? Of course. You have got some good suggestions :

After the Silence by Jake Woodhouse
The Apothecary's House by Adrian Mathews
The Good Thief's Guide to Amsterdam by Chris Ewan
The Light of Amsterdam by David Park
House of Dolls by David Hewson (TF reviewed it here www.tripfiction.com/house-dolls-fiction-set-in-amsterdam/ )
Widow for a Year by John Irving

Have fun choosing... and have a great trip!

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Fionajaneblushes · 22/05/2015 18:03

I second A Widow for One Year, one of my favourite books.

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Atalanta · 22/05/2015 18:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AliceLidl · 24/05/2015 10:03

Part of Where were you Robert? by Hans Magnus Enzensberger is set in Amsterdam.

It's about a boy who accidentally time-travels into the past, with no idea how it is happening or how to control it, each time going further back in time.

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StupidBloodyKindle · 03/06/2015 00:38

Us David Nicholls has some scenes in Amsterdam.
The fault is in our stars has one chapter/plot turn there, there is even a bench the cast sat on when it was filmed, which is now being revered by the youth of today Wink

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SoljaBonita · 03/06/2015 01:20

the goldfinch by donna tart

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Valski · 06/07/2015 22:58

Hi all,

A novella treat is The Harbourmaster by Daniel Pembrey.. Sharp, well plotted, realistic and developed characters and a great taste of history and social politics over the years and how they have changed.

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