Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Book of the month

Find reading inspiration on our Book of the Month forum.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Come and chat to Sunday Times Number One bestselling author Jessie Burton about THE MINIATURIST, Weds 25 Feb 9-10pm

156 replies

TillyMumsnetBookClub · 15/01/2015 10:10

Chances are you will immediately recognize the sumptuous cover of our February Book of the Month - THE MINIATURIST is one of the fastest selling debuts of the decade, clinching the top spot in the bestseller lists and winning a National Book Award. Set in seventeenth century Amsterdam, it is the story of freshly-married country girl Nella who arrives in her new townhouse to find a cast of strange characters. Johannes, her wealthy merchant husband, takes no interest in her, apart from giving her a miniature version of their opulent home. When Nella starts to fill it with tiny replica furniture, strange packages begin to appear, and the dolls house becomes an odd crystal ball that seems to foretell the fortunes of the house's occupants. As Mumsnetter tripfiction put it, ‘do you like The Girl with the Pearl Earring and Tulip Fever? (loved both myself). In which case I think you would love the Miniaturist’.

You can find out more on our book of the month page, where you can also win the chance to receive one of 50 free copies - go to the book of the month page to fill in your details. We'll post on the thread when all the copies have gone. If you’re not lucky enough to bag one of those, you can always get your copy here

We are delighted that Jessie will be joining us here on Wednesday 25 February, 9-10pm to discuss The Miniaturist, her tips on writing plus much more. Please feel free to discuss the book here throughout the month (avoiding spoilers if possible) and then come and meet Jessie on the night, and ask her a question or simply tell her what you thought of the book. Look forward to seeing you on the 25th.

iseenodust · 21/01/2015 12:34

A chance to read Waterstones book of the year - yes please pick me.

MNHQ
RachelMumsnet · 23/01/2015 09:39

The book giveaway is now closed and we'll be contacting all those who have been allocated books by the end of the day. If you haven't been selected this month, do buy a copy of the book and join in the discussion with author Jessie Burton on Wednesday 25 February.

hanbee · 23/01/2015 15:35

I loved this book and read it in 48 hours! I agree that the ending of the mystery was disappointing but the ending for the family of characters was much more important for me.

gailforce1 · 29/01/2015 13:14

So pleased - postman has just delivered my free copy. Thank you MN and Picador. Now just have to finish The Luminaries which I feel as though I have been reading for months and months!

frogletsmum · 30/01/2015 11:25

My copy just came through the letterbox - a lovely surprise as I'd forgotten I applied for it! Thanks MN and Picador. Looking forward to it.

booksandwool · 01/02/2015 17:26

My copy came a couple of days ago (thanks MN!), I started it straight away but am a bit early to form a view - but placemarking here!

Wings77 · 02/02/2015 23:31

Thank you for a copy of this book, I received it a few days ago. I have just started reading it and will write a review when finished. Looking forward to it!

AmeliaPeabody · 02/02/2015 23:52

I absolutely loved it.

Will we hear more of Petronella's story, and the miniaturist, in the future? I do hope so.

MrsRedWhite214 · 04/02/2015 21:01

I'm struggling to get into the book for some reason. Will keep going as there is so much hype around the book it must be worth reading.

Wings77 · 06/02/2015 12:01

Thank you for a copy of this book. I surprisingly enjoyed this book as it is not normally a genre that I would go for. I had seen all the hype about it and was not disappointed. Although this historical novel is a bit drawn out sometimes, it is still well worth read.

DontWorryBaby · 06/02/2015 16:53

Thoroughly enjoyed this book and grew very fond of Nella who matured as the story progressed. Despite the tragedies, the ending left me feeling hopeful for Nella as the woman of the house meeting her responsibilities. I'd love to know if you are planning a sequel or if this is a standalone novel?

DuchessofMalfi · 06/02/2015 18:16

Just started reading it this afternoon. Not had time to read much, but like it so far :)

Nanastel · 07/02/2015 11:00

Yes!
It was ended as if the beginning of a series, or at least a sequel. I think the research was good and was with the heoin all the way!
V good read.

MovingBack · 09/02/2015 10:05

Thank you to Picador/Mumsnet for sending me a copy of this book. I received it last week and read it in one day - I LOVED it! The quality of the writing itself is superb, such beautiful prose. And the content is utterly compelling. The author has evoked the time and place incredibly well - I was completely immersed in 1680s Amsterdam. Also the characters are very well drawn - it is a huge achievement that the characters, particularly Nella and Marin, develop in such a short space of time but in an utterly convincing way. As if that's not enough there is so much to the story, both the main story regarding the miniaturist and several other themes as well - religion, marriage, town vs country, public/private lives to name but a few. It's definitely one of those books that you race through to discover the story and then re-read to savour the prose and mull over the multiple themes. In short, a triumph of a first novel! Well done Jessie, I look forward to reading your next book Grin

DuchessofMalfi · 11/02/2015 08:55

I finished reading it yesterday afternoon, and am already missing it :o

First off, I would like to say how much I enjoyed reading The Miniaturist. I couldn't put it down, and just wanted to keep reading it. I loved it. It held my interest right from start to finish. It really showed that a lot of research had been done into 17th Century Amsterdam, and I found that fascinating (want to know more about it now!)

So, my question(s) for Jessie Burton are -

(Apologies if I'm plot spoiling for anyone - don't read on)

  1. I found Johannes' fate really upsetting - did you come across many real life records, during your research, of this happening? It was brutal, an incident of cruelty inflicted by man upon man allegedly in the name of religion. I kept hoping that there would be a way round it. So sad.
  1. Were miniature houses often given to brides upon marriage as a way of teaching them how to manage their new home? Was it a fashionable status symbol amongst the wealthy merchants' wives, as implied here - something to boast about the cost and the materials involved in the making?

Curious that they were seen to be so controversial - subject to an arbitrary banning, for claims of papist idolatry Confused

  1. I loved that the miniaturist could use such a house to influence people's lives. I couldn't decide whether she was a visionary or merely a spy, or perhaps a bit of both. I like a bit of mystery, but would have liked to have had more about her in the book. So, do you plan to use her again in a future novel? Or maybe one completely about her? I was left wanting to know more.
MrsRedWhite214 · 14/02/2015 08:26

I struggled to get into this book at first as the scene was set and necessary characters introduced, but this wasn't a problem for very long. Relationships grew and secrets were unveiled to really pick up the pace. This is a story of strong women in a male dominated world and acceptance of differences in a judgemental society. By the end of the book so much had happened that I immediately turned back to the beginning to read the first chapter again . I hope there will be a sequel.

queenoftheschoolrun · 15/02/2015 21:52

I enjoyed the book, the description of 17th century Amsterdam was fascinating and Nella was a likeable, strong character who had to grow up quickly as the story progressed. A real page Turner.

But, I was disappointed with the ending. Not with the turn of events or being left to wonder what would happen to the characters next but I wanted an explanation for the mystery and none was forthcoming. I found that frustrating.

whiskeytangofoxtrot · 15/02/2015 22:02

Marking place - am reading slowly - not much time atm, work,too many DCs Grin

sillylily · 16/02/2015 18:46

Thank you for my free copy. I am so glad Mumsnet sent me this because I loved it even though I probably wouldn't have chosen it myself. The language was rich but easy to follow, the setting was unusual and the plot was fascinating. From the moment I started to read I was reluctant to put this book down. There were secrets and revelations throughout the book which kept me hooked to the last page. Highly recommend.

booksandwool · 20/02/2015 09:49

I thought the setting was very well drawn and am intrigued to know whether the author was interested in Amsterdam in this period, then decided to set a book there, or came up with a plot, and then chose this place and period.

Original poster
TillyMumsnetBookClub · 23/02/2015 14:05

Thanks to everyone for their questions/posts so far, keep them coming and looking forward to seeing you all on Wednesday when Jessie joins us, 9pm...

OP posts:
gingercat12 · 23/02/2015 19:39

I read it last week. My family did not like it. They said I kept hiding from them, got up early and went to bed late and generally ignored them while reading. It is probably true. Blush Totally engrossing. As soon as it is published on my native language (in March) I'll order it for my Mom Grin.

Will you continue the story or is it up to our imagination to guess what happens next?

noscat · 24/02/2015 08:47

I agree - thoroughly enjoyed the book but was left with far too many questions at the end. Would definitely want to know more about the miniaturist and WHY. Perhaps a sequel or even a prequel is planned which would make more sense, but then why not market it as such?

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 24/02/2015 11:48

I really loved the book - beautifully written and totally engaging - so nice to be unequivocally on the side of the heroine too. *Spoiler alert**...

...I thought/hoped maybe that it would turn out to be Meerman's funeral at the end (and that Otto would dive in and rescue Johannes Grin). I actually thought it could have had a number of different plausible endings which is partly what made it so gripping, as was so keen to find out which one materialised - did you ever consider other outcomes?

And I agree with those who've said it would make a fab movie - have you had any interest?

Also like others, wondering what prompted you to write it?

(Thanks so much for coming on to answer our questions)

frogletsmum · 24/02/2015 11:54

I absolutely loved this book and thought the setting and the characters were beautifully described. The way Nella's world starts to unravel had me completely hooked, and I thought the fate of Marin and Johannes was unbearably sad. When I got to the end I wanted to start reading it all over again, and in fact I have been dipping in again just to relive the lovely writing. I do agree with many of the other comments that I was left wanting to know more about the Miniaturist though.

I've got two questions for Jessie: the first is about the magical element in the book, which is mysterious and quite understated. I read it that the Miniaturist is using her magical skills to influence Nella's, and other womens', lives in a positive way - was that your intention? In your research did you come across any examples of magic being practised in spite of the strict rule of the church?

My other question is about the food! I loved all the wonderful descriptions of food preparation and feasts. Did you sample any of these dishes, or cook them as part of your research?

Thank you to Jessie for a fantastic read and I look forward to her next one!