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

[TillyMumsnetBookClub]

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.

@JustineMumsnet

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 ). 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)

Hi Justine, and thanks for your kind words. Glad you got behind Nella!
SPOILERS
there were several ideas I had for the end. In one, Marin escapes on a boat with her baby, but that’s pretty clichéd.
I did toy with the idea of saving Johannes, and believe me, I did not like what I had to do – but this was the society he lived in and it would have been hard for him to get out of it, even with his money. He wasn’t careful enough ?

The rights to make it into a TV series have been sold to Company Pictures – they’ve just made Wolf Hall and several other brilliant series, so I’m hopeful it will become a reality! Very pleased, as the Executive Producer really understands the vision I had for the book – its subversive, darker elements, and the mystery I leave up to the reader.

I wrote the book because a) I was bored in my job and looking for escape and b) when I saw the real dolls’ house in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam I knew it was a good story. Why did the real Petronella spend so much money on a house she couldn’t live in?! It went from there.

I'm feeling a bit slow here....that interpretation, Jessie (perhaps I shouldn't call it an interpretation given that you wrote the book) of Nella herself as being the miniaturist I love that, and it hadn't occurred to me. I also really like the analogy of Nella pursuing the miniaturist obsessively in the same way as the reader might.

@frogletsmum

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!

Thank you – to answer your first question – your reading is entirely justified, as I do leave it open to the reader (and Nella, Cornelia etc) to decide. Is she magic? For me, no, she isn’t in the strictest sense. She hasn’t got magic powers, although her reach is above and beyond that of most people. She is observant, subversive, a risk taker – she is absolutely trying to help Nella and influence her in a positive way, but she is doing it in a manner that encourages Nella to look at her OWN magic, her OWN strength, qualities and capacity to love. She does spy on the family, she watches them, and makes educated guesses. Cornelia is suspicious of her, but Nella, for a long time DOES think the miniaturist has prophetic qualities. That’s because ironically for Nella, it’s the easiest thing to believe.

Thank you re the food! I love eating – the only thing I’ve sampled are the modern version of pufferts. So delicious!!! You can get them on streetmarkets in Amsterdam. As for the boiled sturgeon and the pigeon slicked in ginger….well I’m happy to leave that in the book! I did find an amazing recipe book called The Sensible Cook from 1671, which was Dutch, and extremely helpful.

Hello Jessie
This book is quite different to the books I usually read, but I found it very refreshing, engaging and evocative. I also found myself caring about the key characters and enjoyed watching how they developed through the story. My questions are about the writing process. Firstly, how much research did you undertake in preparation for the book. Also, what have you as a writer learned about your own writing and also about yourself from writing this book (that you didn't know already)?
Really looking forward to this web chat!

Arti

@squeezycheesy

I'd be interested to know if the 'real' Oortmans have been in touch and, if so, what do they think of the book?

I have lots of other questions about creating fiction around individuals who can no longer have a say in what you do with them, but hopefully someone else will ask those as we can only raise one point!

Ha! No, no one has been in touch with me. I have had Dutch historians reading it for pleasure, but that’s the closest I’ve come.
I’ve only used Petronella and Johannes’s names – nothing else about them is biographically sourced. The real P was actually twice-married, having buried a husband and a child – this would not have suited the story (Nella being young and inexperienced) and I’m glad I didn’t know this at the time. The only character who is truly based on biographical evidence is the dolls’ house itself!

Hello, loved the book. Galloped toward the end!!!
was hoping to be at home to properly enjoy the chat but at a train station with ltd battery
Read this on an e- reader so didn't get the glossary which I would have loved during the actual reading?
What are your thoughts on kindles Jessie?
Also can you suggest an easyiky accessible history where can I read more about the history of this time? Am fascinated by this period after this book (and sorry to compare) Tracey chevalier
Thanks again

@Teladi

I really enjoyed the book (read it this month by coincidence)

The questions I wanted to ask have already been asked - I would love to know whether the miniaturist will go elsewhere and weave her magic in another way (assuming it was magic and she wasn't just really perceptive)

I knew nothing about this period in history but found the book very evocative. Rooted for Nella the whole way through, and never found it in me to dislike Marin for which I was glad in the end!

Thank you so much. I am Team Marin all the way. As for the miniaturist – much remains to be seen about her, I admit – although, as Marin says to Nella – ‘you saw what you wanted to see’ – for some readers they are happy with the mystery, that she remains unexplained, and for others, I can only apologise that they feel short-changed

@Holliegolightlyscat

I read this book over half term at our holiday home and I've never looked so forward to getting into bed! The weather was quite stormy and I would sneak off up to our little loft bedroom with the wind howling against the window, snuggle up under the duvet and become totally lost in the story (until my hubbys grumpy protests about needing the light switched off became too much!) Jessie's writing of Amsterdam in the 1600's was, I felt, an amazing feat. I felt like id been transported there myself, the detail was so intricate. the characters personalities are so rich, they come to life on the page. Nella is a brilliant heroine- likeable enough that we are engrossed in her story and rooting for her to the end but also flawed enough to make her very human and relatable. I am 35 years old but I really related to her youth and inexperience, that feeling of being old enough to marry and morph into all the trappings of adulthood but with scant idea of what exactly you are supposed to be doing! I was initially disappointed with the ending but I felt the Author wanted us to think about what happens next for ourselves. My own view is that nella starts out as a young and inexperienced pawn in a life that others seem to have invented for her, by the end that has changed (I don't want to put any spoilers in) and she has gained some vestige of power. She has realized her ability to take charge, that she is not as weak as she first thought. In short, she has grown up. I feel the message of the story is that there is no such thing as fate, and we must take control of our own lives. Of course I might be completely wrong! I would like to ask Jessie: How did you manage to write such an intricate account of Amsterdam in that era? Does Amsterdam hold any particular significance for you? And what was it that sparked the idea for the story? Also, at the end of the book it was actually baby Thea I felt most worried for, I was lying in bed fretting about her future! So put us out of our misery and let us know "will there be a sequel"? Surely there is so much more life and room for exploration left in this story?

I couldn’t have put it better myself. Thank you for such a perceptive and sensitive interpretation. You are bang on the money! We have to try our best to take control of our own lives, but there are always going to be things that elude us, and that’s just the way it is.

Nella moves from innocence to experience, she finds in herself that SHE can be a miniaturist too – in control, thoughtful, observant and supportive of those around her (Cornelia, Thea, Otto et al).

With regards to your questions:
Well – I guess I just read a few books on the society of the time – what they wore, ate, how they partied, what they feared etc etc. And looked at paintings. Just to try and build a picture in my mind of the world. At the time, A’dam was so rich that there is a wide legacy of architecture, paintings, plays, books, artefacts etc. You piece it together like a puzzle.

I was in A’dam in 2009 when I saw the real dolls’ house and was very drawn to it. It was as expensive as a real house and incredibly beautiful. It went from there.

Don’t worry at all about Thea. She’s going to be fine….

@carriemumsnet

I loved this book and couldn't put it down.I had to go back and read the beginning again, and a week on from finishing it still find myself trying to understand the miniaturist. I'm assuming that was your intention - to leave us guessing - but do you have/ did you have from the start a very clear idea in your mind how/why the miniaturist did what she did? And if so are there clues we are meant to find which would help us understand, or is the fact that there is no explanation, logical or otherwise, what you wanted the reader to understand.

Thanks so much for coming to talk to us and congrats on a fab book, I'll be recommending it to all.

Thank you for having me, and for reading it and for being kind enough to pass it on!

I always knew the role the miniaturist would have in the book. Nella is chasing the miniaturist, not realizing she’s really chasing herself – her own strength, her own powers of perception.

The miniaturist is both the beating heart of this book, and she is completely on the periphery of it. She is both an idea, and she is also an actual person. She has no magic powers, other than the ones other characters in the book, or indeed readers, wish to invest in her. She is almost an allegory of the power of imagination and the nature of perception, of the argument between fate vs self-determination. She is also just a woman with a good eye and a sense of what people are hiding – from themselves and each other. Marin says to Nella ‘You saw what you wanted to see’ – and so it goes with the miniaturist. Nella thinks she’s a prophet, Cornelia thinks she’s a spy – thus highlighting the fears and prejudices hidden in both those girls.

The miniaturist sees Marin in the church, rubbing her lower back. She sees her with Otto. She sees Nella’s hopefulness, she may even know about Johannes. It’s all explicable to a point, but my truer interest lay with Nella’s journey. And so, towards the closing stages of the book, the miniaturist withdraws from prominence, to leave the stage for another miniaturist, a woman ready to be the architect of her own fortune.

@Suzy2000

I wouldn't have chosen this book from the cover, title and description as it sounded so dull, but I decided to take a chance on the audio book. The Audible version is read by the author and it was great. No silly voices that you get with some audio books - just simple and eloquent reading. Being narrated by the author of course, the pace, emphasis and pronunciation were spot on. I very much enjoyed hearing about Nella and seeing her mature from a child and dealing with problems that life throws up. For me the character of the miniaturist was unnecessary and it was The dynamics between child bride Nella and her sister in law Maris, that fascinated. Some of the scenes later in the novel (no spoilers) were very emotional.

Hi – and thanks for giving it a go. I am really pleased you picked up on the no silly voices thing – this is a pet hate of mine, so I didn’t want to do it when it came to reading my book. I am so pleased you enjoyed following Nella through her trials, and again, it’s interesting to see you thought the miniaturist wasn’t required – people tend to fall into two camps, I find!

@iseenodust

I loved the book. Lots of good questions above about storyline.

For me, the sense of place and time was quite compelling.
Did you spend much time in modern Amsterdam to get a good feel for the place and its history or was that all down to research from other sources ?

Thank you! I didn't spend much time there at all - over the four years I wrote the book, about 10 days. I had to work! The city was so rich in the 1680s there are so many paintings and books to choose from - they were into documenting themselves and paying for paintings of themselves, for sure.

Just seen your response to my review - you're very welcome.

And I love the detailed questions of DuchessofMalfi and your responses - I thought about the miniaturist in the way you describe in point 3 but couldn't really explain it - thank you.

@SomethingFunny

Hello and thank you for coming to talk to us about The Minaturist.

Initially I struggled with the book- I have never read a novel that historial and set in another country as well and so I found it quite hard to get my head around. As the book went on though, I got totally absorbed into it. I especially liked the brilliant character of Nella from a girl to a (strong) woman- it was excellently written and described.

I am most intrigued about the photo at the beginning of the book of "Petronella Oortman's cabinet house, The Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam". Was Nella a real person? Did you find out much about the real person in your research? Did you come across the cabinet house in the museum and were inspired accordingly or had you already had the idea of the Minaturist and came across the one in the museum (and therfore Nella's name) during your research for the book?

Hi, and thank you for keeping going. I am glad it was worth it for you. Yes, Nella was a real person - but I haven't used any details of her life at all. Just the fact she owned that dolls' house. I found the house in the museum and that's where it all started. The idea of a miniaturist came later.

@MovingBack

Just seen your response to my review - you're very welcome.

And I love the detailed questions of DuchessofMalfi and your responses - I thought about the miniaturist in the way you describe in point 3 but couldn't really explain it - thank you.

It's a pleasure. Thank you.

Actually (and sorry to bombard, it's just so nice to be able to talk to the actual author!) Nella's age did bother me - I know it was sort of necessary to set her up so young so that the arranged marriage was plausible, but there were times when, for me, her tone just didn't match her age. Obviously she had plenty of trauma to make her wise beyond her years, but do you think someone her age would really have been so level in her narrative style? (I know her actions have a lot of impulsiveness which associates with youth, but just not so sure about her voice)

@MovingBack

Hi Jessie,

I absolutely loved your book - I gushed about it further up on this thread!

I'd love to know how you started writing - did you do any courses? Your writing is so accomplished and as an aspiring writer I'm very envious!

Also please say there will be a sequel or another book soon

Thank you very much! I have always written - but not with any grand plans, really, just ideas and doodles up to the age of about 18. I attempted one novel before The Min - everyone's always got one or two novels hidden in a bottom drawer somewhere!

I did do a course - a 3 month course with Curtis Brown literary agency. I was a little hesitant at first, but what it gave me was time and space - and dare I say it - external validation that I did have something, and I wasn't barking up the wrong tree.

There is another book on the way - set in Spanish Civil War and London art world of 1960s - and potentially a sequel but very very early days on that!

Hi Jessie,
Firstly I would like to say that your writing is beautiful. You really seem to have a way with language, and I would love to have this skill. I was really looking forward to reading your book as it seems like everyone I know has read it or is currently reading it . However, I was really disappointed with the ending. I really wanted to know who the miniaturist was and to me the story feels unfinished. Was this your intention for it to be an enigma, or have I missed something?

Also can I ask how easy it is for you to end your story and say goodbye to the characters you have created?

Congrats on winning the Waterstones award and I will definitely be reading any further books you write.

Hi Jessie

Thanks so much for your answers to my questions! Just wanted to say how excited I am that there may be a TV or film adaptation, and also that I love the idea of another book featuring Thea. Best of luck with it!

Thanks for answering my question. Just wanted to say that I personally didn't feel shortchanged by the mystery surrounding the miniaturist at all, and if she will remain an enigma that is OK with me (even though I would have loved to know even more about her and hoped there might be more tales of the miniaturist, I can see why you didn't tell us!)

Definitely BBC one Sunday evening material. You can tell them I said so. .

@Arti

Hello Jessie This book is quite different to the books I usually read, but I found it very refreshing, engaging and evocative. I also found myself caring about the key characters and enjoyed watching how they developed through the story. My questions are about the writing process. Firstly, how much research did you undertake in preparation for the book. Also, what have you as a writer learned about your own writing and also about yourself from writing this book (that you didn't know already)? Really looking forward to this web chat!

Arti

Hi Arti,
thanks for your comments. I did quite a bit of research before (prices of things, clothes, past times, food, rituals etc) but for me, the story was king. It's not a history lesson, it's a novel. So I wrote the story, and as I went along I would have a list of questions 'what would they eat?' 'what sort of underclothes?' etc etc.

I have learned so many things, both as a person and as a writer. You see your bad habits, you learn how you work (how it's different for everyone). You learn it takes so so so much longer than you think to have a finished book. I could go on and on, how much I've discovered! It's been a genuine rollercoaster.

@booksandwool

I'm feeling a bit slow here....that interpretation, Jessie (perhaps I shouldn't call it an interpretation given that you wrote the book) of Nella herself as being the miniaturist I love that, and it hadn't occurred to me. I also really like the analogy of Nella pursuing the miniaturist obsessively in the same way as the reader might.

hello, and thank you. Yes, for me there's definitely more than one miniaturist in this book!

Thanks so much for replying to my question Jessie! I'm thrilled to bits - you are doing a grand job of answering all our questions. And I cannot wait for your next book, I don't care what it's about! X

@booksandwool

Actually (and sorry to bombard, it's just so nice to be able to talk to the actual author!) Nella's age did bother me - I know it was sort of necessary to set her up so young so that the arranged marriage was plausible, but there were times when, for me, her tone just didn't match her age. Obviously she had plenty of trauma to make her wise beyond her years, but do you think someone her age would really have been so level in her narrative style? (I know her actions have a lot of impulsiveness which associates with youth, but just not so sure about her voice)

not a prob - possibly not! I mean, Nella has to hold it together from quite early on. She's also an older sister of three siblings. She's seen a drunkard father let her down, a mother disabuse her of the notion of romantic love in marriage, and then she's met with MARIN. So perhaps she is a bit serious!

@Holliegolightlyscat

Thanks so much for replying to my question Jessie! I'm thrilled to bits - you are doing a grand job of answering all our questions. And I cannot wait for your next book, I don't care what it's about! X

Ha, thanks so much! My fingers are flying