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.

@0ryx

What first inspired you to write this novel; the first idea you had before it became a fully fledged plan?

seeing the house in the Rijksmuseum in 2009. I thought it would make a good story - woman spends as much money on a dolls' house as a full-sized house...and the society at the time was fascinating.

@Nicrob

Jessie Thank you it was a fabulous book and it has made me love reading again :0) I loved the strong female characters in the book. Was the character of Otto (and reaction to him) based on anything you read as a part of your research?

Thanks

thank you! Yes - I found many paintings where there would be a black man in the corner, staring out at the viewer whilst the white Amsterdammers partied or posed for a family portrait. I also saw many reminders carved in stone above buildings, about the West India Company slave trade. I wanted to put him in there, because men like Otto were integral to society at the time, they just weren't given much attention.

Sorry I can't keep away!!!

I'm in awe - 17 times writing the book?!! It completely shows as the writing is just beautiful and I'm so glad you stuck with it!

Thanks for answering all these questions Jessie, I'm off to re-read the book again

@whatwoulddexterdo

Thanks for answering my questions Jessie. If you have time tonight I would love to know how much input you had in the design of the book cover and whether you were able to have a say in how your book was marketed.

I was consulted - but as you see it is pretty much how the early mock-ups were. The publisher built a dolls' house for the cover, and hired a miniaturist. I got to pick the paintings you see on the walls. I commented on the facial expressions of Marin and Johannes and they were altered slightly.

In terms of marketing, no, I leave that in the hands of the experts!

squeezycheesy (and everyone, for that matter), I quickly wanted to say do feel free to ask more than one question - we've got 15 minutes left and we'll just see how many we can get done in that time...

@Arti

Thanks so much for answering my earlier questions-very helpful in helping me think through an approach to a book that I am currently writing-that the story is the key and the research is there to serve this and not the other way round. Another question if you have time - to what degree is The Miniaturist and the character of Nella a reflection of your own journey into the theme of predetermined fate vs taking control of your own destiny?

that's my pleasure. Well, I've not gone deep into the psychology of the book, but it IS partly me, or parts of me. I am interested in the idea of how much we can control and how much we can't. I am aware, both as a former actress and now a novelist, how luck and chance also play their parts, however hard you work. I think I have a more phlegmatic approach to life as I've got a little older (not 23 years old anymore and burning to be a famous actress!) but yes, the journey is twisty and you will get nasty surprises, but do the best you can do, honour yourself and those you love - what more can you do?!

I'd like to echo what others have said here and thank you for writing such a totally absorbing novel. At the risk of sounding nosy, I'd love to know about where you wrote The Miniaturist. Tilly and I often talk about asking authors to share a pic of the room where the novel came to life. Until that time, it would be lovely if you could describe it to us. Did you spend much time in Amsterdam whilst you were writing it?

@MovingBack

Sorry I can't keep away!!!

I'm in awe - 17 times writing the book?!! It completely shows as the writing is just beautiful and I'm so glad you stuck with it!

Thanks for answering all these questions Jessie, I'm off to re-read the book again

you are so kind! Thank you. And have a happy re-read!

@RachelMumsnet

I'd like to echo what others have said here and thank you for writing such a totally absorbing novel. At the risk of sounding nosy, I'd love to know about where you wrote The Miniaturist. Tilly and I often talk about asking authors to share a pic of the room where the novel came to life. Until that time, it would be lovely if you could describe it to us. Did you spend much time in Amsterdam whilst you were writing it?

Hello! Thank you - I wrote the Miniaturist in several places. In theatre dressing rooms, on trains, at office desks in secret and at lunchtimes. At my desk, with a plot chart in front of me that was horribly messy and always out of date within days. I just wrote it wherever I could.

Another from me, this time not a detailed plot point, but about you as a writer - how odd does it feel to be talking to strangers like this over something you laboured over so long for in private? Is it as amazing as I imagine it must be to have people so interested in the details of what you've done? (I mean,as well as what I guess is the great coolness of winning prizes, receiving critical acclaim and so on)

17 times rewriting is amazing and may explain why I will never be a writer!

I am intrigued as to your next book on Spanish Civil War - I loved The Return by Victoria Hislop and am currently reading Hemingway and his writings.

Without spoiling the next book, What have you done in terms of research, and visits as a part of your writing - I remember when last in Barcelona seeing bullet marks in buildings which was such a powerful reminder of what took place there.

Do you have any pets Jessie ?

@booksandwool

Another from me, this time not a detailed plot point, but about you as a writer - how odd does it feel to be talking to strangers like this over something you laboured over so long for in private? Is it as amazing as I imagine it must be to have people so interested in the details of what you've done? (I mean,as well as what I guess is the great coolness of winning prizes, receiving critical acclaim and so on)

Yes, it can seem strange sometimes - what people pick out, or observe. Sometimes, I don't know if this makes sense - but it feels so separate to me, like it has a life of its own, and I'm commentating on it too, from the outside. Like, I was inside it, and I had to burrow myself back out and make it a sealed story that everyone could understand. but that meant I lost access to it too. It could have ended in so many different ways - was I in control of that? I suppose so. It was so technical. But now, it seems that all that happens in the book is inevitable, put there by the grace of some other being! Which is nonsense of course - I've just blocked out the tough days!

@iseenodust

Do you have any pets Jessie ?

one, very grumpy cat

Wow, so you were working whilst you were writing it? That's so impressive. Did you have the publishing deal in place early on?

Nearly out of time, but do you have a dolls house Jessie?

Your book made me want to make a minature version of my house (without the children's mess though!)

@Nicrob

17 times rewriting is amazing and may explain why I will never be a writer!

I am intrigued as to your next book on Spanish Civil War - I loved The Return by Victoria Hislop and am currently reading Hemingway and his writings.

Without spoiling the next book, What have you done in terms of research, and visits as a part of your writing - I remember when last in Barcelona seeing bullet marks in buildings which was such a powerful reminder of what took place there.

Well, I'm a masochist, clearly!
My research on the war has been from history books, lectures, films and poetry. I am more interested in WHY the war happened, so the book is set from 1935-7, up to the fall of Malaga in Feb '37. It tells the story of the war in the south, the landlords and oligarchs vs the workers, through the prism of normal people, living in a village. It's about what happens when you're not allowed to grieve because you;re on the losing side. What happened after the war was as much as tragedy as the war itself.

@SomethingFunny

Nearly out of time, but do you have a dolls house Jessie?

Your book made me want to make a minature version of my house (without the children's mess though!)

hi, no I don't have one! I don't have room! (ironically)

@RachelMumsnet

Wow, so you were working whilst you were writing it? That's so impressive. Did you have the publishing deal in place early on?

no - I wrote it from 2010-2013 before I had an agent and a publishing deal!

Just before Jessie goes, I'd just like to thank Mumsnet for organising this discussion and Jessie for her fab answers and fast typing!!! I've really enjoyed it

From one of your last comments, it almost feels like you yourself had a role of Miniaturist for the novel itself!

@Arti

From one of your last comments, it almost feels like you yourself had a role of Miniaturist for the novel itself!

yes, pretty much! Pulling the strings, moving the pieces...

We're very sadly running out of time - it has been such a rewarding chat, thank you to everyone for all your excellent questions.

Jessie, you are truly exceptional in answering all our questions (not to mention writing a book 17 times and having the stamina to keep going through what must be a madly busy publicity schedule). Congratulations again on all your success and we can't wait to see what you write next. Do come and tell us about it.

Many thanks again, everyone, for such an enjoyable evening.

Thank you for writing the Minaturist and for coming to answer all my questions. And thank you to Mumsnet for introducing me to this book!

Thanks for a great webchat - I've so enjoyed hearing about the writing process behind the book, Jessie. Will definitely be looking out for the next one!