Talk

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.

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)

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.

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

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?

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