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The Miniaturist
- Narrated by: Jessie Burton
- Length: 11 hrs and 55 mins
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The Miniaturist
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Editor reviews
Summary
Winner of the Specsavers Book of the Year Award 2014
National Book Awards: New Writer of the Year 2014
Waterstones Book of the Year 2014
There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed...
On an autumn day in 1686, eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman knocks at the door of a grand house in the wealthiest quarter of Amsterdam. She has come from the country to begin a new life as the wife of illustrious merchant trader Johannes Brandt, but instead she is met by his sharp-tongued sister, Marin. Only later does Johannes appear and present her with an extraordinary wedding gift: a cabinet-sized replica of their home. It is to be furnished by an elusive miniaturist, whose tiny creations mirror their real-life counterparts in unexpected ways. Nella is at first mystified by the closed world of the Brandt household, but as she uncovers its secrets she realizes the escalating dangers that await them all. Does the miniaturist hold their fate in her hands? And will she be the key to their salvation or the architect of their downfall? Beautiful, intoxicating and filled with heart-pounding suspense, The Miniaturist is a magnificent story of love and obsession, betrayal and retribution, appearance and truth.
Jessie Burton was born in 1982. She studied at Oxford University and the Central School of Speech and Drama, and has worked as an actress and a PA in the City. She now lives in south-east London, not far from where she grew up.
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What listeners say about The Miniaturist
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Annie
- 03-01-15
The Miniaturist Or A Bride For Appearances Sake!
What did you like most about The Miniaturist?
I liked the story line, it was different. I enjoyed the social history, though in reality, I didn't find much of this.
What did you like best about this story?
I thought some ends were made to tie up, they didn't feel like natural outcomes.
What does Jessie Burton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?
I didn't think that the author read her book as well as an actor might have done.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
No.
Any additional comments?
This was a good book. Sadly unlike some, I didn't think it was a brilliant book. Maybe reading it myself, I might have given it a better score. I would read/listen to other books by this author.
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11 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Rebecca
- 16-09-14
Interesting and Original
What did you like best about this story?
A quirky tale and a great, old fashioned story.
How could the performance have been better?
Sadly the author chose to read it herself. She's not a bad speaker but a professional would have really enhanced the story and made it a real pleasure. I nearly didnt continue with the book after a few minutes because of this, but I'm glad that I persisted.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Kateyweightywoo
- 06-02-20
Frustrating
This has all the markings of a great read, but it just doesn’t quite get there.
The setting of the story is really well described and there’s some beautifully constructed passages and character descriptions, but the build up leads to such a...flop. You wait for that plot twist that almost happens, then doesn’t. Really disappointing 😕
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Katherine H
- 02-07-19
Enjoyable but ultimately doesn't go anywhere
Narration is actually quite good for an author narrated book (usually a bad sign) after a shaky start. Plot is compelling then just ends with no resolution on almost all the story lines.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Eva Hnizdo
- 27-10-20
Wonderful story, hard to stop to listen
Loved it, and the author read it beautifully. unusual story. Vivid images of the 17th century Amsterdam
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Moonkitten
- 30-09-19
Stick with it!
My Mum read the book and totally raved about it so I downloaded the audible version. It took me a few chapters to get into the book but I am so glad I stuck with it.
Jessie Burton narrated it perfectly and had such a lovely voice and I found myself not wanting the book to end.
Mum has just purchase the DVD from Amazon and said it was just as good as the book so looking forward to watching it too!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Dr Mo
- 17-03-15
More please
Beautiful tale with wretched behaviour! Would enjoy the next chapter in Nella's life and if she ever meets the miniaturist.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Patricia Grundy
- 15-01-15
Underwhelming overall but great storytelling
The version I listened to was read by Jessie Burton herself and she was really good.
The storytelling was incredible, the descriptions were very vivid and the whole book was richly detailed. However... I'm left feeling underwhelmed by the whole thing.
The first 'big reveal' I started to expect as soon as the husband came home, the other 'big reveal', at the very end, I saw coming a mile off and the only thing I couldn't figure out - the actual miniaturist - we end up discovering nothing about! Ugh! I was rather peeved.
I didn't buy into Nella's relationship with Johannes being what was portrayed. Neither did I understand what the point of the miniaturist was, since this aspect of the story wasn't explored in a way that satisfied me.
I would've favoured more character development and perhaps a little less of the descriptions, wonderful though they were.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- moo
- 03-11-18
A definite grower
I enjoyed this story and building of the characters but thought the ending could have been better
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Natasha
- 14-07-15
Good read
Interesting characters, plot development and twists that keep you guessing until the end. The narration was good and engaged with the characters bringing them to life.
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