The miniaturist is the 2014 debut novel of english actress and author jessie burton. In america, it aired in three parts from 927 september 2018 on pbss masterpiece. Fans of historical fiction will be drawn to the miniaturist, a fantastical tale from british debut novelist jessie burton that takes place in 17thcentury amsterdam. Jessie burtons debut novel the miniaturist looks at the life of a newlywed living in 17th century amsterdam, where her husband creates a cabinet replica of their house. Plus, her thoughts on the major change from the book. I bought this book earlier this year, was trying to pick it for a while now and finally gave it a read, im pleased i loved it too. The story begins as 18yearold nella oortman arrives at the home of her wealthy merchant husband, johannes. Jul 30, 2014 a detail from the cover of jessie burton s the miniaturist by holly kyte. In spite of some lovely passages and fine research, jessie burtons tale of a young woman in 17thcentury amsterdam lacks plausibility, writes. The miniaturist, the millioncopy bestselling debut novel by jessie burton is available in paperback and as a tvtie in edition now. In april 20 her first novel, the miniaturist, was sold at an 11publisher auction at the london book fair, and went on to sell in 29 other countries around the world. The miniaturist star, author discuss episode 1 twist. Set in amsterdam in 168687, the novel was inspired by petronella oortmans dolls house on display at the rijksmuseum. The miniaturist is an impressive debut burton has created a world that, like.
Set in 17thcentury amsterdam a city ruled by glittering wealth and oppressive religion a masterful debut steeped in atmosphere and shimmering with mystery, in the tradition of emma donoghue, sarah waters, and sarah dunant. After reading jessie burtons the miniaturist for hours without break i can safely say that this debut is a beautiful thing it is a readers book in. Jessie burtons debut novel the miniaturist is a fascinating tale of love and secrets set against the backdrop of 17th century amsterdam. Anya taylorjoy the witch, split and romola garai the hour, emma star in this adaptation of jessie burtons gripping bestselling novel. Jessie burtons debut novel the miniaturist looks at the life of a newlywed living in 17th century amsterdam, where her husband creates a. The miniaturist now a television miniseries, as seen on masterpiece on pbsset in seventeenth century amsterdama city ruled by glittering wealth and oppressive religiona masterful debut steeped in atmosphere and shimmering with mystery, in the tradition of emma donoghue, sarah waters, and sarah dunant. Published in 2014, the miniaturist by jessie burton, is based in amsterdam in 1686 and follows the marriage of nella oortman and johannes brandt. Its tiny occupants mirror their reallife counterparts and show nella what grave dangers lie in wait. An international bestseller, it was the focus of a publishers bidding war at. The two part adaptation of the miniaturist, starring romola garai and anya taylorjoy, airs on bbc one at.
Burton writes great complex female characters observer a terrific novel. The series was directed by guillem morales and stars anya taylorjoy, romola garai and alex hassell and first aired in two parts from 2627 december 2017 on bbc one. So there you are as katie said over on the picador blog, the more you look, the more you see. The miniaturist by jessie burton is set in 17th century amsterdam where a trader presents his new wife nella with a miniature replica of their home.
Set in seventeenth century amsterdama city ruled by glittering wealth and oppressive religiona masterful debut steeped in atmosphere and shimmering with mystery, in the tradition of emma donoghue, sarah waters, and sarah dunant. Jessie burtons accomplished first novel is many things a deftly plotted mystery, a feminist comingofage drama and a probing investigation of marriage. Jessica kathryn burton born 17 august 1982 is an english author and actress. Aug 03, 2018 anya taylorjoy the witch, split and romola garai the hour, emma star in this adaptation of jessie burton s gripping bestselling novel. The miniaturist is narrated by a thirdperson narrator who has insight only into nellas thoughts and feelings. Sep 10, 2018 in the first episode of the miniaturist, a miniseries based on jessie burton s novel of the same name, 17thcentury dutch merchant johannes brandt gives his new bride petronella oortman an exact.
When eighteenyearold petronella oortman, newly married to wealthy merchant. Dec 21, 2015 and then, to have a handpainted sign saying the miniaturist, jessie burton just like the little mottoes of elusive meaning that the miniaturist sends nella in the book swinging from the house well, reader, i nearly cried. Jessie burton studied at oxford university and the central school of speech and drama, where she appeared in productions of the house of bernarda alba, othello, play and macbeth. Built around a true historical artifact petronella oortmans cabinet house the novel explores duplicity and truth in a city obsessed with luxurious wealth but ruled by leaders preaching austerity. British author jessie burtons first published book, the miniaturist, has been building buzz in publishing circles since 20, when it was one of the most soughtafter submissions at the london book fair. Apr, 2020 published in 2014, the miniaturist by jessie burton, is based in amsterdam in 1686 and follows the marriage of nella oortman and johannes brandt. Interview with jessie burton but words are water in amsterdam, they flood your ears and set the rot writes british author jessie burton in her debut novel, the miniaturist. The miniaturist is the first novel by british author, jessie burton. The writing was solid but i ultimately found the storyan exploration of love, affluence, and greedunsatisfying, because the author left some of the most compelling parts of the. Jun 28, 2014 the miniaturist has a singular and vivid setting, and by rights it should beguile utterly. Indiewire spoke to the miniaturist author jessie burton and star anya taylorjoy about johannes secret, what this means for petronella, and the bizarre extravagance of.
The miniaturist has a singular and vivid setting, and by rights it should beguile utterly. Jessie burton this is her first novel, and it comes with a. The miniaturist is a 2017 bbc television miniseries adaptation of the debut novel of the same name by jessie burton. A young woman moves to 17th century amsterdam and hires a mysterious local miniaturist to furnish the dollhouse she received from her merchant husband as present, but the lifelike miniatures somehow start eerily foreshadowing her fate. Burton conjures every scent and crackle of nellas world. Its a long audition process heres why theres a major difference between the miniaturist book and tv adaptation. This was my 30th birthday present from my two best friends before i. Jul 03, 2014 jessie burton studied at oxford university and the central school of speech and drama, where she appeared in productions of the house of bernarda alba, othello, play and macbeth. In the miniaturist, jessie burton nimbly transports contemporary social issues to the 17th century where a costume drama rich in historical detail is. The miniaturist writer jessie burton on fame, negative. Written by jessie burton, audiobook narrated by davina porter. The miniaturist jessie burton, 2014 harpercollins 416 pp. This book debut to critical acclaim and continues to be in the top 10 or recommended lists. Indiewire spoke to the miniaturist author jessie burton and star anya taylorjoy about johannes secret, what this means for petronella, and the bizarre extravagance of the dutch dollhouses.
Jessie burton, the author of the miniaturist weighs in on the ending of the mini series. The following version of this book was used to create this study guide. Sep 24, 2018 jessie burton, the author of the miniaturist weighs in on the ending of the mini series. The miniaturist is a magnificent story of love and obsession, betrayal and retribution, appearance. Beautiful, intoxicating and filled with heartpounding suspense, jessie burtons magnificent debut novel the miniaturist is a story of love and obsession, betrayal. The story begins as 18yearold nella oortman arrives at the home of her wealthy merchant husband, johannes brandt.
The miniaturist by jessie burton the washington post. Jessie burtons the miniaturist and more the new york. Jessie burton is the author of three novels, the miniaturist 2014, and the muse 2016, published in 38 languages, and the confession which published september 2019 and became an immediate sunday times bestseller. At the time i was working long hours in the advertising. The true story behind the cabinet house in the miniaturist. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. In winter 1686, provincial 18yearold petronella oortman arrives in amsterdam, the new bride of. Author interview jessie burton, author of the miniaturist. This was my 30th birthday present from my two best friends before i sold the novel. Amsterdam in the late 1680s is a prosperous place for merchants of the voc dutch east india company. A haunting, sumptuous adaption of jessie burtons internationally bestselling novel. Aug 24, 2014 in the miniaturist, jessie burton nimbly transports contemporary social issues to the 17th century where a costume drama rich in historical detail is embellished with supernatural intrigue.
A entertainment weekly the miniaturist is that rarest of things beautifully written, yet also a compelling pageturner. An international bestseller, it was the focus of a publishers bidding war at the 20 london book fair. Now this historical novel, set in a 17thcentury amsterdam that burton evokes with great skill, is poised to win over readers. With anya taylorjoy, romola garai, hayley squires, alex hassell.
The miniaturist, jessie burtonim writing this on a daylong train through oregon, en route to portland, distracted by a view of frozen lakes, mountainhugging clouds and snowy woods reminiscent of narnia. Jessie burtons accomplished first novel is many things a deftly plotted mystery, a feminist comingofage drama and a probing investigation. In the first episode of the miniaturist, a miniseries based on jessie burtons novel of the same name, 17thcentury dutch merchant johannes brandt gives his new bride petronella oortman an exact. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the miniaturist. Set in 17th century amsterdam, during the height of the dutch golden age, jessie burtons exquisitely crafted first novel, the miniaturist, has. Adapted from jessie burtons internationally bestselling novel, the miniaturist, a ravishing threepart period thriller, premieres sunday, september 9, 2018, 98c on masterpiece. Set in seventeenth century amsterdama city ruled by glitterin.
Jun 26, 2016 and if you look closely, you will see an impossibly small book on it. Jessie burton this is her first novel, and it comes with a great deal of hype, having been sold in 30. A detail from the cover of jessie burtons the miniaturist by holly kyte. The miniaturist is one of the years most hyped novels, and its easy to see why. While jessie burtons street scenes, canals and markets bustle with noise and colour, one infers that vermeers quiet domestic interiors draw.
Overview now a television miniseries, as seen on masterpiece on pbs. I didnt expect burton, such a dark and serious writer, to burst into excited giggles and proclaim, i dont know. In jessie burtons atmospheric debut, the miniaturist, the powers of love and obsession, sins and secrets, loyalty and forgiveness bind together a cast of sympathetic characters who all have a part to play in a collectively chilling conclusion. And then, to have a handpainted sign saying the miniaturist, jessie burton just like the little mottoes of elusive meaning that the miniaturist sends nella in the book swinging from the house well, reader, i nearly cried. Jessie burtons the miniaturist and more the new york times. At the time i was working long hours in the advertising industry and looking for. If you want to get a job as an actor, write a novel. The time when i was reading it, dropped all my current reads for it, as its a highly engaging read. And if you look closely, you will see an impossibly small book on it. In 2014, jessie burtons debut the miniaturist stood out for us as an exquisite example of the writers craft, combining an intoxicating sense of. Television and tagged anya taylorjoy, jessie burton, pbs, the miniaturist most popular wes anderson drops his quarantine watch list. I avoided it at first as the blurb really did not sell the story to me.