The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton (Part 3)

Despite an impressive beginning, the novel ends on a more predictable note. 

Greed and the desire for revenge spur some of the Amsterdammers against the Brandts. The Brandt's secrets are exposed and even the miniaturist cannot prevent the ultimate outcome. 

Nella feels gratitude towards the miniaturist for opening doors while Cornelia has a more traditional view. Cornelia sees the miniaturist as a snoop and a witch.

With all that has happened, its surprising that Nella and Cornelia believe that Thea's life will be what she makes it.

Despite the ending, the novel is still richly imagined, bringing 17th century Amsterdam and all of its moral compunctions to life.

Part 2
Part 1 

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton (Part 3)

Despite an impressive beginning, the novel ends on a more predictable note. 

Greed and the desire for revenge spur some of the Amsterdammers against the Brandts. The Brandt's secrets are exposed and even the miniaturist cannot prevent the ultimate outcome. 

Nella feels gratitude towards the miniaturist for opening doors while Cornelia has a more traditional view. Cornelia sees the miniaturist as a snoop and a witch.

With all that has happened, its surprising that Nella and Cornelia believe that Thea's life will be what she makes it.

Despite the ending, the novel is still richly imagined, bringing 17th century Amsterdam and all of its moral compunctions to life. 

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton (Part 3)

Despite an impressive beginning, the novel ends on a more predictable note. 

Greed and the desire for revenge spur some of the Amsterdammers against the Brandts. The Brandt's secrets are exposed and even the miniaturist cannot prevent the ultimate outcome. 

Nella feels gratitude towards the miniaturist for opening doors while Cornelia has a more traditional view. Cornelia sees the miniaturist as a snoop and a witch.

With all that has happened, its surprising that Nella and Cornelia believe that Thea's life will be what she makes it.

Despite the ending, the novel is still richly imagined, bringing 17th century Amsterdam and all of its moral compunctions to life. 

Miniaturist by Jessie Burton part 2

Interestingly enough, the sister-in-law in The Miniaturist acts as the requisite mean stepmother. She wears black, forbids sugar, and excesses of any kind, yet she harbors a dark secret. 

 Nella has been invited into a sumptuous world--the house of a wealthy Dutch tradesman. In exchange, though, she must keep the family's secrets, something which makes Nella uncomfortable. 

Johannes has freed the slave Otto and educated him. There is good in Johannes, yet he has married Nella under false pretenses. 

Nella is childlike and powerless in the marriage which explains why she is drawn to the miniaturist's guidance and mesmerizing control.   

Go to Part 1 for the first part of the review. Part 1

Miniaturist by Jessie Burton part 2

Interestingly enough, the sister-in-law in The Miniaturist acts as the requisite mean stepmother. She wears black, forbids sugar, and excesses of any kind, yet she harbors a dark secret. 

 Nella has been invited into a sumptuous world--the house of a wealthy Dutch tradesman. In exchange, though, she must keep the family's secrets, something which makes Nella uncomfortable. 

Johannes has freed the slave Otto and educated him. There is good in Johannes, yet he has married Nella under false pretenses. 

Nella is childlike and powerless in the marriage which explains why she is drawn to the miniaturist's guidance and mesmerizing control.   


Part 1

Miniaturist by Jessie Burton part 2

Interestingly enough, the sister-in-law in The Miniaturist acts as the requisite mean stepmother. She wears black, forbids sugar, and excesses of any kind, yet she harbors a dark secret. 

 Nella has been invited into a sumptuous world--the house of a wealthy Dutch tradesman. In exchange, though, she must keep the family's secrets, something which makes Nella uncomfortable. 

Johannes has freed the slave Otto and educated him. There is good in Johannes, yet he has married Nella under false pretenses. 

Nella is childlike and powerless in the marriage which explains why she is drawn to the miniaturist's guidance and mesmerizing control.   


Part 1

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

In this 2014 novel, Jessie Burton captures the life of a Dutch wife during the seventeenth century. Petronella has just married and feels belittled by her husband who ignores her.  In keeping with the times, its an arranged marriage.

Burton records the many ways someone can make someone else feel insignificant. Marin and Cornelia, the housekeeper, know how to make Petronella feel invisible. 

Her husband, Johannes, buys her a dress that is way too big and give her a wedding gift that bewilders her, a cabinet-house. The cabinet-house mirrors the rooms that she and him inhabit. Jessie Burton writes about it:

 "The accuracy of the cabinet is eerie, as if the real house has been shrunk, its body sliced in two and its organs revealed. The nine rooms, from the working kitchen, the salon, up to the loft where the peat and firewood are stored away from damp, are perfect replicas."

Go to Part 2 for the second part of the review

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

There are many ways someone can someone else feel insignificant. Marin and Cornelia, the housekeeper, know how to make Petronella feel invisible. 

Her husband, whom she barely knows, also belittles her. He buys her a dress that is way too big and give her a gift that bewilders her, a cabinet-house. The cabinet-house the rooms that she and him inhabit. Jessie Burton writes about it:

 "The accuracy of the cabinet is eerie, as if the real house has been shrunk, its body sliced in two and its organs revealed. The nine rooms, from the working kitchen, the salon, up to the loft where the peat and firewood are stored away from damp, are perfect replicas."

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

There are many ways someone can someone else feel insignificant. Marin and Cornelia, the housekeeper, know how to make Petronella feel invisible. 

Her husband, whom she barely knows, also belittles her. He buys her a dress that is way too big and give her a gift that bewilders her, a cabinet-house. The cabinet-house the rooms that she and him inhabit. Jessie Burton writes about it:

 "The accuracy of the cabinet is eerie, as if the real house has been shrunk, its body sliced in two and its organs revealed. The nine rooms, from the working kitchen, the salon, up to the loft where the peat and firewood are stored away from damp, are perfect replicas."