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The Miniaturist
- Narrated by: Jessie Burton
- Length: 11 hrs and 55 mins
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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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- Katia
- 28-04-15
Captivating
Totally unexpected story. Such vivid descriptions of people, places, things. The ending was inevitable, but I had to keep going to see whether it would really happen and yet the ending doesn't lack hope. Beautifully read. Thoroughly enjoyable.
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5 people found this helpful
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- L
- 24-05-15
Fantastic story
Beautifully written, this novel creates a whole world which you slip into. It twists and turns and takes you by surprise.
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3 people found this helpful
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- Celticprincess
- 09-11-16
Interesting story lovely narration
Would you consider the audio edition of The Miniaturist to be better than the print version?
I usually enjoy books narrated by their authors very much, and this was no exception. If the author is a good at it, it adds another level to the experience. You get to listen to the story as it was created, they know what to stress and what the pace was intended to be. This was one of those cases, it was made more enjoyable by the author’s narration.
Who was your favorite character and why?
I like Petronella, I found her a loveable character.
Which scene did you most enjoy?
Difficult to say without posting spoilers!
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Again, I can't say without giving away important bits.
Any additional comments?
When I read the mixed reviews I sort of see where they are coming from, but I still believe this book is underrated. It's better than some give it credit for, but there's no accounting for taste, right?
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- AnnaJean Hughes
- 17-11-15
Ear candy
I really did have trouble unplugging from this one. The author does a stellar job in reading it too (a truly rare thing for fiction, I know she's an actress, but still. I loved the hints at magical realism, poppets made prescient... A great adventure through the perfectly drawn streets of an Amsterdam long since past.
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- Charlie Watson
- 03-09-15
Lacking in depth and emotion
What did you like best about The Miniaturist? What did you like least?
The idea of the dolls house replicating life was good, but it just didn't translate into the story.
What was most disappointing about Jessie Burton’s story?
It lacked a good story-line and there was no way one could feel any empathy with the characters.
What about Jessie Burton’s performance did you like?
The book was a good idea, if only it could have translated into the book.
Did The Miniaturist inspire you to do anything?
No.
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- Susan A.
- 14-02-15
Exceptional and origianal
Would you listen to The Miniaturist again? Why?
Definitely
Who was your favorite character and why?
All characters were developed so we'll all were pertinent and interwoven so well into the story.
Have you listened to any of Jessie Burton’s other performances? How does this one compare?
No. The authors reading of her own work was very enjoyable. I had not released it was the author until the end credits.
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Yes. I carried it everywhere and annoyed everyone by listening at every opportunity.
Any additional comments?
No
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- booksyes please
- 27-01-15
Good, but overrated
Took a while to get going, very gripping towards the end but somewhat predictable and overrated given all the hype!
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- NICK
- 14-03-15
I tried to smell Old Amsterdam BUT...
Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?
No, The narration was not up to scratch. If it had been read by an actor I'm sure it would have come across in a more enjoyable way.
What didn’t you like about Jessie Burton’s performance?
I hated the modern strained vowels and occasional grating lapses into Estuarial English of the author. It sounded as if she had no faith in her writing and a tin ear for the flow of the story.
Any additional comments?
Please Audible dissuade authors from reading their own works.
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- Amazon Customer
- 17-04-15
Lives up to the hype
Jessie Burton has written a wonderful book and narrated it well. The characters are beautifully flawed, Nella and the Brandt family are richly described and embellished and develop in a plausible way. The story itself is engaging but require the listener to take a few leaps of faith and left me feeling a little dissatisfied, however these flaws are easily forgiven in the richness of the story.
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- beigehead
- 06-05-16
Moving, intriguing and a bit spooky.
A fascinating depiction of c17th Amsterdam (which embodied both Puritanism and commerce) through an unconventional household. A young wife starts a strange relationship with the mysterious "miniaturist" whilst navigating relationships at home. Good sorry, great characters.
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