This charming book is a sequel to The Miniaturist which I haven’t read so I was at a slight disadvantage but was able to fill in the blanks, or at least enough to get the gist of the story. A family is living in a splendid mansion in Amsterdam in the year 1705, staring down rumours about their mysterious past and trying to keep afloat as their wealth is dissipated.
Otto, Nella and Cornelia have been caring for Thea since she was born, eighteen years ago. Their collective focus is always on trying to do what is right for her but Thea is anxious to leave childhood behind and experience the world outside.
Jessie Burton brings to life a time and a place where a young woman can be used to consolidate her family’s fortune and place in society by being married off to the right contender with the hope that she will be able to adjust to her new life, knowing she is seen as a commodity whose thoughts and opinions, her love of the theatre and art, are of no value.
Without prior knowledge I didn’t quite know the story behind the miniaturist but I think she was a guiding force, leaving messages in the form of tiny sculptures for the recipient to interpret. I imagine anyone who read and loved The Miniaturist would be very happy to see how the lives of Nella, Otto, Cornelia and Thea are turning out. The end of the book, while complete in itself, leaves a door open to future happenings. It’s a powerful story, contrasting the lives of the rich and the poor of eighteenth century Europe and the lengths to which people were willing to go to ensure their survival, with lots of interesting, vividly portrayed characters.
Fans of The Miniaturist are sure to be satisfied! A winning point for me was that Lucas, the cat, was shown such love and respect by Thea’s family.
Highly recommended for lovers of historical fiction and brilliant writing generally.
Published by Macmillan
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