Reading guide for The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

Reading Guide Questions

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

1. How would you describe the sense of place in The Miniaturist, and how does the novel present seventeenth century Amsterdam?
2. What does the gift of the cabinet house symbolize to Nella in terms of her marriage to Johannes and her own status?
3. The Brandt household is full of secrets. Which made the biggest impression on you and why?
4. Did your attitude to the characters remain consistent throughout the novel, or did your loyalties shift as you kept reading? Which character provoked the strongest reaction from you?
5. How would you describe Nella's relationship with Marin? In what ways do they conflict, and are they more alike than they think?
6. What do you think was the most significant cause of the Brandt's downfall?
7. Do you think the miniaturist is a magical force or a human one? What is the most important thing that Nella learns from her?
8. To what extent do you think Nella was in control of her own fate, or was she at the mercy of those around her?
9. How did seventeenth century Dutch society view women, and how different is life for women today?
10. If you were Nella and had to take up her role at the end of the book, what would you do next?

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Ecco. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.