The Miniaturist

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of racism.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What elements of magical realism in The Miniaturist surprised or intrigued you most? How do these elements compare to other works that blend reality and the inexplicable in a historical setting, such as Alice Hoffman’s The World That We Knew or Sarah Waters’s The Little Stranger?

2. Burton portrays Amsterdam as a city of contradictions, where outward piety masks hidden desires and frugality coexists with luxury. How did these contrasts enhance your understanding of the characters and their motivations?

3. What impact did the novel’s atmosphere of constant surveillance and observation have on your reading experience?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. The characters in The Miniaturist have vastly different definitions of success and happiness. Which character’s perspective resonated with or challenged your views?

2. Nella gradually realizes that her unconventional marriage offers freedoms that traditional marriages of her time wouldn’t allow. How have your important relationships provided unexpected constraints or freedoms?

3. Think about a time when you felt pressured to present a different version of yourself to the world, similar to how the Brandt household maintains careful facades.

4. The novel depicts how circumstances can change one’s definition of autonomy and independence throughout one’s life. How have you experienced such an evolution in your life, and what circumstances prompted your change in perspective?

5. The miniaturist’s message suggests that, despite social constraints, people control their destiny. What life experiences have shaped your beliefs about fate versus free will?

6. Nella’s parakeet represents different aspects of freedom and confinement throughout the novel. Which objects in your life have taken on deeper symbolic meaning during important transitions?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. How does Burton’s handling of colonial wealth and enslavement through Otto’s character compare with how other historical fiction, such as Toni Morrison’s Beloved, depict characters handling these issues?

2. The novel portrays a hypocritical Amsterdam society in which characters publicly preach frugality but privately enjoy luxury. What similar contradictions do you observe between stated values and actual behaviors in contemporary society?

3. Women in the novel exercise power despite significant restrictions on their formal roles. What strategies do they use that parallel how marginalized groups navigate power structures today?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Trace the evolution of the cabinet from an unwanted gift to something Nella ultimately destroys when she no longer needs its lessons. What does the cabinet symbolize at different moments in her life?

2. Burton uses extensive foreshadowing throughout the narrative. Why might this technique be particularly effective in a story questioning whether one can control destiny?

3. How does the recurring “rising tide” motif connect to the characters’ fates, the novel’s themes, and its messages about judgment and consequences?

4. The novel presents various forms of love, from passion to friendship. Which relationship feels the most authentically portrayed, and why does it stand out?

5. Which moments are most pivotal in Nella’s transformation from a naive girl to a capable household head?

6. The miniaturist remains enigmatic throughout the story, never fully explained. What does this deliberate ambiguity contribute to the novel’s themes and its messages about knowledge and power?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine that you could write a conversation between the miniaturist and Marin during which they meet face-to-face. What might they discover about each other’s perspectives on women’s roles?

2. At the novel’s end, Nella, Otto, Cornelia, and baby Thea form an unconventional family. How might they navigate Amsterdam’s social world five years later?

3. If Burton penned a sequel focusing on Thea’s coming-of-age as a multiracial young woman in Amsterdam, what challenges and triumphs might her character face?

Need more inspiration for your next meeting? Browse all of our Book Club Resources.