The House of Fortune
Aug 2022 · Bloomsbury Publishing USA
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2 reviews
Ebook
304
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About this ebook
Alive with the magic of eighteenth-century Amsterdam, a bestselling, bewitching historical novel about one young woman learning to set her own life's course despite family and cultural pressure, from New York Times bestselling author Jessie Burton.
In Amsterdam in 1705, Thea Brandt is coming of age, trying to grapple with her family's secrets and her own identity as a young Dutch African woman. She's drawn to the theater and an artistic life, but with her family in serious financial decline, pressure is on Thea to marry up in society.
As her father and Aunt Nella work desperately to save the family home and catastrophe threatens to engulf them, Thea seeks refuge in the arms of her secret lover, Walter, the chief set painter at her favorite theater. But the thrill of their romance is shadowed by another secret she keeps close: Her birthday marks the day her mother, Marin, died in labor. Thea's family refuses to share the details of the story, just as they seem terrified to speak of the shadowy artist from their past whose tiny figurines seem to capture the things most carefully hidden away. Aunt Nella believes the solution to Thea's problems is to find her a husband, and an unexpected invitation to Amsterdam's most exclusive ball seems like a golden opportunity. But when a miniature figure of Walter turns up on Thea's doorstep, it becomes clear that someone out there has another fate in mind for the family- and that perhaps the new beginning Thea seeks won't depend on a man.
A feat of sweeping, magical storytelling, The House of Fortune is an unputdownable novel about love and obsession, family and loyalty, and the fantastic power of secrets.
In Amsterdam in 1705, Thea Brandt is coming of age, trying to grapple with her family's secrets and her own identity as a young Dutch African woman. She's drawn to the theater and an artistic life, but with her family in serious financial decline, pressure is on Thea to marry up in society.
As her father and Aunt Nella work desperately to save the family home and catastrophe threatens to engulf them, Thea seeks refuge in the arms of her secret lover, Walter, the chief set painter at her favorite theater. But the thrill of their romance is shadowed by another secret she keeps close: Her birthday marks the day her mother, Marin, died in labor. Thea's family refuses to share the details of the story, just as they seem terrified to speak of the shadowy artist from their past whose tiny figurines seem to capture the things most carefully hidden away. Aunt Nella believes the solution to Thea's problems is to find her a husband, and an unexpected invitation to Amsterdam's most exclusive ball seems like a golden opportunity. But when a miniature figure of Walter turns up on Thea's doorstep, it becomes clear that someone out there has another fate in mind for the family- and that perhaps the new beginning Thea seeks won't depend on a man.
A feat of sweeping, magical storytelling, The House of Fortune is an unputdownable novel about love and obsession, family and loyalty, and the fantastic power of secrets.
Alive with the magic of eighteenth-century Amsterdam, a bestselling, bewitching historical novel about one young woman learning to set her own life's course despite family and cultural pressure, from New York Times bestselling author Jessie Burton.
In Amsterdam in 1705, Thea Brandt is coming of ...
Ratings and reviews
2 reviews
Toby A. Smith
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April 18, 2022
NOTE: I was given early access to this manuscript in exchange for writing an impartial review. Thank you netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing. Publication: August 30, 2022. I'd give THE HOUSE OF FORTUNE 4.5 stars if I could. This sequel to Jessie Burton's novel THE MINIATURIST exceeded my expectations. Her skill in incorporating rich historical detail, her subtle insights into genuine human emotion, and her ability to make each character vivid, believable, and distinct makes this a deeply engaging read. It's NOT that this is an ACTION-packed piece of historical fiction. It's just a story about everyday life in 1700s Amsterdam where one family wrestles with financial difficulties, social standing, and the need to find a suitable husband for an eligible young woman. For those of you familiar with THE MINIATURST, this "family" consists of: • Nella, the young bride in THE MINIATURIST, now in her mid 30s, is still living in her late husband's prestigious home in central Amsterdam. • Otto, the intelligent and loyal former family slave, now acts as man of the house. • Cornelia continues to maintain their home -- as housekeeper, cook, and all around caretaker. • Thea, the 18 year-old daughter of Otto and Nella's deceased sister-in-law (Marin), is now everyone's central object of love in this unusually constructed family unit. Typical for this era, Thea's marital eligibility is seen as the key to making the Brandt family financially solvent again. But just what ARE the prospects for a mixed-race girl whose family has already suffered public shame? And how cooperative is Thea likely to be when the others try to put responsibility for the entire family's future onto her shoulders? Might she not have romantic dreams of her own? It's a wonderful and cleverly-constructed story about the limitations and expectations of women in this time period. About the ways we are all influenced by our histories and too often, try to impose our deepest wishes on those we love most. And about the damage than can be done by those who keep secrets. Highly recommended.
About the author
Jessie Burton's first novel, The Miniaturist, was a New York Times bestseller and was adapted into a PBS series, starring Anya Taylor-Joy. Jessie's second novel, The Muse, was also a #1 international bestseller. Jessie has written essays and reviews for the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. She lives in London.
Jessie Burton's first novel, The Miniaturist, was a New York Times bestseller and was adapted into a PBS series, starring Anya Taylor-Joy. Jessie's second novel, The Muse, was also a #1 international bestseller. Jessie has written essays and reviews for the New York Times and the Wall Street Jour...
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