Ebook391 pages6 hours
The House of Fortune
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
3.5/5
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About this ebook
Alive with the magic of Amsterdam, the enchanting new historical novel from the author of the sensational New York Times bestseller The Miniaturist, which has sold more than two million copies.
In 1705 Amsterdam, 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 1705 Amsterdam, 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.
Author
Jessie Burton
Jessie Burton was born in London in 1982. She studied at Oxford University and the Central School of Speech and Drama. The Miniaturist is her first novel.
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Reviews for The House of Fortune
Rating: 3.7209302790697674 out of 5 stars
3.5/5
43 ratings4 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This is a sequel to The Miniaturist which I've previously read and loved it.1705 in Amsterdam Thea is eighteen years old and it's time for her to get married. With her family reputation it will be hard to find a suitable husband who will secure Thea's future. Aunt Nella’s mission of finding a wealthy husband for Thea, comes to an end when she meets Jacob van Loss at the ball. Thea, however, falls in love with Walter, a painter who works in the playhouse in which Thea finds refugee from daily family problems. Thea and Walter betrothed in secret and it seemed that Thea won her love until she starts to receive miniatures followed by the blackmail notes. Meanwhile, her father and aunt are struggling to manage their lives financially. Thea's father, Otto, lost his job and there is nothing they can do to live comfortably. Unless if Aunt Nella agrees to give her childhood property for a pineapple orchard that Otto is so desperate to start with Caspar Witsen. But Nella will never agree to that business in the place she wants to forget. Busy with family problems and husband arrangements, they don't notice presence of miniaturist in their lives once again after eighteen years of absence.A wonderful book with interesting family story from Amsterdam in the year of 1705. I love stories where dreams do come through and when family never gives up on each other.It is such an enchanting story full of secrets and drama that I had a hard time putting this book down. The writing is brilliant, the story is very engaging. Love this book and I hope there will be another one.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A charming and captivating story with interesting characters. They are all haunted by their pasts and wrapped up in secrets they are afraid to share. Much of the plot, in terms of Thea's romances, seemed a bit predictable, but it didn't matter, it was still enjoyable to read, but then there was an unexpected twist at the end.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5While I haven't read The Miniaturist yet (it's in my library) this is said to be a stand alone novel. It actually makes me want to read The Miniaturist now! It's set in the 1700s in Amsterdam and follows Thea, just turned 18 who believes she knows everything about love and life. She lives in a large beautiful mansion which is almost empty as her Aunt Nella and father, Otto have had to sell most of their possessions to keep up a good front so that they can arrange a successful marriage for Thea. We know how that's going to turn out! Very enjoyable!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5"You cannot ever be certain that lying within a person is the only seed of your life’s next chapter."1705. Amsterdam. As Thea Brandt turns 18, she endures the family celebration that has been the same since childhood wishing her family would see her as an adult. Thea is a Dutch-African woman raised by her father Otto, Aunt Nella, and Cornelia, once her nursemaid and now the family cook. Her mother, Marin, died in childbirth, and just once on her birthday, she would like to learn something – anything about her mother. Her mother’s name is never spoken.Retreating to the world of the local theater, Thea befriends Rebecca. Thea also believes she has found the love of her life, Walter. All too aware of the increasing financial distress, Aunt Nella has been working on a plan to save them all. A plan to give Thea a future and stability for all of them.A coming of age story. A young woman’s first love that she believes is her lifetime love. But the young woman is also a child. A child yearning to learn of her mother. Friendship. Secrets. Adults protecting their dearly loved child. Financial distress hidden behind the cloak of a well-known address and exterior walls. Each family member loves one another. Each with different expressions of their love. Each with a different solution for their path forward. The reader is spellbound to learn if they can converge to a path of happiness, lighter air, and financial sufficiency.I realized the title was a sequel when adding the book on GoodReads and enjoyed it as a stand-alone. It was so mesmerizing; I will read "The Miniaturist.
Book preview
The House of Fortune - Jessie Burton
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