Readers captivated by The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton often find themselves searching for similarly atmospheric, richly detailed historical novels. Set in 17th-century Amsterdam, The Miniaturist blends mystery, art, and societal constraints into a compelling narrative centered around a young woman navigating the rigid expectations of her new household. Books like The Miniaturist often share elements such as intricate settings, female protagonists, hidden secrets, and a hauntingly evocative tone. If you were drawn to its historical intrigue, layered storytelling, and gothic undercurrents, the following novels will likely satisfy your literary cravings.
Historical Fiction with a Gothic Touch
The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber
This novel transports readers to Victorian London and follows the journey of Sugar, a highly intelligent prostitute who navigates the constraints of class and gender. With vivid historical detail and a dark, immersive atmosphere, it shares The Miniaturist’s fascination with the lives of women struggling to assert control in a patriarchal society.
The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell
If you appreciated the eerie atmosphere and sense of foreboding in The Miniaturist, this gothic historical thriller may appeal to you. Set in a crumbling English manor, the story revolves around unsettling wooden figures and ghostly secrets, echoing themes of isolation, control, and the uncanny.
Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
A twisting tale of deception and desire set in 19th-century England, Fingersmith delivers suspense, strong female leads, and complex emotional layers. Like The Miniaturist, it keeps readers guessing as it explores identity, betrayal, and social constraints.
Richly Atmospheric European Settings
The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
This powerful novel is set in a remote Norwegian town in the 1600s, where a sudden storm kills most of the men. As women take on new roles, a new arrival brings suspicion and persecution. With poetic prose and a focus on gender, religion, and survival, it mirrors The Miniaturist’s tension between personal freedom and societal expectations.
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Set in postCivil War Barcelona, this literary mystery centers on a young boy who discovers a forgotten book, leading him into a web of secrets and danger. Its layered storytelling, historical backdrop, and reverence for books and memory make it a richly satisfying read for fans of Burton’s narrative style.
The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles
For readers who enjoyed the emotional depth and historical resonance of The Miniaturist, this novel offers a dual-timeline story centered around the American Library in Paris during WWII. Themes of identity, resistance, and the quiet strength of women echo throughout.
Stories of Women and Secrets
The Binding by Bridget Collins
This novel introduces a unique historical fantasy where people’s memories can be bound into books. With themes of repression, forbidden knowledge, and personal autonomy, The Binding crafts a world that feels both magical and oppressive similar to the tension found in The Miniaturist.
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
Though set in the 20th century, this novel explores memory, family legacy, and the emotional ties to a place reminiscent of how the house in The Miniaturist plays a symbolic role. The prose is elegant, and the narrative explores the lifelong bond between siblings in the wake of abandonment and inheritance.
The House at Riverton by Kate Morton
A sweeping family mystery told through multiple timelines, this novel combines a compelling female protagonist with the slow unraveling of secrets. Set in the years before and after WWI, it’s perfect for readers who enjoy historical novels with emotional depth and elegant prose.
Novels Exploring Art and Mystery
Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
Set in 17th-century Delft, this novel tells the imagined story behind Johannes Vermeer’s iconic painting. With its artistic focus, restrained emotional tension, and themes of class and gender, it parallels the world of The Miniaturist in tone and setting.
The Muse by Jessie Burton
If you want more from the author of The Miniaturist, The Muse is a natural next read. Spanning 1930s Spain and 1960s London, this novel weaves together stories of creativity, identity, and hidden histories through the discovery of a mysterious painting. It continues Burton’s thematic exploration of women in art, secrets, and self-expression.
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
A Pulitzer Prize winner, The Goldfinch follows the life of a boy who survives a bombing at a museum and ends up in possession of a priceless painting. Though not strictly historical fiction, it delves deeply into art, trauma, and the consequences of hidden truths core elements that The Miniaturist readers often appreciate.
Books with Emotional Complexity and Social Critique
The Confessions of Frannie Langton by Sara Collins
This historical novel combines a murder mystery with a story of slavery, love, and societal judgment in 19th-century England. Frannie, a former slave accused of killing her employer, narrates her own story in a voice that is powerful, reflective, and deeply human.
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
Based on the life of Shakespeare’s son, this novel explores grief, motherhood, and artistry with lyrical writing and profound emotional insight. Fans of The Miniaturist will appreciate its historical setting, poetic voice, and focus on family and hidden emotional lives.
The Familiars by Stacey Halls
Set during the Pendle witch trials in 17th-century England, this novel follows a young noblewoman caught between political forces and personal truths. It mirrors The Miniaturist’s themes of female oppression, suspicion, and survival in a hostile world.
Key Elements Shared with The Miniaturist
- Historical settings with intricate social detail
- Female protagonists navigating constrained roles
- Mystery and secrets gradually unfolding
- Atmospheric, gothic tones
- Elements of art, symbolism, and hidden meaning
Fans of The Miniaturist are often drawn to novels that balance historical realism with emotional depth and a sense of mystery. Whether it’s the haunting elegance of The Silent Companions, the art-infused storytelling of Girl with a Pearl Earring, or the dual-timeline secrets of The Muse, there is a wealth of literary options that echo the themes and mood of Jessie Burton’s beloved novel. These books offer immersive experiences where time, place, and human complexity merge into unforgettable stories. If you’re looking to continue your journey into historical fiction filled with secrets, art, and female resilience, the books listed here will not disappoint.