Readers captivated by Jessie Burton’s vivid storytelling often ask whetherThe House of Fortuneis a sequel toThe Miniaturist. These two novels are set in 17th-century Amsterdam and share characters and themes that weave through family, mystery, and societal roles. The connection between the two books is more than a mere thematic echo;The House of Fortunedirectly continues the story begun inThe Miniaturist. Understanding their relationship enhances the reading experience and reveals how Burton builds on her earlier work to deepen the narrative landscape.
Continuing the Story: A True Sequel
The House of Fortuneis indeed a sequel toThe Miniaturist. Set 18 years after the events of the first novel, it revisits the Brandt household on the Herengracht canal. WhileThe Miniaturistfocused on Nella Oortman’s arrival into the Brandt family, her adjustment to its secrets, and the cryptic miniatures that foretold the future, the sequel follows Thea Brandt, the now-grown daughter of Otto and Marin. Nella returns in the second book as Thea’s aunt, and the story once again explores themes of independence, identity, and destiny through the lens of Thea’s life choices.
Timeline and Setting
The original novel takes place in 16861687, while the sequel begins in 1705. Amsterdam remains the central backdrop, full of historical texture, from its merchant houses to the rules of the Dutch Republic. Readers familiar with the first book will recognize the house on the canal, though time has changed it along with the characters who inhabit it.
Key Characters Across Both Novels
Though new readers could approachThe House of Fortuneon its own, much of the depth and context comes from understanding who the characters were in the first book. Several key figures reappear:
- Nella Oortman Once a naive bride, she is now a wiser, more practical woman who shoulders the burden of keeping her family afloat.
- Thea Brandt The central figure in the sequel, Thea is bold, curious, and driven by her desire for love and truth.
- Otto Thea’s father, formerly a servant, now a scholar, remains a complicated and dignified presence.
- The Miniaturist Though more shadowy than in the first book, this mysterious figure still influences the narrative in symbolic ways.
The legacy of the miniaturist’s influence lingers throughout the second book, reminding readers of the surreal and prophetic nature of the first story.
Thematic Continuity Between the Novels
One of the clearest ways thatThe House of Fortunefunctions as a sequel is through its thematic continuation. Jessie Burton’s exploration of fate, free will, gender, secrecy, and societal constraint deepens in the sequel. Thea, like her aunt Nella before her, must navigate a world where expectations and limitations shape every major life decision. Both books examine the roles women are expected to play and the quiet, often painful ways in which they resist those roles.
Family, Identity, and Autonomy
The sequel also emphasizes generational legacy. Thea struggles not only with her own desires but with the legacy left to her by her mother Marin, who died in childbirth, and the choices made by Nella and Otto. This adds emotional depth and continuity to the series, as characters are shaped by past events while striving to carve new paths.
Do You Need to Read The Miniaturist First?
WhileThe House of Fortunecan be read as a standalone novel, it gains significant emotional and narrative richness when read afterThe Miniaturist. Familiarity with Nella’s earlier journey provides a fuller understanding of her motivations and the family’s troubled past. Readers will appreciate subtle references, emotional callbacks, and the long shadow cast by events from the first book.
New Perspectives in the Sequel
- Thea’s voice introduces fresh energy and restlessness that contrasts with Nella’s youthful experience in the first novel.
- The mystery in the second novel is more focused on personal longing and emotional inheritance rather than supernatural prediction.
- Returning characters are seen in new lights, shaped by time and hardship, giving the sequel a deeper resonance.
Ultimately, reading both novels in sequence enhances character development and plot complexity, offering a more satisfying literary experience.
The Role of the Miniaturist
InThe Miniaturist, the titular figure plays a central role, offering miniature objects that seem to predict the future. This adds a magical realist quality to the book. In the sequel, the miniaturist appears only briefly, but her influence remains. Thea receives an unexpected gift that reawakens the family’s unease with the past. However, the miniaturist’s power is less central to the sequel, which shifts its focus toward emotional truth rather than mysticism.
A Symbol More Than a Character
InThe House of Fortune, the miniaturist serves more as a symbol of fate and legacy than as an active force. This change signals the evolution of the story from one about foreboding control to one about inner transformation and the struggle for freedom.
Critical Reception of the Sequel
Critics generally welcomedThe House of Fortuneas a successful return to the world ofThe Miniaturist. They praised Burton’s lyrical prose, atmospheric detail, and ability to deepen character arcs established in the first novel. Some readers noted the shift in tone, with the sequel offering a more grounded and introspective story, focusing more on personal growth and decision-making than on the supernatural.
What Readers Appreciate
- Returning to familiar characters and settings with new emotional stakes
- Thea’s compelling and relatable voice as a young woman seeking truth and love
- The emotional closure provided for characters introduced inThe Miniaturist
This reception confirms thatThe House of Fortuneis not merely a companion novel but a meaningful continuation that stands on its own merits while enriching the original.
So, isThe House of Fortunea sequel toThe Miniaturist? Absolutely. It revisits the same family, continues their story, and deepens the emotional and thematic threads introduced in the first book. Set nearly two decades later, it focuses on the next generation while retaining the rich historical atmosphere that madeThe Miniaturistso compelling. For fans of literary historical fiction, reading both novels in sequence offers a rewarding experience that connects past and present through richly drawn characters and masterful storytelling.