Jessie Burton Knihy

Olive Schlossová prichádza v 30. rokoch minulého storočia s bohatými rodičmi do Španielska na letný byt. Rada maľuje, no svoj talent musí pred otcom, viedenským obchodníkom s umením, tajiť. V prenajatej haciende sa zblíži so slúžkou Teresou a s jej nevlastným bratom, ambicióznym umelcom Isaacom, ktorý sníva o tom, že sa raz stane rovnako slávny ako jeho krajan Picasso. V tom čase sa už v Španielsku schyľuje ku krvavej občianskej vojne, ktorá neblaho zasiahne do osudov rodiny. O niekoľko desaťročí neskôr prichádza do Londýna karibská emigrantka Odelle Bastienová. Podarí sa jej zamestnať v prestížnom Skeltonovom inštitúte výtvarného umenia a náhodou objaví obraz, ktorého autorom je vraj istý Isaac Robles. Jeho záhadná smrť kedysi nadlho rozvírila vody umeleckého sveta. Rozruch okolo obrazu neutícha, šíria sa klebety a Odelle sa postupne zaplieta do siete intríg a klamstiev. Už nevie, komu a čomu môže veriť. Možno ani svojej tajomnej kolegyni Marjorie Quickovej, ktorá akoby vedela viac, než je ochotná prezradiť.

Jedného jesenného dňa v roku 1686 zaklope na dvere veľkolepého domu v najbohatšej časti Amsterdamu osemnásťročná Nella Oortmanová. Mladučká vidiečanka sa má ujať roly manželky zámožného kupca Johannesa Brandta, no privíta ju len jeho odmeraná sestra, čierny sluha a prostoreká slúžka. Manžela stretne až na druhý deň a ten jej venuje zvláštny svadobným dar, dokonalú zmenšeninu ich honosného sídla, veľkú ako skriňová vitrína. Nella si do nej objedná zariadenie od tajuplného miniaturistu a od tej chvíle sa začnú diať zvláštne veci. Drobné výtvory do detailov kopírujú skutočný život rodiny – až desivo verne. Umelec zjavne pozná životy jej členov lepšie, než oni sami, a drží ich osudy vo svojich rukách. Miniaturista je dojímavý príbeh lásky a posadnutosti, zrady a odplaty, ktorý vás chytí za srdce. Autorka sa pri písaní románu inšpirovala miniatúrou domu od neznámeho umelca vystavenou v Rijksmuseu v Amsterdame, ktorú kedysi vlastnila skutočná Nella Oortmanová.

The story revolves around two children whose fates intertwine after discovering an ancient treasure. This treasure holds the extraordinary ability to restore their most cherished loss, setting them on a journey of adventure and self-discovery. Jessie Burton weaves a compelling narrative that explores themes of loss, hope, and the magic of childhood, making it a captivating read for those who enjoy richly layered stories.

Exiled to a far-flung island by the whims of the gods, Medusa has little company except the snakes that adorn her head instead of hair. But when a charmed, beautiful boy called Perseus arrives on the island, her lonely existence is disrupted with the force of a supernova, unleashing desire, love, betrayal ... and destiny itself

For her twelve daughters, Queen Laurelia's death in a motor car accident is a disaster beyond losing a mother. Their father, King Alberto, cannot bear the idea of the princesses ever being in danger and decides his daughters must be kept safe at all costs. Those costs include their lessons, their possessions and, most importantly, their freedom. But the eldest, Princess Frida, will not bend to his will without a fight and she still has one possession her father can't take: the power of her imagination. And so, with little but wits and ingenuity to rely on, Frida and her sisters begin their fight to be allowed to live

Amsterdam in the year 1705. It is Thea Brandt's eighteenth birthday. She is ready to welcome adulthood with open arms, but life at home is increasingly difficult. Her father Otto and her Aunt Nella argue endlessly over their financial fate, selling off furniture in a desperate attempt to hold on to the family home. As catastrophe threatens to engulf the household, Thea seeks refuge in Amsterdam's playhouses. She loves the performances, and the stolen moments afterwards are even better. In the backrooms of her favorite theater, Thea can spend a few precious minutes with her secret lover, Walter, the chief set-painter, a man adept at creating the perfect environments for comedies and tragedies to flourish. The thrill of their hidden romance offers Thea an exciting distraction from home. But it also puts her in mind of another secret that threatens to overwhelm the present: Thea knows her birthday marks the day her mother, Marin, died in labor. Thea's family refuses to share the details of this story, just as they seem terrified to speak of "the miniaturist" - a shadowy figure from their past who is possessed of uncanny abilities to capture that which is hidden. Aunt Nella believes the solution to all Thea's problems is to find her a husband who will guarantee her future. An unexpected invitation to Amsterdam's most exclusive ball seems like a golden opportunity. But when Thea finds, on her doorstep, a parcel containing a miniature figure of Walter, it becomes clear that someone out there has another fate in mind for the family

When Elise Morceau meets the writer Constance Holden, she quickly falls under her spell. Connie is sophisticated, bold and alluring - everything Elise feels she is not. She follows Connie to LA, but in this city of strange dreams and razzle dazzle, Elise feels even more out of her depth and makes an impulsive decision that will change her life forever. Three decades later, Rose Simmons is trying to uncover the story of her mother, who disappeared when she was a baby. Having learned that the last person to see her was a now reclusive novelist, Rose finds herself at the door of Constance Holden's house in search of a confession.

Set in 1686 Amsterdam, the story follows eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman as she navigates her new life with her distant husband, merchant Johannes Brandt. Isolated in a grand yet unwelcoming home, her life takes a turn when Johannes gifts her a miniature replica of their house. Nella enlists a mysterious miniaturist to furnish it, leading to unsettling parallels between the miniatures and her reality. This enchanting tale explores themes of identity, control, and the complexities of human relationships through the lens of art and craftsmanship.

Exiled to a far-flung island, Medusa has little company except for the snakes adorning her head instead of hair until a beautiful boy named Perseus arrives, disrupting her lonely existence and unleashing desire, love, and betrayal.

Pewnego zimowego popołudnia 1980 roku, w samym sercu Londynu, Elise Morceau spotyka Constance Holden i natychmiast daje się jej oczarować. Connie, odważna i magnetyczna, jest odnoszącą sukcesy pisarką, której ostatnia powieść doczeka się filmowej adaptacji jednej z największych wytwórni w Hollywood. Elise podąża za Connie do Los Angeles, miasta marzeń i zapomnienia. Jednak gdy Connie upija się nowym życiem, w którym wszyscy otaczają się kłamstwem i próbują sięgnąć gwiazd, Elise zaczyna tracić grunt pod nogami. Podczas hucznego przyjęcia hollywoodzkiego słyszy rozmowę, która skłoni ją do podjęcia radykalnej decyzji mogącej zmienić jej życie. Trzy dekady później, w 2017 roku, Rose Simmons szuka odpowiedzi na pytania dotyczące jej matki, która zniknęła bez śladu, gdy Rose była jeszcze dzieckiem. Ostatnią osobą, która ją widziała, jest Constance Holden - zapomniana pisarka, która wycofała się z życia publicznego, gdy była u szczytu sławy. Rose czuje się zaintrygowana losem Connie i szuka wskazówek, które wskażą jej sekrety przeszłości. Ta pełna światła, romantyczna historia zabiera nas na niezwykle zaplanowane poszukiwanie tożsamości. Poprzez tajemnicze i niezapomniane postacie, Jessie Burton odsłania przed nami kulisy kręgów literackich i filmowych, a także drugą stronę twórczości artystycznej, fikcji i macierzyństwa.