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0120140721THE MINIATURIST by Jessie Burton

Read by : Emilia Fox

On a cold autumn day in 1686, eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman arrives in Amsterdam to begin a new life as the wife of the Dutch East India Company's most successful merchant trader : Johannes Brandt. But her lavishly furnished new home is not welcoming, and its inhabitants seem preoccupied with their own secrets. Johannes is kind yet distant, always locked in his study or at his warehouse office which leaves Nella isolated in the grand house on the canal with his sister, the sharp-tongued Marin and Otto and Cornelia their servants as company.

Nella's world changes when Johannes presents her with an extraordinary wedding gift: a cabinet-sized replica of their home. To furnish her gift, Nella engages the services of a miniaturist, an elusive and enigmatic artist whose tiny and intricate creations mirror their real-life counterparts in eerie and unexpected ways.

But as she starts to receive unexpected and unasked for items for her 'toy house' Nella becomes aware that the Brandt household contains unusual secrets and she begins to understand - and fear- the escalating dangers that await them all. In this repressively pious society conformity is all. Neighbours are encouraged to spy on each other, excavating 'the canker' of sin. The packages from the mysterious miniaturist begin to reveal chillingly prophetic objects but Nella remains at a loss as to what they all mean.

Ep. 1 : Eighteen year old Nella Oortman arrives from the country at her husband's imposing house in Amsterdam. But the welcome is a little less than effusive.

Producer: JILL WATERS
Abridged by Isobel Creed and directed by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4

Amsterdam,1686: Nella is welcomed into married life with a strange and lavish present.

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

0220140722THE MINIATURIST by Jessie Burton

Read by Emilia Fox

On a cold autumn day in 1686, eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman arrives in Amsterdam to begin a new life as the wife of the Dutch East India Company's most successful merchant trader : Johannes Brandt. But her lavishly furnished new home is not welcoming, and its inhabitants seem preoccupied with their own secrets. Johannes is kind yet distant, always locked in his study or at his warehouse office which leaves Nella isolated in the grand house on the canal with his sister, the sharp-tongued Marin and Otto and Cornelia their servants as company.

Nella's world changes when Johannes presents her with an extraordinary wedding gift: a cabinet-sized replica of their home. To furnish her gift, Nella engages the services of a miniaturist, an elusive and enigmatic artist whose tiny and intricate creations mirror their real-life counterparts in eerie and unexpected ways.

But as she starts to receive unexpected and unasked for items for her 'toy house' Nella becomes aware that the Brandt household contains unusual secrets and she begins to understand - and fear- the escalating dangers that await them all. In this repressively pious society conformity is all. Neighbours are encouraged to spy on each other, excavating 'the canker' of sin. The packages from the mysterious miniaturist begin to reveal chillingly prophetic objects but Nella remains at a loss as to what they all mean.

Ep.2. Nella continues to wonder when her husband is going to consumate their marriage, in the meantime her sister-in-law has suggested that some sort of 'distraction' would be a good idea.

Producer: JILL WATERS
Abridged by Isobel Creed and directed by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4

Amsterdam,1686: Nella is welcomed into married life with a strange and lavish present.

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

0320140723The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

Read by Emilia Fox

On a cold autumn day in 1686, eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman arrives in Amsterdam to begin a new life as the wife of the Dutch East India Company's most successful merchant trader : Johannes Brandt. But her lavishly furnished new home is not welcoming, and its inhabitants seem preoccupied with their own secrets. Johannes is kind yet distant, always locked in his study or at his warehouse office which leaves Nella isolated in the grand house on the canal with his sister, the sharp-tongued Marin and Otto and Cornelia their servants as company.

Nella's world changes when Johannes presents her with an extraordinary wedding gift: a cabinet-sized replica of their home. To furnish her gift, Nella engages the services of a miniaturist, an elusive and enigmatic artist whose tiny and intricate creations mirror their real-life counterparts in eerie and unexpected ways.

But as she starts to receive unexpected and unasked for items for her 'toy house' Nella becomes aware that the Brandt household contains unusual secrets and she begins to understand - and fear- the escalating dangers that await them all. In this repressively pious society conformity is all. Neighbours are encouraged to spy on each other, excavating 'the canker' of sin. The packages from the mysterious miniaturist begin to reveal chillingly prophetic objects but Nella remains at a loss as to what they all mean.

Ep3. The unlooked for package from the miniaturist has unnerved Nella, but she can't help but be seduced by the intricate craftsmanship.

Producer: JILL WATERS
Abridged by Isobel Creed and directed by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4

Amsterdam,1686: Nella is welcomed into married life with a strange and lavish present.

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

0420140724The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

Read by Emilia Fox

On a cold autumn day in 1686, eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman arrives in Amsterdam to begin a new life as the wife of the Dutch East India Company's most successful merchant trader : Johannes Brandt. But her lavishly furnished new home is not welcoming, and its inhabitants seem preoccupied with their own secrets. Johannes is kind yet distant, always locked in his study or at his warehouse office which leaves Nella isolated in the grand house on the canal with his sister, the sharp-tongued Marin and Otto and Cornelia their servants as company.

Nella's world changes when Johannes presents her with an extraordinary wedding gift: a cabinet-sized replica of their home. To furnish her gift, Nella engages the services of a miniaturist, an elusive and enigmatic artist whose tiny and intricate creations mirror their real-life counterparts in eerie and unexpected ways.

But as she starts to receive unexpected and unasked for items for her 'toy house' Nella becomes aware that the Brandt household contains unusual secrets and she begins to understand - and fear- the escalating dangers that await them all. In this repressively pious society conformity is all. Neighbours are encouraged to spy on each other, excavating 'the canker' of sin. The packages from the mysterious miniaturist begin to reveal chillingly prophetic objects but Nella remains at a loss as to what they all mean.

Ep4. Rejected by her husband Nella continues to feel alone in the city, except for the watchful gaze of the strange blonde haired woman.

Producer: Jill Waters
Abridged by Isobel Creed and directed by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4

Amsterdam,1686: Nella is welcomed into married life with a strange and lavish present.

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

0520140725The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

Read by Emilia Fox

On a cold autumn day in 1686, eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman arrives in Amsterdam to begin a new life as the wife of the Dutch East India Company's most successful merchant trader : Johannes Brandt. But her lavishly furnished new home is not welcoming, and its inhabitants seem preoccupied with their own secrets. Johannes is kind yet distant, always locked in his study or at his warehouse office which leaves Nella isolated in the grand house on the canal with his sister, the sharp-tongued Marin and Otto and Cornelia their servants as company.

Nella's world changes when Johannes presents her with an extraordinary wedding gift: a cabinet-sized replica of their home. To furnish her gift, Nella engages the services of a miniaturist, an elusive and enigmatic artist whose tiny and intricate creations mirror their real-life counterparts in eerie and unexpected ways.

But as she starts to receive unexpected and unasked for items for her 'toy house' Nella becomes aware that the Brandt household contains unusual secrets and she begins to understand - and fear- the escalating dangers that await them all. In this repressively pious society conformity is all. Neighbours are encouraged to spy on each other, excavating 'the canker' of sin. The packages from the mysterious miniaturist begin to reveal chillingly prophetic objects but Nella remains at a loss as to what they all mean.

Ep5. Prompted by the jibes of Agnes Meermans, Nella decided to pay a visit to her husband at the offices of the Dutch East India Company.

Producer: JILL WATERS
Abridged by Isobel Creed and directed by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4

Amsterdam,1686: Nella is welcomed into married life with a strange and lavish present.

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

0620140728The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

Read by : Emilia Fox

On a cold autumn day in 1686, eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman arrives in Amsterdam to begin a new life as the wife of the Dutch East India Company's most successful merchant trader : Johannes Brandt. But her lavishly furnished new home is not welcoming, and its inhabitants seem preoccupied with their own secrets. Johannes is kind yet distant, always locked in his study or at his warehouse office which leaves Nella isolated in the grand house on the canal with his sister, the sharp-tongued Marin and Otto and Cornelia their servants as company.

Nella's world changes when Johannes presents her with an extraordinary wedding gift: a cabinet-sized replica of their home. To furnish her gift, Nella engages the services of a miniaturist, an elusive and enigmatic artist whose tiny and intricate creations mirror their real-life counterparts in eerie and unexpected ways.

But as she starts to receive unexpected and unasked for items for her 'toy house' Nella becomes aware that the Brandt household contains unusual secrets and she begins to understand - and fear- the escalating dangers that await them all. In this repressively pious society conformity is all. Neighbours are encouraged to spy on each other, excavating 'the canker' of sin. The packages from the mysterious miniaturist begin to reveal chillingly prophetic objects but Nella remains at a loss as to what they all mean.

Ep. 6 Whilst Johannes is in Venice an unwelcome visitor arrives at the Brandt household.

Producer: JILL WATERS
Abridged by Isobel Creed and directed by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4

Whilst Johannes is in Venice an unwelcome visitor arrives at the Brandt household.

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

0720140729The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

Read by : Emilia Fox

On a cold autumn day in 1686, eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman arrives in Amsterdam to begin a new life as the wife of the Dutch East India Company's most successful merchant trader : Johannes Brandt. But her lavishly furnished new home is not welcoming, and its inhabitants seem preoccupied with their own secrets. Johannes is kind yet distant, always locked in his study or at his warehouse office which leaves Nella isolated in the grand house on the canal with his sister, the sharp-tongued Marin and Otto and Cornelia their servants as company.

Nella's world changes when Johannes presents her with an extraordinary wedding gift: a cabinet-sized replica of their home. To furnish her gift, Nella engages the services of a miniaturist, an elusive and enigmatic artist whose tiny and intricate creations mirror their real-life counterparts in eerie and unexpected ways.

But as she starts to receive unexpected and unasked for items for her 'toy house' Nella becomes aware that the Brandt household contains unusual secrets and she begins to understand - and fear- the escalating dangers that await them all. In this repressively pious society conformity is all. Neighbours are encouraged to spy on each other, excavating 'the canker' of sin. The packages from the mysterious miniaturist begin to reveal chillingly prophetic objects but Nella remains at a loss as to what they all mean.

Ep.7. Nella discovers Marin's secret, but does she fully understand its implications ?

Producer: JILL WATERS
Abridged by Isobel Creed and directed by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4

Nella discovers Marin's secret, but does she fully understand its implications?

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

0820140730The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

Read by : Emilia Fox

On a cold autumn day in 1686, eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman arrives in Amsterdam to begin a new life as the wife of the Dutch East India Company's most successful merchant trader : Johannes Brandt. But her lavishly furnished new home is not welcoming, and its inhabitants seem preoccupied with their own secrets. Johannes is kind yet distant, always locked in his study or at his warehouse office which leaves Nella isolated in the grand house on the canal with his sister, the sharp-tongued Marin and Otto and Cornelia their servants as company.

Nella's world changes when Johannes presents her with an extraordinary wedding gift: a cabinet-sized replica of their home. To furnish her gift, Nella engages the services of a miniaturist, an elusive and enigmatic artist whose tiny and intricate creations mirror their real-life counterparts in eerie and unexpected ways.

But as she starts to receive unexpected and unasked for items for her 'toy house' Nella becomes aware that the Brandt household contains unusual secrets and she begins to understand - and fear- the escalating dangers that await them all. In this repressively pious society conformity is all. Neighbours are encouraged to spy on each other, excavating 'the canker' of sin. The packages from the mysterious miniaturist begin to reveal chillingly prophetic objects but Nella remains at a loss as to what they all mean.

Ep8. With Johannes under arrest it falls to Nella to do what she can to sell the warehouse full of sugar before it rots.

Producer: Jill Waters
Abridged by Isobel Creed and directed by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4

Nella must do what she can to sell the warehouse full of sugar before it rots

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

0920140731On a cold autumn day in 1686, eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman arrives in Amsterdam to begin a new life as the wife of the Dutch East India Company's most successful merchant trader : Johannes Brandt. But her lavishly furnished new home is not welcoming, and its inhabitants seem preoccupied with their own secrets. Johannes is kind yet distant, always locked in his study or at his warehouse office which leaves Nella isolated in the grand house on the canal with his sister, the sharp-tongued Marin and Otto and Cornelia their servants as company.

Nella's world changes when Johannes presents her with an extraordinary wedding gift: a cabinet-sized replica of their home. To furnish her gift, Nella engages the services of a miniaturist, an elusive and enigmatic artist whose tiny and intricate creations mirror their real-life counterparts in eerie and unexpected ways.

But as she starts to receive unexpected and unasked for items for her 'toy house' Nella becomes aware that the Brandt household contains unusual secrets and she begins to understand - and fear- the escalating dangers that await them all. In this repressively pious society conformity is all. Neighbours are encouraged to spy on each other, excavating 'the canker' of sin. The packages from the mysterious miniaturist begin to reveal chillingly prophetic objects but Nella remains at a loss as to what they all mean.

Read by Emilia Fox.

Ep9. The burgomasters of Amsterdam are determined to uphold their city's godfearing reputation.

Producer: Jill Waters
Abridged by Isobel Creed and directed by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4

The burgomasters of Amsterdam determine to uphold their city's God-fearing reputation.

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature

1020140801The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

Read by : Emilia Fox

On a cold autumn day in 1686, eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman arrives in Amsterdam to begin a new life as the wife of the Dutch East India Company's most successful merchant trader : Johannes Brandt. But her lavishly furnished new home is not welcoming, and its inhabitants seem preoccupied with their own secrets. Johannes is kind yet distant, always locked in his study or at his warehouse office which leaves Nella isolated in the grand house on the canal with his sister, the sharp-tongued Marin and Otto and Cornelia their servants as company.

Nella's world changes when Johannes presents her with an extraordinary wedding gift: a cabinet-sized replica of their home. To furnish her gift, Nella engages the services of a miniaturist, an elusive and enigmatic artist whose tiny and intricate creations mirror their real-life counterparts in eerie and unexpected ways.

But as she starts to receive unexpected and unasked for items for her 'toy house' Nella becomes aware that the Brandt household contains unusual secrets and she begins to understand - and fear- the escalating dangers that await them all. In this repressively pious society conformity is all. Neighbours are encouraged to spy on each other, excavating 'the canker' of sin. The packages from the mysterious miniaturist begin to reveal chillingly prophetic objects but Nella remains at a loss as to what they all mean.

Ep10 Nella bids her husband farewell and welcomes the new arrival.

Producer: Jill Waters
Abridged by Isobel Creed and directed by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4

Nella bids her husband farewell and welcomes the new arrival.

Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature