Reviews

Dolende zielen by Anneke Bok, Cecile Pin

rachaelprest's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

katietoon's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

Loved the subject, not so keen on the execution. Looking forward to any future books this author puts out as I believe she’ll definitely get better with time, this debut novel shows real potential, this one just wasn’t for me.

tiaxbrdly's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

rose508's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

katiet_k's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

ayomiposia's review against another edition

emotional informative sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

elread0's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

bremnerette's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

A deeply researched and empathetic story which really brings to life the reality of inter generation trauma. For such a sad story, with so many bleak moments, Anh’s resilience/grit shines through; I found her hope and ability for gratitude and continuous learning and growth believable and what kept me engaged in the book. 

The way the book pieces together the different stories, both character-driven and from the news, allowed me to understand the scale and impact of (British) immigration policies; though I felt the later news articles were a bit random and perhaps unnecessary.

The end of the book rattles to a conclusion and I enjoyed the journey it went on, how it answers so many questions by the end, but the pace and depth didn’t match the deep earlier storytelling, as if the next generation doesn’t deserve to feel and understand the trauma that passes on; maybe that’s the point. 

••••••••••••
Anticipation: 4
Enjoyment at the time: 4
In retrospect: 4

tash1531718's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.5

springernichole3's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful sad

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25