Reviews

A Heart of Stone by Renate Dorrestein

mariekemarit's review against another edition

dark emotional funny informative reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.25

arianedorlas's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

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

4.0

ekureck's review

4.0

This book put me through so many emotions. I could not imagine witnessing the death of your entire family and thinking you were responsible, and finding out 25 years later that your mother had symptoms of an illness that hadn’t yet been discovered. I really enjoyed the way the author wrote.  Although Ellen enraged me at times and definitely had her own personality struggles before the tragedy even took place, I truly felt for her and enjoyed her perspectives. This was a very good book, I doubt I will forget it. 

daniquewieringa's review against another edition

emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

1.75

maanbloem's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective tense slow-paced

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

3.75

Had niet verwacht dat dit boek zo zwaar zou vallen op de ziel. Normaal geen fan van Nederlandse literatuur maar dit is knap geschreven

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Abandonment, Child abuse, Child death, and Rape

annamdm's review

dark emotional sad

3.0

maralyons's review

2.0

I really tried to get into this book, but it just didn't draw me in. I only read a little over 100 pages, but even that seemed to take a long time to read. The author's tone and situations were interesting and rang true, but I just couldn't get into it for whatever reason. The author seems to delicately tease out the story and fill in details. I'd recommend this book for others, but it just wasn't for me.

teske's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

evadis's review against another edition

3.0

Fijn geschreven maar naar verhaal met een onprettig hoofdpersonage.

rixt7's review against another edition

dark sad medium-paced

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

3.5

Wat een lugubere dood had het gezin waar Ellen in opgroeide zeg.. Ik vroeg me het hele boek af hoe het nou gebeurd was en in het laatste hoofdstuk kom je erachter. Had niet verwacht dat het zo... naar zou zijn. Het perspectief vanuit Margje was wel cruciaal om het nog een soort van te begrijpen.