A liberating book for people struggling with guilt around euthanasia.

The book has two storylines: a family chronicle centred on the life and death of father Martin Derckx; and in addition, a reflection on the backward ethics and morality in the Roman Catholic Church, through conversations between Martin Derckx and his friend the moral theologian Prof Edward Schillebeeckx.

By combining fact and fiction, the author manages to intertwine the two strands naturally. The reader gets to know Martin better and better and gets virtually involved in his dilemmas.

Towards the end, the storylines merge and the story becomes increasingly personal, intimate. The final chapters surrounding Martin's incurable illness and death are gripping. Daughter and father draw ever closer together, with the daughter's love contrasting sharply with the church's callousness.

The story about the doctor Theo, son Boem and his Family moved me deeply. Very clever how the author manages to connect (selections of) the letter fragments and put them in the context of their time. The (privileged) life in the East Indies, WWI, life in The Hague during WWII (including the bombing of Bezuidenhout), the difficult reconstruction, everything passes by. While reading, the protagonist Theo also really gets you as a reader, with the peaks and especially the valleys full of sadness he encounters in his life. What a great read. The book really comes highly recommended!

In a sparkling style, this novel tells of illusions, dreams and ideals. Judith's quest for the great love, ultimately turns out to be primarily a search for herself and a soul mate.

'This book is a novel, biography and pamphlet at the same time. As a biographical novel, it moves on the border between fiction and non-fiction. In the final chapters, the book culminates in a protest against the Catholic Church's stance against euthanasia. 

This beautifully crafted book is based on the unique correspondence of the Van Ravenswaay family. It is touching how all family members maintained contact with each other. A unique correspondence of the family. Jasmijn Derckx has skilfully and respectfully rendered the enormous source of information (4000 letters!). It is an extraordinary standard work!

A blend of purity and sensuality. Jasmine exudes the finesse of sensuality.