ELINE VEDDER
Reviews
Sitting Next to a Stranger✨
I really enjoyed how Mexico came to life, it felt like I was there. The descriptions of the colors, the people, the food, language use. All well done!
Great at showing the reader places around Mexico and the history. A great blend of Spanish in the book as well. I felt like I went on many adventures
A Soul-Stirring Journey Worth Taking
I absolutely loved this book from front to back. It beautifully captures the raw, vulnerable journey of an artist surrendering to the unknown, taking bold steps into uncharted territory, and embracing the unexpected. Each “stranger” the author encounters isn’t just a character, but a vivid reminder of how connection can shape and expand us. Some moments had me laughing out loud, others brought me to tears, and by the end, I was left with a reignited sense of wanderlust and a deep curiosity about the world and the people in it. If you’ve ever felt the pull to explore something bigger than yourself, or just need a reminder of the magic that comes from saying “yes,” this book is for you. 10/10 a must-read for creatives, dreamers, and wanderers.
I was Nora when I lived in South Africa as a lost 20-year-old. This book articulated my own life philosophies so beautifully. just do it, damn it!
I loved this book! It felt like I was in Mexico. I love Nora, she is a unique character. The book is really like a rainbow.
This book is about Nora and she is sick of her boring and careful life. Everything is planned out and nothing exciting happens. That is until she ends up traveling alone to Mexico! She does not only get her creativity back, but she also meets a lot of cool people there. I really really liked this book! Nora is a relatable person, which made me connect with her from the start. I laughed out loud when she said the people she worked with at the office are "gray". She hates being surrounded by the Gray, boring people. Girl honestly, same!! Another thing I'm obsessed about is how Nora sees the world. Nora approached every encounter or situation as art. All these little parts and meetups are named like a painting. So original! If you love books where the main character develops herself and is into art and traveling, this is the perfect read! Nora talks a lot about Van Gogh (a famous Dutch painter), and this only made me like this book more since I love his artwork. Also, I want to go to Mexico now! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ P.s. Enrique will always have a special place in my heart
Absolutely adore this book! It takes you on the most magical, interesting, and exhilarating trip to Mexico. Nora is done with the Gray life in Amsterdam and decides to go to Mexico. She’s not used to traveling or even expanding her horizons, but she feels ready. And she goes for it, boy, does she go for it! Her love for art shines through the pages. I can vividly picture her drawings as she describes them, and that makes this book so unique and special. You can’t help but fall in love with the people she meets, something I can relate to from having traveled a lot and meeting the most amazing people on my own journeys. The lessons she learns are invaluable, and it resonates so much. It’s absolutely gorgeous as well as delicious because, next to my mind being surrounded by rainbow colors, I am also craving all kinds of Mexican and Middle/South American food! Do yourself a favor and read this book!
This was a really fun read. Especially for a debut novel and for being written in the author's second language, it was really excellently written and edited. I was definitely engrossed in the story, and also along the way I noted numerous little passages where there was a phrase or concept inserted into the story that shone like a jewel of its own within the narrative. I love a good travel log, and this was very much that. The reader gets detailed descriptions of the setting, which starts in The Netherlands and transitions to Mexico. The reader also gets a great intimate look at all the characters surrounding the protagonist, as well as an up-front and personal look at her inner world. It's clear that Eline loves to write and I really look forward to the book(s) that will follow this one.