So spare and classic are its virtues, this is a novel that could have been written decades ago. But there's deep complexity in its considerations of fate, morality, and belief. --Kirkus Reviews
Vantortelboom's slender novel feels light and dreamy. He gives his characters the space to interact with the world around them and each other, and it is often what is left unsaid that proves to be most important to the story. A thoughtful and engaging read. --Historical Novel Society
For a relatively young writer, Vantoortelboom strikes a powerfully emotive chord --Irish Examiner
Stories of people with whom you can really identify--Provinciale Zeeuwse Courant
Vantoortelboom's evocative prose plunges the reader immediately into the Flanders of WWII --Trouw
A book that leaves a deep impression. From the first page on, it has you in its grip. Containing all the big themes, it is moving, endearing, and beautifully written' --Book of the Month, DWDD Booksellers Panel
Intelligent and well-composed --De Morgen
Vantoortelboom writes like a true Thoreau about the almost magical beauty of nature: a nature that also provides him with the parallels that are so important running through this book --Knack Focus
A book to get excited about --NRC Handelsblad
His Name is David crawls deep under your skin and nestles there --Humo
Skillfully constructed--weaving action, introspection and flashback --De Groene Amsterdammer
Just wonderful --De Telegraaf
The first pages are immediately of a devastating intensity --8Weekly
A discovery. The images that the writer evokes are so strong that you instantly feel connected as a reader. A beautiful story, compelling and moving. Highly recommended --Tros Nieuwsshow
Compelling and strongly composed: a beautifully written novel --Visie
A novel written in beautiful Flemish about guilt and innocence, responsibility and choice, and the good and evil sides of people --Boek
Every single word rings true. In just a few sentences Vantoortelboom outlines a situation, creates atmosphere, evokes feelings. In an incredibly well-constructed story, he keeps adding stones until a carefully crafted house is born--a beautiful work in book form --Nederlands Dagblad