Part science fiction, part morality tale and part examination of developmental disorders, this Dutch novel carefully and expertly increases suspense until you are begging the author "not to go there". Inevitably, yes, the author "goes there."Victor Hoppe was born with a cleft palate and rejected by his mother. He is placed in an institution run by a Catholic convent where, due to his lack of speech and emotions, he is assumed to be mentally retarded. Through the care and tutelage of a young apprentice nun, who harbors her own doubts about her chosen path, Victor is revealed to be something of a child prodigy, though probably afflicted with Asperger's Syndrome, a high functioning form of autism.Combine his penchant for the Bible stories he learned at the institution with an "Aspie's" tendency to take things all too literally and his burgeoning scientific genius and you soon have a doctor attempting to "beat God at his own game."The novel touches on several hot-button topics, from religious maltreatment of institutionalized persons, to human cloning, and would be a great read for book clubs interested in stimulating discussion.Though The Angel Maker is the only Brijs book available in English at this time, I look forward to reading future translations of his works. Een heel indrukwekkend boek, dat zeker. De Engelenmaker combineert op zeer unieke wijze godsdienst en wetenschap. De spanning en de vragen die de schrijver al vanaf het eerste hoofdstuk oproept dwingen je om verder te lezen. Hoe kan je ooit je doel bereiken als je de lat telkens weer hoger legt?Ook vond ik het veranderende perspectief heel fascinerend omdat uiteindelijk alle geïntroduceerde personages een significante rol krijgen aan het einde van het boek.4.5 sterren
What do You think about Le Faiseur D'anges (2005)?
Eén van de beste boeken die ik ooit las... Boeiend van de eerste tot de laatste bladzijde!
—Jessica_Smith
I thought this book was missing something, I was also disappointed in the ending.
—ngan
