Nine Open Arms by Benny Lindelauf (review)

When her perpetual dreamer father attempts yet another business venture, it’s off to another house for Dutch eleven-year-old Fing, her six siblings, father, and maternal grandmother Oma Mei, who has looked after the “half-orphans” following the death of their mother some nine years prior. The children depend on their sharp-tongued but devoted Oma Mei for guidance, brusque affection, and the occasional family story to bolster them as they wait to finally feel at home. Their newest residence, dubbed “Nine Open Arms” for the girls’ method of measuring its length, contains elements that hint at a “tragical tragedy,” one that Fing soon realizes her grandmother already knows. However, Oma Mei only shares the stories she wants when she wants, and Fing, beginning to understand that not every tale her grandmother tells is true, pushes for honesty, even if it exposes the cracks in the family’s foundation. Set in the mid-1930s Netherlands, this subdued but heartfelt work of domestic fiction subtly explores family dynamics and personal yearning, with particular insight into sisterly relationships and the obligations of eldest daughters. The story of the house and its original owners, when finally revealed, is an engaging and poignant tale in its own right, adding textures of romance and friendship to Fing’s family-focused narration. This is a quiet novel for readers who, like Fing, know that patience and perseverance can have considerable rewards. With the help of a provided glossary, aspiring linguists may enjoy wrestling with the Dutch slang peppered throughout.