What do you think?
Rate this book
Amsterdam #2
Amsterdam 2020
In the year 2020, a young woman joins the Dutch Resistance to defeat Islamic fascism, testing her passions, loyalties, friendships, and faith.
When Katrien Brinkerhoff turns eleven, Islamic terrorists brutally murder six Dutch actors, which touches off a tinderbox of sectarian fighting across Europe. Within weeks, Islamists take over the government. The most liberal city in the world becomes the most conservative, and Katrien and her family scramble to survive, forced to make one impossible choice after another.
Women must wear burkas. Children go to madrassahs, Christians and Jews are not allowed to own businesses, cannot work in government, cannot go to college. Atheists are sent to work camps. When her father dies defending the public library, Katrien's mother marries a family friend who is Muslim. They convert, and change her name to Salima.
At sixteen Salima joins the Resistance as a courier, then as a Postbode, moving Christians and Jews out of Europe, then as a saboteur, working with the exile government in Copenhagen to free Europe.
Then Salima makes the biggest sacrifice of her life—an arranged marriage to Kazan Basturk, son of a powerful Islamist, a decision that will lead her to question every choice she has ever made, eventually taking her to Turkey, where Coalition Forces will soon invade.
With a stunning sense of physical detail and reality, Amsterdam 2020 deftly interweaves the lives of Salima, her past, her loves, her work in the Resistance, and shows us a future that seems all too possible.
When Katrien Brinkerhoff turns eleven, Islamic terrorists brutally murder six Dutch actors, which touches off a tinderbox of sectarian fighting across Europe. Within weeks, Islamists take over the government. The most liberal city in the world becomes the most conservative, and Katrien and her family scramble to survive, forced to make one impossible choice after another.
Women must wear burkas. Children go to madrassahs, Christians and Jews are not allowed to own businesses, cannot work in government, cannot go to college. Atheists are sent to work camps. When her father dies defending the public library, Katrien's mother marries a family friend who is Muslim. They convert, and change her name to Salima.
At sixteen Salima joins the Resistance as a courier, then as a Postbode, moving Christians and Jews out of Europe, then as a saboteur, working with the exile government in Copenhagen to free Europe.
Then Salima makes the biggest sacrifice of her life—an arranged marriage to Kazan Basturk, son of a powerful Islamist, a decision that will lead her to question every choice she has ever made, eventually taking her to Turkey, where Coalition Forces will soon invade.
With a stunning sense of physical detail and reality, Amsterdam 2020 deftly interweaves the lives of Salima, her past, her loves, her work in the Resistance, and shows us a future that seems all too possible.
419 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 21, 2015
9 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Ruth Francisco
20 books27 followersI tend to write novels that are a little controversial. I don't intend to, but a question grabs hold of my mind--Do we have a right to say no to medical technology? What would it be like to be Jackie Kennedy? Where is Islamic extremism taking us?--and it won't let go. I have to explore it, I have to write about it.
Since my interests are varied, my books are varied, perhaps too much so. But whatever the theme, I always explore identity, trying to reconcile the physical and spiritual worlds. My characters respond sensually to the world as I do, they question and doubt. It would be easier to be a different kind of writer maybe. I hope you get something out of my little efforts.
Since my interests are varied, my books are varied, perhaps too much so. But whatever the theme, I always explore identity, trying to reconcile the physical and spiritual worlds. My characters respond sensually to the world as I do, they question and doubt. It would be easier to be a different kind of writer maybe. I hope you get something out of my little efforts.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 12, 2016
Boy it took me some time to finish this one! Had me crying at the end - thank God everyone lived.
I don't want to give to much away - this starts up where the other book ends - but we see it through the eyes of a Dutch girl - she had a good childhood - loving parents - Pieter ...who was killed trying to save the books from being burnt by the Muslims.
Her mother marries a dear family friend that they knew all along, he was Muslim - he becomes the chief of police after the Muslims take over.
It deals with the underground, resistant fighting, sailing, surviving, romance, spy, you name it -the book had it.
I really got more into it - when it was the relationship between Khazan and Salima - and seeing them play off each other. I really enjoyed the background to Khazan's childhood and education also -
One thing that I feel the need to point out - the Muslim's don't have to go to war in Europe - for a country to grow our stay the same the birth rate has to be over 2.0 - and the Europeans - are 1.3 - their nations are dying from them not reproducing - like it or not. It is what it is. I think that one day Europe and the world is going to look much different, for better or for worse, than it once did.
I don't want to give to much away - this starts up where the other book ends - but we see it through the eyes of a Dutch girl - she had a good childhood - loving parents - Pieter ...who was killed trying to save the books from being burnt by the Muslims.
Her mother marries a dear family friend that they knew all along, he was Muslim - he becomes the chief of police after the Muslims take over.
It deals with the underground, resistant fighting, sailing, surviving, romance, spy, you name it -the book had it.
I really got more into it - when it was the relationship between Khazan and Salima - and seeing them play off each other. I really enjoyed the background to Khazan's childhood and education also -
One thing that I feel the need to point out - the Muslim's don't have to go to war in Europe - for a country to grow our stay the same the birth rate has to be over 2.0 - and the Europeans - are 1.3 - their nations are dying from them not reproducing - like it or not. It is what it is. I think that one day Europe and the world is going to look much different, for better or for worse, than it once did.
March 26, 2017
Great story
Loved the story and great page turner. While story itself is far fetched the basic premise is possible and scary. The Islamic population in Europe is near a tipping point.
Loved the story and great page turner. While story itself is far fetched the basic premise is possible and scary. The Islamic population in Europe is near a tipping point.
July 11, 2016
Amsterdam was once a place filled with freedoms and unlimited choices. The possibilities were endless, and Amsterdam was a place where dreams were realized. Amsterdam was once filled with tourists, bicyclists, and pedestrians, all enjoying the rich culture and history of the city. Citizens and visitors were able to choose what to eat and drink, which books to read, what to wear and whom to marry.
We meet Katrien as an eight year old. She was full of wonder and fierce passions. She loved the library, a place that made her feel powerful and wise.
Then came the Great Eurabian War, followed by the Islamists occupation.
Outlawed and gone are the restaurants, cafes, bars and the libraries...all deemed illegal by the new government. The much enjoyed, many freedoms are now forbidden and have been replaced by strict Sharia laws and zero tolerance. The Islamists have made life miserable for most people by imposing their laws and stripping away freedoms.
Thankfully, the Resistance is gaining in strength and numbers. We follow a group of fighters as they organize, plot and implement strategies to bring down the Islamists. Katrien transforms into Salima. As Salima gets involved with the Resistance, she becomes more calm, deliberate, poised and fearless...all valuable qualities for the resistance.
While reading this book, I was able to get to know the well-written, main characters and even came to care for them.
A very, timely book that I hope never comes true.
We meet Katrien as an eight year old. She was full of wonder and fierce passions. She loved the library, a place that made her feel powerful and wise.
Then came the Great Eurabian War, followed by the Islamists occupation.
Outlawed and gone are the restaurants, cafes, bars and the libraries...all deemed illegal by the new government. The much enjoyed, many freedoms are now forbidden and have been replaced by strict Sharia laws and zero tolerance. The Islamists have made life miserable for most people by imposing their laws and stripping away freedoms.
Thankfully, the Resistance is gaining in strength and numbers. We follow a group of fighters as they organize, plot and implement strategies to bring down the Islamists. Katrien transforms into Salima. As Salima gets involved with the Resistance, she becomes more calm, deliberate, poised and fearless...all valuable qualities for the resistance.
While reading this book, I was able to get to know the well-written, main characters and even came to care for them.
A very, timely book that I hope never comes true.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews