Talia Stone

From the daily dance of the herons at Albert Cuyp Market to the sisterly myth behind the iconic Skinny Bridge, how well do you know the Dutch capital?

Welcome Home Amsterdam is a unique collection of short stories celebrating the city - its past, its present and its people. Through interwoven fictional lives, the book offers a genuine feel of the real Amsterdam. Some of her most famous features are brought to life alongside everyday scenes of family and friendship, of cycling, fishing and swimming, capturing the authentic culture of the capital today through tales of humanity and connection.

It is no coincidence that water streams through these stories, threading them together, although the characters themselves are unaware that they are intertwined.

It’s a really beautiful throughline and it makes Amsterdam seem so much like a city, not just a place people can visit. It really is such a welcome-and a much needed one in this increasingly hostile world. These stories step into peoples’ lives and have a look around.

This book brings alive fascinating moments with factual flourishes, bold imagery and wonderful observations. The stories have a dignified restraint, which reflects the characters beautifully. Poignant and evocative, with insights that really resonate.