“Hagena writes in sensual, poetic prose, bringing a fairy-tale quality to her gothic tale of family secrets and deceits.” — Booklist
“This melancholy novel about lifting the layers of history is packed with gorgeous imagery and undertones of buried secrets...Sultry, tragic and intensely atmospheric.” — The Times (London)
Beautifully phrased, artful and sometimes ingenious...The Taste of Apple Seeds is atmospheric and sensual...Hagena ingrains the creaking old house--and the book--with melancholy; every word, every place is weighted with memories. — The Independent
Hagena’s sensitivity and attention to detail, and a narrator whose honesty and comical clumsiness keep the story light and engaging, have universal appeal. — Sunderland Echo
The Taste of Apple Seeds is a pure masterpiece. Germany has had a triumph with the debut of this unknown author last year. — Le Nouvel Observateur
Between the lines, you smell the odor “of apples and old stones”...You eat her apple entirely, even with the apple seeds. — Elle (FR)
Trespassing from emotion to tenderness, from laughing to tragedy. Katharina Hagena retraces subtly the destiny of each of her characters who are all related to each other. In a fluid and delicate writing style she intertwines remembering and forgiving, a moving story. — Notes Bibliographiques
“There is an enchantment about this book which is almost like a fable...With seamless flash-backs Katharina Hagena retellst he story of this friendship.” — Ballarat Courier
“Intriguing and carefully written.” — Daily Mail (London)
“Unbearably moving but ultimately uplifting.” — Good Housekeeping, UK
“Hagena’s sensitivity and attention to detail, and a narrator whose honesty and comical clumsiness keep the story light nad engaging, have a universal appeal.” — Irish News
“The book works a slow charm as Iris chronicles the love life of one aunt after another.” — Metro London
“It’s easy to see why this riveting gothic saga spent two years on the German bestseller list.” — Saga Magazine
“[This] almost has a magical feel to it, and many will find it to be extremely moving and thought-provoking. This hidden gem is utterly engrossing — RT Book Reviews
