Veghel writer (29) presents new book: ‘I have had to deal with a lot of bullying’ – Advertising Veghel | City newspaper Veghel

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VEGHEL | Femke Feenstra (29) from Veghel has published a second book. It is a sequel to her first novel, which she wrote when she was 15 years old. Feenstra’s second book entitled Verborgen Verleden is about lies, revenge, friendships and defamation.

Hidden Past is a young adult novel about bullying, relationships, friendships and social difficulties. Feenstra: “The first book was about Shana, a gothic girl who has recently arrived at school. She is bullied there because of the way she looks, this goes from bad to worse and eventually leads to a climax. In the end, things seem to work out after all. The book ends on a positive note.”

Strange things
Part two takes place four years later. Shana is now nineteen, has had a difficult home situation and has left home. She now lives with housemate Kate, who leads a rough life. Feenstra continues: “Shana has a group of friends with whom she gets along well and at first her life seems to have finally entered calmer waters. Yet there is friction. For example, she does not always get along well with Michael, Tobias’s best friend who has a crush on her. He always seems to bother her, but she doesn’t know why.” Other strange things also start happening to or around her that she can’t put her finger on. The situation escalates when the leading actress is threatened by Michael. She decides to hide and find out on her own what exactly is going on. After her own investigation, she discovers that she is being thwarted by an old rival. “The biggest bully from four years ago has once again targeted her and managed to completely denigrate her compared to her friends, including Tobias. The past she so desperately wanted to leave behind haunts her again. Shana must do her utmost to clear her name, but will she succeed? For that you really have to read the book,” laughs the 29-year-old writer from Veghel.

Autism
Feenstra says that it is not an autobiography, but it does contain elements that apply to her life. “I can easily relate to the characters and find it fascinating to deepen them, let them collide or, on the contrary, let them fall apart. As a child I could read quickly and wrote short stories on an old-fashioned typewriter. It’s my way of expressing. When I have inspiration, the story comes naturally from my fingers.” She gets her inspiration from situations that affect her, things that have happened, both in the news and in Feenstra’s immediate environment. “Somehow I hope to create some awareness among people about prejudices and how harmful they can be. Their serious consequences, and how they can destroy people. Because I have dealt with this a lot myself, I know very well what it is like. Due to my autism, I often fell outside the boat, which is why I have had to deal with a lot of bullying in my life,” Feenstra concludes.

Verborgen Verleden can be ordered for 27.50 euros via: www.boekenbestellen.nl.