»The blurb sounded promising. What followed were hours in which I couldn't put the book down. The young author tells the story of 14-year-old Billie so sensitively...«

»For Paradise Garden is a road novel in which one is always ready to give the shirt off one's back for the happiness of its characters, or at least the end of their misfortune.«

»There is a surprising lightness to the quiet sadness that runs through the book, which is repeatedly underscored by witty dialogue and whimsical twists.«

»It is impressive, to say the least, how masterfully and down-to-earth she tells of life in a high-rise suburb [. . . ]«

»Paradise Garden is an accomplished debut about the courage to get to know one’s own origins and to accept them as they are.«

»This novel is a small miracle - and a big surprise.«

»The young author paints the picture of three women who [...] initially have little empathy for each other and only slowly build up understanding and affection after a tragic accident.«

»You want to read more from this author.«

»A really good debut.«

»[. . .] we will be hearing a lot more from Elena Fischer.«

»Landing the first novel with a renowned publisher and then immediately being nominated for the ›German Book Prize‹.«

»Elena Fischer writes so lovingly about sadness that it is comforting.«

»In its emotionality, Elena Fischer’s coming of age novel is reminiscent of Benedict Wells’ Hard Land.«

»A protagonist who casts a spell on you and attests to [Elena Fischer’s] gift of perception and great narrative talent.«

»A complex story about the beauty of life. «

»Heartbreaking, sad and hopeful at the same time. Anyone who enjoyed reading Wolfgang Herrndorf's Tschick will also enjoy Elena Fischer. «

»Heartbreaking and funny at the same time.«

»Compelling. With all its tension, speed and humor, this coming-of-age story is extremely suitable as a young-adult novel. But don't neglect it if you're over eighteen.«

»I loved this book from page one onwards. It will be beneficial to your heart and soul.«

»Billie whispers in our ears. The revolt breathes in these chapters brimmed with hope and longing. She’s got a sound all of her own, feverish, eclectic.«

»A book that makes you think on complexity of family ties and developing identity. Tears of laughter and sadness.« 

»One of the best this year. Full of exentric, strange and somewhat irritating characters, but in a sympathetic way.«

»Witty and affecting, her young heroine has an unbreakable frankness. Until the end of her journey, Billie illuminates this magnificent novel that follows the chaotic path of family reunion.«

»… a tender, coming-of-age story of loss, resilience and longing for home.«

»Blending imagination and melancholy, travelogue and coming-of-age novel, Elena Fischer garnishes Paradise Garden with vibrant characters, stunning landscapes, and scenes that are utterly cinematic in their dialogue and pacing. A small miracle of sensitivity, intelligence, and freshness.«

»With lively and inventive language, Elena Fischer delivers a charming, heart-catching debut novel.«

»The German author delivers a poignant debut novel about an adolescent’s resilience and longing for freedom.«

»A refreshing bit of magic . . . almost like a fairy tale.«