Sterremeer (1990)

A first, when I started reading this book, I didn't like it at all. I did not get through the first 5 pages and put it aside to try again later.

That later has now come: I have now read it. I thought it was good, impressive, but also a very depressing book. The main character Sterremeer wants to be / become a poet very badly and is prepared to do just about everything to reach that goal. He is not recognised as a poet, even laughed at in literary circles in the Netherlands.

His story is one that brings him all over the globe in various trades. But when he meets the American Robie, he emigrates to America marries her. Life is laughing at him again (kind of the American dream coming true for an immigrant...) . His poetry gets published.
Nikko, the narrator of the story meets Sterremeer at various points in his life, also on the boat to America. Their friendship is getting closer again, their wives and children also get along well.

Up to a certain point all goes well. Then Robie decides to reveal a terrible secret. Sterremeer's world falls apart and he and his daughter (let alone Robie) never really recover. ( )