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Loading... Engelen van het duister (2001)by Jan Siebelink
Work InformationEngelen van het duister by Jan Siebelink (2001)
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)839.31364Literature German literature and literatures of related languages Other Germanic literatures Netherlandish literatures Dutch Dutch fiction 20th Century 1945-1999RatingAverage:
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Like Maarten 't Hart, Siebelink grew up in an extremely Calvinistic religious environment. I was worried, that I might not like this book very much, but have to admit that it was much better than I expected, albeit a bit long-winded and unfocussed.
Not speaking from experience, I assume that many features of the behaviour and life of the main characters, the brothers Lucas and Casper Alteveer, are symbolic for sin. Some are very evident, such as Casper prostituting himself, acting as a gigolo, and adultery, having a baby with his sister-in-law, and Lucas' human trafficking and meddling in prostitution. Many pages and side-lines to the story illustrate the further decay of society. Initially, the reader may feel that Casper's behaviour is in a way just rebellion against his dominant father, but as the novel progresses, the two brothers are becoming more and more alike, as if they are converging in sinful behaviour.
The condemning tone of the book, the rejection of modern society, which is felt widely in Dutch society, makes one wonder whether the author wants to reinstate the moral standards of the past. Possibly, the success of Knielen op een bed violen is a resounding affirmation of that. ( )