Marten Toonder (1912–2005)

It is really a shame that the "Bommel" books haven't been translated from Dutch to other languages! (some have been translated, but are impossible to find)

This was a very worthwile read: a funny parody of the credit crunch, except that it was written in the 1960s.

One learns about the sadness of having everything (as that leaves no hope for gaining more value, only fear of losing) and about how big money attracts more money.
In the book this happens quite literally when a big amount of money show more attains critical mass because one more cent is added (unjustly, as will appear later): all the money in the surroundings - both coins and bills - leaves the purses of anyone wo happens to be around, and attaches itself to the ball which acts somewhat like a black hole.

This book is as amusing as it is thoughtful. show less

Een gezapige mix van telkens weer diezelfde taalgrapjes, een zwak, meanderend verhaal en chaotische inconsistent gebruikte symbolen waardoor het geheel niet echt een punt maakt. kritiek op de kapitalistische maatschappij was zelfs in de jaren zeventig al achterhaald. geen werkelijk visionair boek, wel oké om te lezen, maar ook een boek om snel te vergeten.

I thought the first story wasn't terribly strong, but the second and third story in this collection really picked up.

The introduction of Bul Super and Hiep Hieper in De Superfilm-onderneming was the best and longest story in this collection.