Pitfalls
‘Pitfalls’ is a varied collection of letters, verse and short stories. The excerpts from the letters – which were never intended to be made public – caused a furore at the time. This was a new thing in the Flemish literary landscape. Here was a ‘guy’ talking, a tormented writer who lived in isolation in the countryside and struggled with his vocation to write. The title refers to the obstacles between Minne and the process of writing, between the author and publication – in other words, to the aforementioned struggle. As Minne put it: ‘Caution, enter at your peril!’
Minne is a poet, even in his stories: his writing is concise, adhering to the ‘show don’t tell’ adage, and the style, the way in which he tells something, is always paramountTrouw
The inimitable mix of irony, melancholy and wit in his work have a lasting appeal. Minne always remained a man of the people, contrary and cranky, often disparaging. During his lifetime, he was admired by a small group of readers in both the Netherlands and Flanders and by peers such as Elsschot and Boon. The final story in this collection, ‘The Eulogy’, reflects his sombre view of the state of Flemish poetry and culture. Minne wrote outside any literary trends and did not belong to any club or coterie. Ultimately, he was a disappointed idealist. A unique voice.
Really worthwhile thanks to its unique voice, tone and degree of peevishnessNBD Biblion
A literary all-rounder who explores all facets of lifeDe Volkskrant
