Who Was the Hatter?
Ghent, the early 1950s. Hermine and Didier, who are both studying German literature at the university with charismatic professor Herman, have a short-lived but passionate relationship. Then they go their separate ways, but twelve years later they meet again and drive to a conference in Vienna together. Although both are married by now, the passion is reignited during this trip and they embark on an intense affair. Hermine tries to temper Didier’s all-consuming passion, but he is a tormented, suicidal writer who is heading straight for his date with destiny.
A marvel of penmanship *****De Volkskrant
In this autobiographical love tragedy, Loekie Zvonik brings a delicate pen and psychological finesse to the final few weeks in the life of Dirk De Witte, a troubled man who lost himself in the diaries, letters and novels of suicidal writers such as Stig Dagerman, Gérard de Nerval and Cesare Pavese. With disarming honesty and heart-warming authenticity, Zvonik lays bare her soul for her great beloved: unable to save him from death, she did save him from oblivion. The fact that more than forty years after its original publication this book continues to evoke emotion and recognition is proof of that.
Zvonik’s writing is clear and atmospheric and full of empathy. Her intense novel from 1975 certainly deserves this second life. ****1/2De Morgen
A beautiful, lovingly written novel. One of the most perfect romans à clef I know of in Dutch-language literature.Jeroen Brouwers