BOOK: Zoals Dat Gaat Met Wonderen - Arthur Japin

Title: Zoals Dat Gaat Met Wonderen, Diaries 2000-2007
Author: Arthur Japin
Genre: Autobiography, diary
Publisher: privé-domein, De Arbeiderspers (2008)
Pages: paperback, 454
Language: Dutch
Rating: 9/10
Summary: A chronological collection of impressions and thoughts written down between 2000 and 2007 when actor/author Arthur Japin was working on his next books after his succesful debut 'The Two Hearts of Kwasi Boachi' an unknown story about two young princes from Ghana who were given to King William The First in the early nineteenth century.

Review
Arthur Japin reminds me of Stephen Fry; he is as charming and erudite and despite reassurance from everyone surrounding him, still very insecure about his appearance. He presented the Dutch edition of QI. He was originally famous as an actor in a daily soap-opera but never really felt comfortable as an idol. Eventually he quit acting and started writing. His first novel was a worldwide succes and although he does now occasionally act again, he is mainly a well respected author.
After his book debuted, it was translated in several other languages and he travelled all over the world to promote it. In his diaries there are many fragments about his travels and conversations he had with various (unknown and famous) people along the way.
While traveling he was also working on several books. If you've read any of his novels, you will recognize where he found his inspiration and how he researched the background of his characters.
My favorite snippets are his personal observations and thoughts about the loves of his life. Arthur has been together with publisher Lex Jansen since 1979 and in 2000 he also fell in love with -young- American author Ben Moser. I was mesmerized by Arthur's emotional struggle and how they eventually handled the issue really shook up my previous point of view on the subject. The three of them currently live together in Amsterdam.
I've learned so much from Japin's approach of life. He is able to capture a lot in just a few sentences and nearly every paragraph made me think. Mostly about how I perceive other people. It's a little disconcerting to feel my inner cynic melt.
Not that Arthur is always positive or optimistic, but he does emphasize constantly that love is the most important thing in the world. Like I said: it's a little disconcerting, but I'm definitely inspired to read his books.

BOOK: This Is All - Aidan Chambers

Title: This Is All, The Pillow Book of Cordelia Kenn
Author: Aidan Chambers
Genre: Teens, family
Publisher: Definitions (2007), 2005
Pages: paperback, 808
Language: English
Rating: 8/10
Summary: Cordelia Kenn kept a diary from her fifteenth birthday. Now she is nineteen and pregnant and from her writings and memories she composes a pillowbook for her unborn daughter to share her own experiences as a teen.

Spoilerfree review
This is a huge book and as part of the unconnected teen-series by Aidan Chambers the first that is written in a female voice. (Although the author explains in his afterword how the other "Dance" books also all have female protagonists). It's also the biggest book.
Cordelia tells about her first boyfriend; how they met, how they had sex, all in intimate detail. Her discovery of love is the heart of the story, but she also talks a lot about the other people in her life; her aunt who offers her a second home after her mother died and her teacher who helps her deal with teen-life. In between it becomes clear how her mother's death affected Cordelia and her father.
I loved her voice and openess. I recognized the journey to (semi) adulthood and the questions and challenges along the way.
The book is divided in several pillowbooks, that all have their own style, depending on Cordelia's mood and experience at the time of the described events and discoveries. Sometimes it's poetic and lyrical, other times very systematic with subjects alfabetically organized. It makes for a very dynamic book. Beautiful.

BOOK: Boy - James Hanley

Title: Boy
Author: James Hanley
Genre: Drama
Publisher: One World Classics Ltd (2007), 1931
Pages: paperback, 175
Language: English
Rating: 7/10
Summary: Twelve year old Fearon has to quit school because his parents need the extra money. His father gets him a job in the shipyard. Fearon is treated very roughly and runs away from home. He stows away on a freighter, hoping to start a new life. When he is discovered and put to work he learns quickly that a ship full of rugged seamen is not a very safe place for an innocent young boy.

Spoilerfree review
I accidentally bought this book as a present based on the title and cover. But after carefully reading the summary I decided it was too harsh to give away.
This book was supressed for more than fifty years by a prosecution for obscenity. It is indeed a rather disturbing story, but one that definitely needs to be available for the public.
I found the old English language sometimes difficult to understand, mostly because of the use of a lot of ancient expressions and dialects. Regardless of the label of obscenity I thought the author often tried to cover up the lewdness which made it hard to figure out what was going on.
But even though it's not easy to read, the book is worth the effort.

My edition included an essay on the writer and extended notes on the book.

BOOK: Postcards From No Man's Land - Aidan Chambers

Title: Postcards From No Man's Land
Author: Aidan Chambers
Genre: Teens, History (WWII)
Publisher: Definitions (2007), 1999
Pages: paperback, 331
Language: English
Rating: 8/10
Summary: On request of his grandmother English teen Jacob Todd travels on his own to The Netherlands for the commemoration of the Battle of Arnhem where his grandfather fought in WorldWar II. Jacob has his own mission too; he wants to visit the Anne Frank house. In between staying with old friends of his grandmother he gets lost in Amsterdam.
Intermixed with Jacob's adventures elderly Dutch woman Geertrui tells her story of love and betrayal in times of war, linking Jacob with her family in a way he never suspected. It makes him question his place in the world.

Spoilerfree review
It's both weird and interesting to read an outsider point of view of your own country. Jacob experiences a strong feeling of alienation because he doesn't understand the language. Of course I had no problem with the Dutch messages he receives and thus missed a bit of the intended mystery. I did enjoy his journey though, and could relate to the overwhelming sense of awe when traveling in an unknown place. The people Jacob meets along the way are all very intriguing.

It was strange to hear Geertrui's history in English; at first I felt like translating it back to Dutch. But it didn't take long for me to get engrossed by her words. I really felt as if I was living with her in that period of time.
Switching between Jacob's journey in the present time and Geertrui's life during the war was also something I had to get used to. But it's a well handled device to discover similarities (and differences) between their experiences.
As usual Aidan Chambers does not shy away from the more intimate issues in life.It was a revelation to realize teens in the forties struggled with the same feelings as today's youth.
Despite my initial doubts about yet another war-related history lesson, I ended up getting very emotionally involved with both Jacob and Geertrui. Recommended!

COMIC: Fokke & Sukke, Het Afzien Van 2009

Title: Fokke & Sukke, het afzien van 2009
Author: Reid, Geleijnse & Van Tol
Genre: Comic
Publisher: Uitgeverij Catullus
Pages: paperback, 112
Language: Dutch
Rating: 9/10
Summary: Cartoon characters Fokke and Sukke discuss newstopics from 2009

Review with sample comic
Fokke & Sukke are very popular cartoon characters in The Netherlands. In addition to a daily comic in a national newspaper (NRC) and a weekly comic in the TV guide (VARA) they also appear on daily talkshow DWDD. There is a huge archive on their website. The comic is made since 1997 by three former students and there is no subject they don't cover. I'm trying to collect all their books and I loved this latest collection from 2009. It has many observations and jokes about the news that instantly make you remember what happened in the last year. I translated one of my favorites:


:-)
Their ten year anniversary book is available in several languages, including English. Details on the website (scroll down:)