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.