Gondolat Publishers will present the new releases of Dutch language literature translated into Hungarian. Two new books – now the fifth and the sixth – are to be published within the series Accents: Character by Ferdinand Bordewijk, a classic masterpiece of 20th century Dutch literature (translated by Júlia Varga), and Out of Mind by Bernlef, a „living classic” (translated by Szabolcs Wekerle). The books will be presented by writer Gábor Németh and Judit Gera, the editor of the series and also translator of former titles.

Back To Congo by Lieve Joris has been translated into Hungarian by Krisztina Törő. The book will be presented by lady writer Júlia Lángh.

Ferdinand Bordewijk (1884-1965) is a classic figure of 20th century Dutch literature, began his career as a lawyer, and remained in this field for most of his life. He was said to be a precise and reserved man, who would not talk about his private life even to close friends. His first three short stories were published under the title Fantastic stories in 1919, but his real voice found its place more in his novels Blocks (Blokken - 1931), Grunting Animals (Knorrende beesten - 1933) and Bint (1934). His objective and raw prose offers brief, staccato-like sentences, while he uses sharp images, perhaps this way giving way to the passion suppressed as a lawyer. This style characterizes his main novel Character, one of the strictest books in world literature. The story reveals an ill-fated but ambitious child, Jacob Willem Katadreuffe, who manages to become a lawyer, but for that he has to fight with his merciless father. The gloomy background is the social outline of Rotterdam of the time, the twenties and thirties. The novel was filmed, and that adaptation was awarded with an Oscar.

Bernlef, born in 1937, is one of the living classics in Dutch prose, poetry, and drama. He made his debut in 1960, and his first poems and short stories were awarded with several literary prizes. Already these early works could provide a profile that later characterised his professional life: the complicated relation between language and reality. His texts offer an abundance of imagery, while being seemingly simple. This approach characterizes his novel Out of Mind (1984), in which by following the gradual deterioration of the brain functions we can see how the protagonist Maarten`s language registers change, and that his early memories of childhood, friends and love, flash up in various language forms. We can witness the absurd and tragicomical poesy of how language that is falling apart will isolate man and make him defenceless. The novel was filmed in 1988, and a theatre play version was also made.

Born in Flanders, Belgium, Lieve Joris is one of Europe’s leading travel writers. She has written an award-winning book on Hungary, The Melancholy Revolution (De melancholieke revolutie - 1990), and has published widely acclaimed reports of her journeys in the Middle East and Africa, notably the Congo. Her books about the Middle East include The Gulf (De Golf - 1986) and The Gates of Damascus (De poorten van Damascus - 1993). About the Congo she wrote three books: Back to the Congo (Terug naar Kongo - 1987), The Leopard’s Dance (Dans van de luipaard - 2001) and The Rebels’ Hour (Het uur van de rebellen - 2006). The account of her travels through Senegal, Mauretania and Mali, Mali Blues (1996), gained Joris the Belgian triennial award for Flemish Prose (1999) and the prestigious French ‘Prix de l’Astrolabe’.

The review of the event on LITERA, the literary site: http://www.litera.hu/hirek/kepernyon-kenyelmes

Back to Congo by Lieve Joris

Nick:
Comment:
Security code: