R.I.P. Hugo Claus

**Adrian II** · 03-19-2008, 21:28

A great Flemish writer died today, by his own choice because Alzheimer got to him before the Reaper did.

Hugo Claus was probably the best post-war author in Dutch. It is hard to explain to non-Dutch readers why this is, and today I won't bother anyhow. My favourite Claus book was De Geruchten, loosely translated as Gossip. It's about an intrigue in a Flemish village alright, but it's about all the world, about you and me, our parents and our kids. A book for all times, the best that literature has to offer.

May his indomitable soul rest in peace.

**seireikhaan** · 03-19-2008, 21:31

Originally Posted by Adrian II

May his indomitable soul rest in peace.

Where? I thought that heaven couldn't exist, since it isn't in any physical place, and was thus illogical?

**Dutch_guy** · 03-19-2008, 21:36

Rest in Peace.

**Adrian II** · 03-19-2008, 21:38

Originally Posted by kamikhaan

Where? I thought that heaven couldn't exist, since it isn't in any physical place, and was thus illogical?

It is my way of saying that I hope he was at peace with himself when he died.

**Andres** · 03-19-2008, 21:40

A true master died

**The Stranger** · 03-19-2008, 22:48

nu wordt ie pas echt beroemd, grote dichters zijn dode dichters.

**seireikhaan** · 03-19-2008, 22:53

Originally Posted by Adrian II

It is my way of saying that I hope he was at peace with himself when he died.

Well, I imagine he was if he was willing to end it. Alzheimers would not be a fun way to go.

**Artorius Maximus** · 03-20-2008, 01:58

An unfortunate tragedy. May he rest well in heaven right now.

:(

**Louis VI the Fat** · 03-20-2008, 02:52

Sad news indeed.

Originally Posted by Adrian II

A great Flemish writer died today

Le grand écrivain belge d’expression néerlandaise Hugo Claus est décédé. Un écrivain belge, qui se présentait comme un flamingant francophone.

Donc, ce sont tous les Belges qui sont chagrin.

Claus died today, by his own choice because Alzheimer got to him before the Reaper did.

Bless Belgium. So much better than the fate of Chantal Sébire.

**Adrian II** · 03-20-2008, 05:38

Originally Posted by Louis VI the Fat

Donc, ce sont tous les Belges qui sont chagrin.

Oh me fais pas ça, Louis, je t'en pris.

Disons que tous les amants de la littérature portent le deuil. Pourtant Claus était Flamand. Non pas Hollandais ou Français. Ni "Flamingant", bien sûr; il détestait le genre.

**Kralizec** · 03-20-2008, 16:04

Rest in peace.

To be honest I've only read De geruchten from him, and that was about 10 years ago.

**Adrian II** · 03-20-2008, 17:27

Originally Posted by Fenring

Rest in peace.

To be honest I've only read De geruchten from him, and that was about 10 years ago.

Great, great book. There is a subtle suggestion that murder is introduced into the village from the outside, because the killer has been a colonial soldier in Congo. On the other hand, Claus also leaves open the possibility that René was corrupted prior to this, by his village youth. Or even by his ancestry, since he is 'rumoured' to be the son of a Flemish Obergruppenführer in WWII. Cause and effect are so well interwoven and confused in this novel, it is life as we live it..

**doc_bean** · 03-21-2008, 09:15

Arm Vlaanderen is weer wat armer geworden.

RIP Hugo !

**Conradus** · 03-21-2008, 09:39

Enkel nog maar een paar gedichten van hem gelezen. Maar zeker een groots man en schrijver.

May he rest in peace, it was a better way to go than Alzheimer.

**Fragony** · 03-21-2008, 09:58

duivelskunstenaar adieu

**Papewaio** · 03-25-2008, 05:31

RIP though I know not his works, I will take his worth by the patrons who show praise.

Originally Posted by Adrian II

Hugo Claus was probably the best post-war author in Dutch. It is hard to explain to non-Dutch readers why this is, and today I won't bother anyhow... but it's about all the world, about you and me, our parents and our kids. A book for all times, the best that literature has to offer.

Question, if it is about you and me and the entire world... isn't it important to explain to non-Dutch readers his works? ... A thread for the backroom or another book of the month suggestion?