Publication
Amsterdam Podium cop. 2005
ISBN
9057593262 / 9789057593260
Language
Collection
Genres
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User reviews
LibraryThing member edwinbcn
Henk van Woerden was a Dutch writer and painter. Born in the Netherlands his parents moved to South Africa when he was three years old. Van Woerden moved to Amsterdam at the age of 20. His book Een mond vol glas was published in English as A Mouthful of Glass or The assassin: a story of race and
Ultramarijn is Van Woerden's last novel, with which he broke through to a larger audience. While the Mediterranean is a familiar setting for novels, the choice of locating the story of this novel in Turkey is novel. Images of the landscape,colours and the role of music in the story, create an sensuous experience.
At the beginning of the book, the main character, Joakim has an incestuous relation with his half-sister, Aysel. To put an end to that relation, Aysel is sent to Europe, and Joakim will never see her again. Joakim grows up lonely, in his poverty-stricken village, and becomes a locally famous musician, playing the lute, often performing in pubs in a nearby coastal village, which gradually develops into a seaside resort, attracting Western tourists. One day, Joakim meets a girl, who reminds him of Aysel, and falls in love with her.
The novel is poetic, but with disturbing undertones of incestuousness. as I was reading it slowly, the novel grew on me, and I kept thinking about it for a long time after reading it.
Ultramarijn has been translated in various languages, including Czech and Chinese.
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rage in the land of Apartheid (American edition, transl. by Dan Jacobson, 2000)Ultramarijn is Van Woerden's last novel, with which he broke through to a larger audience. While the Mediterranean is a familiar setting for novels, the choice of locating the story of this novel in Turkey is novel. Images of the landscape,colours and the role of music in the story, create an sensuous experience.
At the beginning of the book, the main character, Joakim has an incestuous relation with his half-sister, Aysel. To put an end to that relation, Aysel is sent to Europe, and Joakim will never see her again. Joakim grows up lonely, in his poverty-stricken village, and becomes a locally famous musician, playing the lute, often performing in pubs in a nearby coastal village, which gradually develops into a seaside resort, attracting Western tourists. One day, Joakim meets a girl, who reminds him of Aysel, and falls in love with her.
The novel is poetic, but with disturbing undertones of incestuousness. as I was reading it slowly, the novel grew on me, and I kept thinking about it for a long time after reading it.
Ultramarijn has been translated in various languages, including Czech and Chinese.
Show Less
Awards
Inktaap (Nominee — 2007)
Original publication date
2003