Suggested reading (novels, first person nonfiction, etc.) set in Netherlands or Germany
 

I like to read some novels and nonfiction set in the countries we visit. Next destinations are the Netherlands and Germany. Examples: Diary of Anne Frank, The Girl with the Pearl Earring. What else would suggest?

The Girl with the Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier takes place in Delft in the 17th Century. It's about Vermeer and his famous painting byt t he same name, told from the point of view of the young woman who posed for it. Fabulous.

Oops! You've already read that one! Sorry. <BR> <BR>We were in Amsterdam last month and went to the Rijksmuseum to see the Vermeers. I was so captivated, byt the art and by the novel. that I've just purchased "Vermeer, A View of Delft" by Anthony Bailey. I'll let you know if it's any good.

here is another one, it is "Tulip Fever" <BR>by Debroah Moggach <BR>I would like to read some books on the natural history of the Netherlands does anyone, have any suggestions? <BR>

The Van der Valk mysteries by Nicholas Freeling, and police/detective stories by Janwillem Van de Wetering are based in the Netherlands. <BR> <BR>For Germany, all I can think of is Elizabeth and her German garden, by Elizabeth von Arnim, or Philip Kerr's novels.

Another vote for "Tulip Fever," and a recommendation for "The Golden Tulip" by Rosalind Laker. Both are set in the 17th century. For "The Golden Tulip" you may need to check it out of the library as it is out of print.

Hello Kay, <BR> <BR>I would suggest "Buddenbrocks" by Thomas Mann. It`s about a very wealthy family in Hamburg, portrayed over several generations. One of my favourite books is (Sorry, I don`t know the English title, maybe someone else can help here) "Es muss nicht immer Kaviar sein" by Johannes-Mario Simmel. It`s about a German born Londoner who gets in trouble with different secret services during WW2. Written with humour without missing on the sad facts of war. <BR>Another classic "Die Blechtrommel" by Günther Grass, again I don`t know the English translation. <BR>If you specify how you expect the novel to be (love, crime, history etc.) <BR>I`m sure I can help you further. <BR> <BR>Kind regards <BR> <BR>Miriam

Wow! Thanks for the quick and on-target responses. I always start with my local and university libraries. I will read any type of book if well written--mystery, romance, first-hand nonfiction. They all make the info from the guidebooks and history books come alive. <BR> <BR>Before my trip to England last year I read some Dick Francis mysteries and some stories about various members of the royal family, for example and the Tower of London and the villages in the Cotswolds came much more alive for me.

A terrific book I just finished is Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland. It's a series of stories about the owners of a fictional Vermeer painting, starting with the present and going back to its beginning.

Kay, <BR>I have recently fallen in love with the works of Alexandre Dumas and he wrote a book called "The Black Tulip". It is about a tulip grower who is trying to create the perfect tulip for a contest. The story tells of the crazy events that lead up to the contest. I loved it!

The Tin Drum by Grass is difficult but certainly worthwhile. Ditto Thomas Mann <BR>Try anything by Heinrich Boll (spelt with o Umlaut), which is a lot more accessible. Try the short stories or the early novels (as well as Katharina Blum about German terrorism in the 70's). <BR>I personally love Heinrich Heine (he wrote the poem about the Loreley). <BR> <BR>What kind of books are you interested in?

The English title of the Simmel book that Miriam recommended is "It Can't Always Be Caviar." It's not very easy to find in the US, but a university library might have it. The Grass book she recommends is "The Tin Drum," which Ingrid also recommends and is a classic and should be easy to find. <BR> <BR>Of course, German literature is pretty vast -- it depends upon what kind of book you like. If you want to bathe in German romanticism, try Goethe's "The Sorrows of Young Werther." <BR> <BR>For the Netherlands, "The Assault" by Harry Mulisch is a fascinating morality tale about collaboration and integrity during the German occupation and in more recent times. <BR> <BR>

Again, thanks for the help. Thus far I found Tulip Fever and Golden Tulip at my local libary--just finished them both. Really gave me the descriptions of history, atmosphere, and life that will bring those towns in the Netherlands more to life when I visit in December. <BR> <BR>I will continue to look for the others you have all so kindly suggested. As we are going to former East Germany, I think I will look for a biography of Martin Luther or related works to better appreciate the history of some of the towns we will visit there. <BR>

Xenophobe's Guide to the Germans. It is cheap, good, really funny and true. If there is one for the Dutch I do not know.

For a somewhat tongue in cheek look at Dutch quirks, character and customs check out The Undutchables. see www.undutchables.com

I second the suggestion (Ingrid's) of Heinrich Boll's short stories. They are totally engrossing and extremely well written (even translated into English).

Kay, <BR>For the Netherlands, look for two books by Simon Schama, both brilliantly evocative of the times they cover: "The Embarassment of Riches" and "Rembrandt's Eyes". Two others to look for are "Of Dutch Ways" by Helen Colijn and "Of Dikes and Windmills" written and illustrated by Peter Spier. Both are, I'm sure, out of print and Spier's book will probably be found in the children's section of a library, although its contents and his writing style are equally appealing to adults. <BR> <BR>Colijn's book captures the everyday life of the Dutch (it even includes a few recipes, Stoofpeertjes for one. Spier's traces the long and valiant battle of the Dutch against the sea.

I guess it would come under the heading of Biography. The story of a Dutch family who hid Jews during WWII: "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom.

Van de Wetering, Van de Wetering, Van de Wetering (Dutch)--fantastic.

I second The Girl in Hyacinth Blue. <BR>However, I don't think Maura has finished it yet; it is not until the very end that you find out the true origin of the painting! <BR>