Describe Books Supposing Hersenschimmen
| Original Title: | Hersenschimmen |
| ISBN: | 9021451816 (ISBN13: 9789021451817) |
| Edition Language: | Dutch |
| Characters: | Maarten Klein, Vera Klein |
| Setting: | Gloucester, Massachusetts(United States) |
J. Bernlef
Hardcover | Pages: 160 pages Rating: 3.87 | 8325 Users | 355 Reviews
Commentary Conducive To Books Hersenschimmen
Maarten Klein verliest langzaam maar zeker zijn greep op de werkelijkheid. Hij kan heden en verleden niet meer onderscheiden, wil plotseling weer naar zijn werk en ziet zijn echtgenote voor een vreemde aan. 'Achter me in de deuropening staat een vrouw. Haar bruine haar valt met een lok schuin naar rechts over haar voorhoofd. [...] Ze houdt me in de gaten.' Meer nog dan een verhaal over dementie is Hersenschimmen een liefdesgeschiedenis, met een overmijdelijk tragisch einde.
Present About Books Hersenschimmen
| Title | : | Hersenschimmen |
| Author | : | J. Bernlef |
| Book Format | : | Hardcover |
| Book Edition | : | Deluxe Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 160 pages |
| Published | : | 1985 by Querido (first published 1984) |
| Categories | : | European Literature. Dutch Literature. Literature. Fiction |
Rating About Books Hersenschimmen
Ratings: 3.87 From 8325 Users | 355 ReviewsCommentary About Books Hersenschimmen
Memory, one could say, is our psychological cornerstone: it defines who we are and will become. It allows us to function with coherency in everday life. But what happens when memory becomes unreliable, or worse, deteriorates?'Out of Mind' ('Hersenschimmen' in the original Dutch) is an examination of that idea. It charts the mental decline of Maarten, a 71-year-old Dutch expat living in the US with his wife and dog.Bernlef's novel depicts with raw brutality the process of dementia. It isI notice, while trying to come up with words to describe my feelings towards this story, that I just don't know the words to describe what I felt while reading it. I got goosebumps, that's for sure, and I felt sad and scared. After I finished it, I just sat with the book in my lap, staring into the void and also at my boyfriend. I can't imagine losing the memories we built together. I can't imagine not being able to recognise him anymore. With that I'd kind of lose my whole life. And that's
The first question would be: Is it sensible/fair/worthwhile/fruitful to write a book from the inner perspective of dementia as an outsider, an imagining of what it might feel like?The second question would be: Does it matter if the representation is true to the disease?--A few months ago I saw the film Still Alice, which dealt with the same topic, and unfolded in somewhat the same way as Bernlef's Hersenschimmen (Out of Mind). It was based on a book that similarly dealt with dementia/Alzheimer's
Written from the point of view of a retired professional in his seventies, this book provides a real sense of dementia from the insidethe loss not only of personal memory but of ones sense of direction and time. A brisk, well-written read.
I don't know what to think about this book. It's good and I liked the way the author told the story but it did not grab my attention as much as I expected it to do. I've only read a few books in Dutch literature but I think this is the best one yet. I would recommend it because it's an easy read and the story is beautiful
A story about a Dutch man, living in the US, suffering dementia. The dementia in this book is progressing very fast. From forgetfulness till hospitalization in only a few weeks time. I am not sure if that's possible. In any case, we see the world as the man sees is. He is getting more and more confused about what is happening. He doesn't know day from night or what day of the week it is. Every page his state deteriorates further. To me it seems very realistic, even though no one knows what
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