Lodewijk van Deyssel (1864–1952)

This book isn't for everyone. Perhaps it's more enjoyable if you are familiar with the time period and the work of people the author was writing about.

The book has interesting views about literature and the author had very strong opinions about his craft. He even discarded work of previous centuries, lauded as great works of art.

No matter if you agree with the author or not, he explains his views with humour and good arguments.

A number of essays presenting the new literary aesthetics of the movement of the 'Tachtigers' to the Dutch public. Van Deyssel defends the Naturalism of Zola and the Goncourts in a very eloquent way. This book is essential to the understanding of literary life in late 19th century Holland.