In a small Dutch town, an all male reading club invite Father Antonius to speak at their tenth anniversary celebration. Father Antonius has written an autobiography based on his secret diaries and the life he describes is far from being a life of devotion. While his controversial book upsets the church, it intrigues the reading public. Before agreeing to speak at the Dutch reading club, Antonius sets a task for the men, he asks them to write in private journals before collating their stories into an Anniversary book to be shared with the group. The men struggle to get started, finding the exploration of their inner worlds a challenge. Gradually they give themselves over to the task, revealing long hidden pain, desires, fears and hopes. The final pieces, to be drawn together in the group's Anniversary book, reveal countless secrets, which will change the group forever. 'Confessions of a Dutch Reading Club' is a pertinent examination of the male psyche. Each member of the reading group, as carefully constructed by Patricia Van Stratum, reflects issues deeply relevant today, from the lasting influence of a seminary education, to child abuse within the catholic church, to headline grabbing topics like alcohol abuse. This is a book to entertain and provoke, and one in which we meet memorable, yet familiar, characters.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The title might not tickle your fancy; but don't let that put you off.
Confessions of a Dutch Reading Club is the work of first time author Patricia van Stratum who has penned an unusual tale about a group of middle-aged Dutch folk and surprisingly, it works.
When the reading club members are asked by a controversial priest to keep a journal and write a piece for a commemorative 10th Anniversary Book, they set about the task with trepidation.
As each man begins to jot down his thoughts and feelings, he lays bare some of the more colourful aspects to his character, not to mention exposing hidden fetishes, painful pasts and insecurities.
Van Stratum does an excellent job of bringing the reading club members to life with her descriptive narrative, and despite none of the characters being very appealing, they are interesting by virtue of their peculiarities.
Confessions of a Dutch Reading Club describes itself as: `essential reading for anyone interested in the group behaviour of the middle-aged male, the sociology of an average Dutch town and the marks left by a rigorous Catholic education,' but that's not strictly true.
Because if you've lived among the Dutch, or in any small town, and if you've experienced the petty politics of any kind of local club then you could identify with, and enjoy reading this.
So avoid the temptation to judge this book by its drab front cover because Confessions of a Dutch Reading Club is a well-written tale and a nosey peek at the foibles and eccentricities of the small town Dutch male.
Confessions of a Dutch Reading Club is the work of first time author Patricia van Stratum who has penned an unusual tale about a group of middle-aged Dutch folk and surprisingly, it works.
When the reading club members are asked by a controversial priest to keep a journal and write a piece for a commemorative 10th Anniversary Book, they set about the task with trepidation.
As each man begins to jot down his thoughts and feelings, he lays bare some of the more colourful aspects to his character, not to mention exposing hidden fetishes, painful pasts and insecurities.
Van Stratum does an excellent job of bringing the reading club members to life with her descriptive narrative, and despite none of the characters being very appealing, they are interesting by virtue of their peculiarities.
Confessions of a Dutch Reading Club describes itself as: `essential reading for anyone interested in the group behaviour of the middle-aged male, the sociology of an average Dutch town and the marks left by a rigorous Catholic education,' but that's not strictly true.
Because if you've lived among the Dutch, or in any small town, and if you've experienced the petty politics of any kind of local club then you could identify with, and enjoy reading this.
So avoid the temptation to judge this book by its drab front cover because Confessions of a Dutch Reading Club is a well-written tale and a nosey peek at the foibles and eccentricities of the small town Dutch male.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Mrs V
Format:Paperback
It is not very often I start a book a get that 'greed to read' feeling.
This book is so beautifully written, creating wonderful images for me as I read.
The 'characters', and that they are, of the reading group are mysterious, interesting and quirky providing me with intrigue and giggles along the way.
The ending provoked thought and a little tear.
I hope the author provides more on these great characters and their antics, can't wait.
This book is so beautifully written, creating wonderful images for me as I read.
The 'characters', and that they are, of the reading group are mysterious, interesting and quirky providing me with intrigue and giggles along the way.
The ending provoked thought and a little tear.
I hope the author provides more on these great characters and their antics, can't wait.
By Perry
Format:Paperback
The title in truth put me off. It reminded me of the cheap Brit flicks from the 70's but having got past that, I was pleasantly surprised.
Some of the characters in this small Dutch town had little redeeming qualities buy the author brought humor and pathos to their secret lives, hopes, fears and fetishes. There was always a senses of what would be revealed or concealed next by this mixed group from the Reading Club.
The story moves along at a good pace and the structure is easy and cleverly held together by the central character of Father Antonius. There are no hero's in this book but it is an honest account into the minds of middle aged men, so kudos to the first time author Patricia van Stratum for her incites.
Some of the characters in this small Dutch town had little redeeming qualities buy the author brought humor and pathos to their secret lives, hopes, fears and fetishes. There was always a senses of what would be revealed or concealed next by this mixed group from the Reading Club.
The story moves along at a good pace and the structure is easy and cleverly held together by the central character of Father Antonius. There are no hero's in this book but it is an honest account into the minds of middle aged men, so kudos to the first time author Patricia van Stratum for her incites.
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