Dutch book clubs aren’t just about nodding along to discussions of Mulisch or Hermans. If you want to avoid sounding like a tourist who memorised 50 basic words, you’ll need to sharpen your literary Dutch. Here’s how.
Essential vocabulary for literary discussions
Stijlfiguren
/ˈstɛi̯l.fɪˌɣy.rə(n)/“Stylistic devices”
Rhetorical devices like metaphors, alliteration, or irony. Drop this when analysing prose: 'De stijlfiguren hier versterken de dreiging.'
Motief
/moːˈtif/“Motif”
Recurring thematic element. Use it like: 'Het motief van water symboliseert reiniging.'
Botsing der karakters
/ˈbɔt.sɪŋ dɛr ˈkaː.rɑk.tərs/“Clash of characters”
Dutch critics love pointing out character conflicts. 'De botsing tussen Anna en haar vader drijft de plot.'
How to disagree without being rude
- Use softening phrases: 'Ik begrijp je punt, maar...' ('I see your point, but...') beats 'Dat is onzin' ('That’s nonsense').
- Cite the text: 'Op pagina 42 zegt de verteller expliciet...' shuts down vague interpretations.
- Channel Dutch directness without aggression: 'Die interpretatie lijkt me niet onderbouwd' ('That interpretation seems unsupported').
Authors you should reference (and how)
| Author | Why mention them? | Example line |
|---|---|---|
| Harry Mulisch | Dutch literary giant. Safe bet. | 'Mulisch’ gebruik van historische parallellen is typisch.' |
| Annie M.G. Schmidt | Children’s author, but culturally significant. | 'Schmidts werk lijkt simpel, maar heeft maatschappijkritiek.' |
| Gerard Reve | Controversial but respected. | 'Reves religieuze symboliek is complex, niet gratuit.' |
Don’t fake expertise. If you haven’t read an author, say 'Ik ken zijn werk niet goed genoeg' ('I don’t know their work well enough'). Bullshitting gets spotted fast.
Cultural landmines to avoid
- Calling Dutch literature 'provincial'. They’re sensitive about being seen as small-scale.
- Assuming all Dutch writers are like Anne Frank. Yes, she’s famous abroad. No, she’s not the only one worth discussing.
- Overpraising mediocre translations. If the Dutch version of a foreign book sucks, say so: 'De vertaling voelt stroef' ('The translation feels clunky').
Practical tips
- Read at least one book in Dutch per club meeting. Skimming English summaries won’t cut it.
- Note key quotes. Dutch discussions often revolve around specific passages, not general impressions.
- Practise saying 'Dat hangt ervan af' ('It depends'). Dutch love nuanced positions.
- Learn to pronounce author names correctly. 'Hella Haasse' is /ˈɦɛ.laː ˈɦaː.sə/, not 'Hella Hass'.
For more Dutch cultural insights, see our guide on proverbs that make you sound wise.
