Dutch classic set in Amsterdam – Gerard Reve

Submitted: 14th March 2025

The Evenings Gerard Reve

A classic read of Dutch literature they told me. Everyone reads this in the days leading up to New Year in the Netherlands as it’s set at that time of year. It’s said to be a Dutch classic so in I went……

(In English, my Dutch isn’t that good yet)

Map of locations in The Evenings

The Evenings Gerard Reve

BOARDING PASS INFORMATION

Destination :

Author guide:

Genre:

Food and drink to accompany:

POSTCARD-1

#Bookreview

@thebooktrailer

A novel to transport you to Amsterdam

Map of literary locations in The Evenings

Honesty here. I have no idea why this novel is popular. I don’t often post negativity on the blog but this was a novel I really didn’t get. A man wanders the streets of Amsterdam thinking about his life. He does his office job every day and although doesn’t’ complain as such, it’s mundane and boring. However, it keeps him busy. It’s when he is on his own in the evenings and weekends that boredom and depression start to creep in. He does live with his parents though and observes them through minute detail.

I wanted to read this as it was written two years after the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, and only three since the “Hunger Winter” of 1944 when 18,000 people died of starvation. No mention of that in the novel although the hunger and desolation in the story is sure to be a reflection of that.

It’s very depressing and very slow so wasn’t for me. But I’m glad I read it – I understand more about this book and its place in Dutch literature and history.