A review by vandeneeckhoutkoen
Hersenschimmen by J. Bernlef
4.0
A novel on dementia. Maarten Klein suddenly notices that part of his memories are disappearing. He cannot remember if it is morning or afternoon, he wants to go to work while he has been retired for years, and he doesn't remember who he is seeing on his own wedding pictures.
Several books on this subject exist, but the viewpoint is original and very believable. The story is told in first person, as if you were Maarten himself and constantly wondering where you have left your stuff, or who that unknown woman is, cooking in the kitchen. The story becomes more and more fragmented as his dementia gets worse and worse. Near the end, these fragments become more abstract and difficult to grasp, as Maarten is completely losing his grip on reality.
Very touching and unnerving.
Several books on this subject exist, but the viewpoint is original and very believable. The story is told in first person, as if you were Maarten himself and constantly wondering where you have left your stuff, or who that unknown woman is, cooking in the kitchen. The story becomes more and more fragmented as his dementia gets worse and worse. Near the end, these fragments become more abstract and difficult to grasp, as Maarten is completely losing his grip on reality.
Very touching and unnerving.