Simon Vestdijk facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Simon Vestdijk
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 17 October 1898 Harlingen, Netherlands |
| Died | 23 March 1971 (aged 72) Utrecht |
| Occupation | Novelist Essayist Poet Translator |
| Period | 1930-1971 |
| Genre | Historical novel, Psychological novel |
| Literary movement | Modernism |
| Notable works | Back to Ina Damman, Anton Wachter Cycle [8 novels; 1934-1960], The Garden Where the Brass Band Played, De kellner en de levenden |
| Notable awards | Constantijn Huygens Prize (1955) |
Simon Vestdijk (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈsimɔɱ ˈvɛzdɛik]; 17 October 1898 – 23 March 1971) was a very important Dutch writer. He wrote many novels, poems, and essays. He was even nominated for the Nobel prize in literature fifteen times!
Who Was Simon Vestdijk?
Simon Vestdijk was born in a small town called Harlingen in the Frisian region of the Netherlands. He first studied medicine in Amsterdam. After working as a doctor for a few years, he decided to become a writer. He even spent some time working on a ship.
His Life and Work
From 1932, Simon Vestdijk made his living entirely from writing. He became one of the most important Dutch writers of the 20th century. During World War II, when Germany occupied the Netherlands, he and other Dutch thinkers were held by the Germans for a while. This happened because they did not want to join a special cultural group.
After the war, he moved to Doorn, a town in the Utrecht province. He lived there for the rest of his life.
Facing Challenges
Simon Vestdijk faced challenges with his feelings throughout his life. He experienced periods of deep sadness from his youth until he passed away.
A Prolific Writer
He was known for writing a huge number of novels. One poet even joked that "he writes quicker than God can read!" But he was also very important for his essays. These essays covered many topics like literature, religion, art, and especially music.
He also wrote a lot of poetry and short stories. His books have been translated into many different European languages. Some of his novels were even made into movies or shown on television.
See also
In Spanish: Simon Vestdijk para niños
