Landscape with Rowers: Poetry from the Netherlands

by J.M. Coetzee (Editor)

Though the Netherlands has been the site of vigorous literary activity since at least the Beweging van Vijftig (Movement of the Fifties) poets, the status of Dutch as a "minor" language spoken by only twenty-two million people has kept its rich poetry more or less a secret. This volume--featuring J. M. Coetzee's finely wrought English translations side-by-side with the originals--brings the work of six of the most important modern and contemporary Dutch poets to light.


Ranging in style from the rhetorical to the intensely lyrical, the work here includes examples of myth-influenced modernist verse, nature poetry, experimental poetry, poems conscious of themselves within a pan-European avant-garde, and Cees Nooteboom's uncompromising reflections on the powers and limitations of art. In addition to Nooteboom, the poets represented are Gerrit Achterberg, Hugo Claus, Sybren Polet, Hans Faverey, and Rutger Kopland--a who's who of contemporary Dutch poetry.


In Youth , Coetzee's main character claims that "of all nations the Dutch are the dullest, the most antipoetic." With these marvelous translations, the author proves his protagonist wrong.

Genres: Poetry

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

J. M. Coetzee is a South African writer, essayist, and translator, widely regarded as one of the most influential authors of contemporary literature. His works, often characterized by their austere prose and profound moral and philosophical depth, explore themes of colonialism, identity, power, and human suffering. Born and raised in South Africa, he later became an Australian citizen and has lived in Adelaide since 2002.
Coetzee’s breakthrough novel, Waiting for the Barbarians (1980), established him as a major literary voice, while Life & Times of Michael K (1983) won him the first of his two Booker Prizes. His best-known work, Disgrace (1999), a stark and unsettling examination of post-apartheid South Africa, secured his second Booker Prize, making him the first author to win the award twice. His other notable novels include Foe, Age of Iron, The Master of Petersburg, Elizabeth Costello, and The Childhood of Jesus, many of which incorporate allegorical and metafictional elements.
Beyond fiction, Coetzee has written numerous essays and literary critiques, contributing significantly to discussions on literature, ethics, and history. His autobiographical trilogy—Boyhood, Youth, and Summertime—blends memoir with fiction, offering a fragmented yet insightful reflection on his own life. His literary achievements were recognized with the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2003.
A deeply private individual, Coetzee avoids public life and rarely gives interviews, preferring to let his work speak for itself.

Reviews

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps looking on the Internet nowadays you'll find many translations of Dutch poetry, but I couldn't seem to see to many anthologies in print form, which is lamentable. Very much enjoyed these, I've yet to master the original Dutch, but the opening poem Ballad of the Gasfitter by Gerrit Achterberg is staying with me, reading of his life.. this is an interesting selection that provokes further inquiry.

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Are there really no women writing poetry in the Netherlands? Somehow I doubt it. This anthology would lead you to think so, though.

[Anca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this, and was especially comforted by the paintings at the end of the volume given the current climate. But I was irritated that there wasn't a single female poet in the anthology. Boo. Do better.

[Jack Caulfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dutch poetry with English translations by the ever-brilliant Coetzee. A really fascinating selection of poems, most of them long and boldly experimental. Sybren Polet's Zelfrepeterend gedicht, Hans Faverey's "Aan de vaas" and Rutger Kopland's Afdaling op klaarlichte dag particularly unforgettable. Highly recommended.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting collection printed side-by-side with the original poems--much of it quite complex and beautiful. It's unusual to find poetry of the Netherlands translated into English and published in the U.S.

[Jim Agustin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this a long time ago. It was too... clean for my taste, almost cold. Worth reading though just to get a taste of the writing from the Netherlands. Beautifully put together. I was hoping to be enthralled instead of just set upon mostly calm waters.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fine thing that Coetzee selected a fine flower of Dutch poetry for this album, and translated the poems more than adequate, sometimes with implicite glimpses of interpretation, which helped me - I am a Dutchman - understand them. JM

[Al · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful collection that provides a good introduction to Dutch poets of the last century. Rutger Kopland's "Descent in Broad Daylight" is exceptionally beautiful and touching. Gerrit Achterberg's "Ballad of the Gasfitter" feels like a Dylan or Baez song of the '50's/early '60's.

[Erik Raschke · Rating 4 out of 5]

An author can never overcome his/her ego. Some beautiful translations, some wonderful selections, some step closer to Coetzee than the poet.