Here are five tearjerkers from East Flanders:
- “De Smet” by Ernest Claes
This novel is set in the small village of Hamme, East Flanders, during the First World War. It tells the story of a young boy named Louis who is forced to take care of his family after his father goes off to fight. The novel is a moving and poignant portrait of the effects of war on ordinary people.
- “Het Goudvisje” by Anna Enquist
This novel is set in Ghent, East Flanders, and tells the story of a woman named Marie who is haunted by the memory of her childhood friend, who died in a concentration camp during the Second World War. The novel is a powerful exploration of guilt, memory, and forgiveness.
- “De Kinderen van het Verzet” by Walter van den Broeck
This novel is set in Antwerp, East Flanders, during the Second World War. It tells the story of a group of children who are involved in the Belgian resistance movement. The novel is a thrilling and suspenseful adventure story that also explores the themes of courage, friendship, and patriotism.
- “Het Verdriet van België” by Hugo Claus
This novel is set in Ghent, East Flanders, and tells the story of a family of Flemish collaborators during the Second World War. The novel is a complex and controversial work that examines the historical and political issues of Flanders.
- “Het Witte Huis” by Annelies Verbeke
This novel is set in a small village in East Flanders, and tells the story of a group of women who are forced to live together in a convent after their husbands are killed during the First World War. The novel is a moving and poignant portrait of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.