Cees Nooteboom Books

An exceptionally current volume of poems from one of Europe's greatest poets that dwell on the most pressing reality of our times: the coronavirus pandemic. One of the leading living European writers, Cees Nooteboom never shies away from contemporary issues. His latest collection of poems, Leaving, begins in a garden with descriptions of Mediterranean plants, but what emerges are memories of the war--images of a distant past that have never disappeared. The poems take another turn when, unexpectedly, a mysterious virus takes control of the world and turns life upside down. A collection that can be read as a single poem, in which desolation and beauty, past and future, nostalgia and mortality all merge to represent the most mature work of a great poet. German artist Max Neumann's haunting images that accompany the poems work as complex visual metaphors that further underline the beauty and the gravity of the poems. Together, they make for a delicate and thoughtful read.

Originally published in 2019, this work delves into the intricate relationship between Venice, its iconic lion symbol, and the surrounding waters. It explores the city's rich history, cultural significance, and the unique interplay between its architecture and the aquatic environment. The narrative offers insights into Venice's evolution, capturing the essence of a city that has captivated artists, historians, and travelers for centuries.

Exploring the life of the mind, Cees Nooteboom delves into the interconnectedness of literature, music, art, travel, and gardening. His reflections offer a rich tapestry of insights that celebrate creativity and the human experience, inviting readers to consider the profound impact of these elements on personal growth and understanding. Through his unique perspective, Nooteboom emphasizes the importance of cultural and artistic engagement in shaping one's worldview.

The great Dutch author and traveller Cees Nooteboom (author of Roads to Santiago and The Following Story) sheds new light on the city, its history and its treasures

533 days in the life of a great writer, reflecting on his immediate surroundings on the island of Menorca, on literature, global affairs and his place in the universe.

Amsterdam of the 50s, 60s and 70s is viewed from the perspective of Inni Wintrop, a man who leads a capricious life, floating comfortably on open possibilities.

A many-tangented pilgrimage through ten centuries of Spain's history, its politics, its art, literature and architecture, its climate and its people, in which Nooteboom unlocks doors to an undiscovered Spain and reveals his obsession for a country he has come to know intimately over the course of forty years.

After making his first voyage as a sailor - to earn his passage from his native Holland to South America - Cees Nooteboom has never stopped travelling. This is a collection of his most remarkable travel pieces.

A profound and searching novel from one of Europe's major contemporary writers

Socrates is a former classics teacher at a lycee. Dr Strabon is a travel writer and Mussert is a misanthrope, but also the man behind the masks of these other incongruous alter egos. In this novel, Nooteboom illustrates the polarities and similarities of scientific reality and philosophical theory.