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.

Roads to Berlin maps the changing landscape of Germany, from the period before the fall of the Wall to the present. Written and updated over the course of several decades, an eyewitness account of the pivotal events of 1989 gives way to a perceptive appreciation of its difficult passage to reunification. Nooteboom's writings on politics, people, architecture and culture are as digressive as they are eloquent; his innate curiosity takes him through the landscapes of Heine and Goethe, steeped in Romanticism and mythology, and to Germany's baroque cities. With an outsider's objectivity he has crafted an intimate portrait of the country to its present day.

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.

Cees Nooteboom wrote the poems that make up Monk's Eye on two islands: he began them on the Dutch island of Schiermonnikoog and finished them on the Spanish island of Minorca, where he has spent summers for decades.

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.

This book describes the author's journey to visit seven of Bosch’s paintings in Lisbon, Madrid, Ghent, Rotterdam, and ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the painter’s hometown.

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.

In eight inimitable stories, Cees Nooteboom, one of the great modern novelists, meditates on love, loss and the shadow of death.