Europe · A READING GUIDE

Belgium

Simenon offers an accessible crime-fiction starting point, and Nothomb a short account of work and humiliation. Claus, Hertmans and Mortier move towards family memory and wartime experience. Verhulst portrays a childhood shaped by alcohol and domestic chaos. The selection includes French- and Dutch-language authors, so the original language does not determine the author’s country.

WHERE TO START

The Sorrow of BelgiumHugo Claus
The Flemish HouseGeorges Simenon
Fear and TremblingAmélie Nothomb

Explore the selection ↓

Books to begin with

An editorial selection · not ranked

Hugo Claus

The Sorrow of Belgium

About the book

Louis Seynaeve comes of age against the backdrop of Flemish society before and during the war.

Original title: Het verdriet van België

EnglishTranslation

The Sorrow of Belgium

Penguin Books

Edition source ↗

Georges Simenon

The Flemish House

About the book

Maigret examines a disappearance involving a Flemish family in a border town.

Original title: Chez les Flamands

EnglishTranslation

The Flemish House

Penguin Classics

Edition source ↗

Amélie Nothomb

Fear and Trembling

About the book

A Belgian employee at a Japanese company undergoes a series of professional demotions.

Original title: Stupeur et tremblements

EnglishTranslation

Fear and Trembling

St. Martin’s Press

Edition source ↗

Stefan Hertmans

War and Turpentine

About the book

A writer reconstructs his grandfather’s life, connecting his painting with the First World War.

Original title: Oorlog en terpentijn

EnglishTranslation

War and Turpentine

Vintage

Edition source ↗

PolishTranslation

Wojna i terpentyna

Marginesy

Edition source ↗

Dimitri Verhulst

The Misfortunates

About the book

Dimitri grows up in a Flemish family whose daily life revolves around alcohol and chaos.

Original title: De helaasheid der dingen

EnglishTranslation

The Misfortunates

Thomas Dunne Books

Edition source ↗

Erwin Mortier

While the Gods Were Sleeping

About the book

Elderly Helena revisits her youth and the First World War that divided her loved ones.

Original title: Godenslaap

EnglishTranslation

While the Gods Were Sleeping

Pushkin Press

Edition source ↗

Stefan Hertmans

The Ascent

About the book

The history of a Ghent house reveals a former resident’s Nazi past.

EnglishTranslation

The Ascent

Pantheon

Edition source ↗

Stefan Hertmans

The Convert

About the book

A medieval noblewoman leaves her family’s world for love and a new faith.

EnglishTranslation

The Convert

Pantheon

Edition source ↗

Context and sources

Sources on authors and their connections to this country. Specific edition details appear beside each book. Polish and English originals are not labelled as translations.