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The Tooth of Time

A.F.Th. van der Heijden · 1983

About this book

advancedmemorytimelossidentityexistentialism

The opening volume of Van der Heijdens monumental cycle "The Tandeloze Tijd" follows a young man from a Catholic village in Brabant to the Amsterdam squatter scene of the 1980s. It is a sprawling portrait of Dutch postwar social change, from provincial conservatism to urban counterculture.

Why read this for language learning

"The Tooth of Time" is a profound read for advanced Dutch learners, part of a monumental literary cycle. Van der Heijden's rich, intricate prose challenges readers with complex sentence structures and a vast, sophisticated vocabulary related to memory, philosophy, and personal history. It offers deep cultural insights into Dutch intellectual life and the exploration of existential themes, providing a demanding yet rewarding literary experience. This book is ideal for learners seeking to master advanced Dutch comprehension and engage with a significant contemporary Dutch literary voice.

Vocabulary you will encounter

memory and recollectionphilosophical conceptsexistential questionsurban life (Nijmegen)personal relationshipsliterary allusionspsychological depth

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