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Document Details : Title: Een Siamese tweeling Author(s): VAN KALMTHOUT, Ton Journal: Spiegel der Letteren Volume: 52 Issue: 4 Date: 2010 Pages: 457-468 DOI: 10.2143/SDL.52.4.2059884 Abstract : This article discusses the recently published historical overview of Dutch nineteenth century literature Alles is taal geworden [‘All is language now’]. The two authors of the book present nineteenth century Dutch literature as essentially divided into a northern and a southern (Flemish) part. Each of them deals with just one of these parts, but the authors achieve consistency in their exposés by means of a similar approach in each corresponding chapter. More specifically, they always focus on poetics, reception history, literary institutions, and individual writers. With this multifocal approach, the authors to some extent reject the view of nineteenth century Dutch literature that has become generally accepted ever since the emergence of the generation of the Tachtigers [‘Eightiers’]. The present article provides an alternative for the authors’ view on the development of literary sociability and orality, two factors that have been crucial according to them. The reviewer’s conclusion is that they have written a many-sided book that may give rise to some discussion, but commands our respect. |
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