Gerbrand Bakker

Knecht, alleen is the second volume of autobiography by Gerbrand Bakker published in the prestigious Prive Domein series, a book series which was previously exclusively for ego documents by (dead) authors. While previously the editions could exist of inedited materials, they were usually selected reprints of published ego documents such as diaries or correspondence. However, for the past 25 years, the series includes ego documents of living authors, including diaries which were specifically written for inclusion in the series. In fact, the author writes about that on page 254, where he reports a discussion with Arjen Visser, who objects that present-day volumes in the Prive Domein series claiming authors write them for publication, and that they are therefore not as good as before. Elsewhere, they point out that this was first the case with A.F.Th. van der Heijden's volume Engelenplaque, and in my opinion, similarly Japin's diaries, which were both very substandard publications, particularly within the Prive Domein series.

On page 155 Bakker writes that he hasn't written a novel in 10 years'time. One of the main themes of Knecht, alleen is that the author has been depressed and is on permanent medication to suppress his depression. It is quite remarkable, even in his own observation, that he manages to keep doing some work, which on page 155 he describes as dabbling. This seems to accurately qualify this book.

Knecht, alleen is not a cheerful book. Bakker writes it could be better understood after reading the first volume. In spite of his depression, Knecht, alleen offers a comprehensive look into the author's working life and the Dutch literary scene. At the same time, large parts of the book are rather uninteresting fillers, such as the descriptions of Bakker's second home in the German Eiffel region.… (més)