Delusions of the mind

Author's name: Bernulf

“Bernulf brings such intensity to the telling of this brilliant and harrowing tale that we feel like accompanying Martin in his decline, not as observers, but as participants in his tragedy.” – Anita Desai, The New York Times

“Martin’s mind seeps out, slowly, and finally dissolves… Burnlef’s account of this terrible journey is so moving, you can’t tear yourself away from it at all.” – Harold Pinter

“A terrifying, powerful little novel” – The Sunday Times

identification

This intimate and moving novel about the dramatic decline of an elderly man suffering from Alzheimer's disease draws its power from the man's unique and remarkable narrative voice. For this reason, it remains one of the most widely read novels in Dutch literature, having sold more than 750,000 copies, been translated into numerous languages, and even been adapted into a film.

Septuagenarian Martin Klein initially lives with his wife in Massachusetts, albeit with a clear, if weary, mind. Born in the Netherlands, they endured the Nazi occupation before emigrating to the United States, where Martin worked for a naval organization. While Martin has long considered himself a social "marginal figure," with an unspectacular family life, he possesses remarkable powers of observation and perception, even as his health deteriorates. He notes helplessly, "I seem to be losing words like someone loses blood," and resolves, "I will invent a life for myself from minute to minute and believe it." Ultimately, however, he comes to the conclusion that he is "the only surviving child of my language."

Barnliffe has written a dark and profound novel about irreversible loss: the loss of self, language, relationships, and memories, yet Martin's voice at the end of the novel suggests hope.

About the author

Brønlev (1937–2012) wrote a wide range of works, including poems, short stories, novels, and essays. He translated the Scandinavian poets Lars Gustafsson and Tomas Tranströmer into Dutch and was an editor of literary journals. He received numerous awards. His most famous novel, Mind Games (1984), sold over 750,000 copies, was adapted into a feature film, and has been translated into numerous languages.