Rituals (novel)
 First edition (Dutch) | |
| Author | Cees Nooteboom |
|---|---|
| Original title | Rituelen |
| Translator | Adrienne Dixon |
| Language | Dutch |
| Publisher | De Arbeiderspers |
Publication date | 1980 |
| Publication place | Netherlands |
Published in English | 1983 |
| Pages | 189 |
| ISBN | 90-295-3262-9 |
Rituals (Dutch: Rituelen) is a 1980 novel by Dutch writer Cees Nooteboom.
The novel's narrative follows two friends, one who breaks rules frequently and one who follows them strictly. It was Nooteboom's first novel in 17 years. After finishing The Knight Has Died (1963), he had worked as a journalist, written poetry, and traveled around the world, "looking for something to write about".[1]
Rituals won the Ferdinand Bordewijk Prize[2] and the Pegasus Prize. It was published in an English translation in 1983 by Louisiana State University Press, which also published English translations of other works by Nooteboom through 1990.
The novel was adapted as a 1988 French-language film with the same title, directed by Herbert Curiel.[3]
Plot summary
Amsterdam, 1963: The novel begins with Inni Wintrop, a disillusioned and aimless man in his early thirties, living in Amsterdam. He is adrift in life, working as a translator and struggling to find meaning. Inni's life is marked by a series of failed relationships and a sense of detachment from the world around him. He becomes involved with a woman named Zita, but their relationship is strained and ultimately unfulfilling. Inni's existential crisis deepens as he reflects on the emptiness of his existence and the repetitive, ritualistic nature of daily life.
Amsterdam, 1973: The second part of the novel jumps forward ten years. Inni is now in his early forties and still grappling with the same existential questions. He encounters a wealthy, eccentric businessman named Arnold Taads, who lives a highly structured and ritualized life. Taads represents a stark contrast to Inni's chaotic and aimless existence. Taads's life is governed by strict routines and rituals, which he believes give his life order and meaning. Inni is both fascinated and repelled by Taads's worldview, and their interactions force him to confront his own lack of purpose. Despite his rigid self-discipline, Arnold is deeply unhappy and ultimately takes his own life.
Amsterdam, 1979: The final part of the novel takes place six years later. Inni is now in his late forties and has become increasingly isolated. Arnold’s estranged son, who, in contrast to his father, embraces Eastern philosophy and asceticism. He isolates himself in a world of tea ceremonies and Zen-like contemplation, rejecting modern society. However, his extreme detachment leads him to an equally tragic fate. Inni reflects on the passage of time and the inevitability of death. Inni's life is still marked by a sense of disconnection, but he begins to find a kind of peace in accepting the rituals and routines that structure human existence. The novel ends on a contemplative note, with Inni acknowledging the cyclical nature of life and the role that rituals play in providing a sense of continuity and meaning.
Reception
The novel was praised by critics. It won the Ferdinand Bordewijk Prize[2] and the Pegasus Prize.
Adaptations
- A 1988 French-language feature film by the same title was adapted from this novel. It was directed by Herbert Curiel.[4] and starred Derek de Lint.
See also
References
- ^ Wroe, Nicholas (2006-03-25). "Journeys of the mind". The Guardian. Retrieved 2012-03-03.
- ^ a b "F. Bordewijk-prijs". letterkundigmuseum.nl (in Dutch). Nederlands Letterkundig Museum. Archived from the original on 2015-01-18. Retrieved 2012-03-03.
- ^ "Cees Nooteboom". evene.fr (in French). Evene. Retrieved 2012-03-03.
- ^ "Cees Nooteboom". evene.fr (in French). Evene. Retrieved 2012-03-03.