Hold Fast Network
22047588_10159432927830002_374542206_o-1.jpg

Sherds Podcast

Sherds Podcast is a journey through the outskirts of literary history. Each episode, we take an in-depth look at a lesser-known literary text and attempt to give it the critical attention it deserves: books that are criminally overlooked, have struggled to reach an anglophone audience, or are just downright odd. Hosted by Sam Pulham and Rob Prouse.

#13 The Dying Peasant by Karel van de Woestijne

Sherds13.jpg

Karel van de Woestijne’s novella, ‘The Dying Peasant’, was originally published in Dutch in 1918.  It is now available for the first time in an unabridged translation by Paul Vincent, published by Snuggly Books.   The book concerns an elderly farmer, Nand, who lies on his deathbed and is visited by five figures, each representing the one of the five senses.  As the fragmentary reflections occasioned by these sensory avatars tell the rich story of Nand’s life, van de Woestijne evokes a deep reverence for the surface of things, and the simplicity and beauty of ordinary life. 

LiteratureSam Pulhamkarelvandewoestijne, snugglybooks, symbolism, dutchliterature, flemishliterature, walterthys, paulvincent, michielscharpé, flandersliterature, flemishliteraturefund, ww1, sensualism