War Winter Hunger Winter

I was twelve years old when the last winter of World War II began. It was a winter that would be carved deep into my memory and soul. When our oldest daughter was twelve, she and the other children wanted to know what it had been like, that war that the adults were still talking about. I then wrote the book war winter. Most of the events described in it actually took place, but the names of people and places are made up and the locations are not exactly correct either. Among the ferries over the IJssel, don't exactly look for the Koppelse Veer with the baroness's white house, there is some fantasy of mine. Don't think that De Vlank is identical with Wezep and Vlankerbroek with Hattemerbroek, but the differences are not big either. I wanted to write a novel, with a strong historical charge, but not a history book. There is a lot to be found in the texts and illustrations for the cycle route with which the text of Oorlogswinter has a strong affinity. I have noticed, certainly also because of the many reactions to the book, that everyone has experienced their own war. Those who lived in the part of the Netherlands covered by the cycle route will probably recognize a lot of their war in War Winter. I can imagine that a trek through places of remembrance brings the poignant period close again.

Jan Terlouw