Gekken

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

27994

Title

Gekken

Language

nl

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in late 19th-century Europe, *Gekken* follows Johan, a Dutch artist and student of the Prix de Rome, as he navigates the turbulence of artistic ambition, shifting political ideologies, and personal isolation. The narrative shifts from the vibrant, chaotic streets of Paris and the oppressive heat of North Africa to a harrowing maritime voyage. With its introspective tone and vivid imagery, the novel explores themes of identity, the struggle against societal conformity, and the psychological impact of war and displacement.

Summary up to 500 words

In Jacobus van Looy's *Gekken*, the narrative follows Johan, a young Dutch artist who travels to Paris with a prestigious government scholarship. Initially buoyant, Johan reflects on his journey from a humble background in the Netherlands to the artistic heart of Europe. His early years are marked by intense rivalry and ideological conflicts that fracture his friendships, turning camaraderie into enmity. After a period of illness in Genoa, where he finds a strange detachment from reality, Johan travels to the exotic and chaotic landscapes of North Africa. There, he encounters a snake charmer and the vibrant life of the markets, observing the world with a sense of dreamlike alienation. The tone darkens as Johan boards a ship bound for an uncertain destination. The voyage becomes a psychological descent; the calm of the cabin gives way to the terror of a violent storm. The narrative depicts the sea transforming into a battlefield and the night into a realm of chaos. As the ship struggles against the elements, Johan's internal turmoil mirrors the external violence, leading to a profound existential crisis. He questions the nature of existence and the fragility of life against the indifferent power of nature. The novel concludes with Johan drifting in a state of delirium. He questions the nature of existence and the fragility of life against the indifferent power of nature. The story explores themes of artistic ambition, the corrosive nature of rivalry, and the ultimate insignificance of human struggle against the vast, uncaring forces of the universe. Through surreal imagery and a descent into madness, van Looy presents a harrowing portrait of a man losing his grip on reality amidst the beauty and terror of the natural world.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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data/epubs/pg27994.epub

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2026-07-05 19:51 UTC

Categories

• Dutch Literature