On Thursday 27 March, Hans Maarten van den Brink, author of the originally Dutch novella, On the Water visited Leander Club to talk about his book. The talk was well attended by more than 50 people. All those who attended enjoyed a delicious finger buffet in the beautiful dining room at Leander Club overlooking the River Thames.
Hans Maarten van den Brink travelled from the Netherlands to give this talk after having been requested specifically by Dick Lester, the President of the Leander Club, because this rowing book was his all-time favourite. Many of those attending complimented Hans Maarten on his eloquent writing style and were so excited to meet the author. During the evening, four copies of Hans Maarten’s book were auctioned for the Leander Trust and raised £330.
On the Water is a short novella which was initially published in 1998 and has since become a classic. It has been translated into 14 languages and is now in its 20th edition. It has been nominated for many awards including the Prix Femina étranger, the Prix Médicis étranger, the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize, the Libris Literature Prize, the Generale Bank Literature Prize, and has won the Euregio Prize. It was translated into English by Paul Vincent. The translation is incredibly accurate and true to the imagery and emotions the book evokes.
Two young oarsmen are trained as a coxless pair by a mysterious German coach in the golden summer of pre-war Amsterdam. Through the pressure and rapture of physical exertion, teamwork and victory, Anton the shy outsider and calmly self-confident David, forge an intense relationship while the grim developments on the world stage remain at a great distance. But on the wintry eve of Holland’s liberation, Anton stands on the bank of his beloved river and mourns a lost world: David has disappeared and the boathouse is now derelict and deserted.
This book talk was part of Series 4 of the Leander Library Rowing Book Talks in aid of the Leander Trust, a registered charity (No. 284631) to advance the lives of young people through rowing. The charity has created opportunities for young people to fulfil their rowing potential. It is truly making a difference in the lives of young people. The Rowing Book Talks have now raised more than £7000 for the charity.
The next talk in Series 4 is on 1 May 2025 with Cath Bishop to talk about her book The Long Win. Tickets are available for sale by clicking here. Cath Bishop is a Trustee of the British Rowing charity Love Rowing and the proceeds of her talk will be shared equally between the two charities. The Leander Trust and Love Rowing share the objective of helping young people through rowing.
The Rowing Book Talks are open to all and run in aid of the Leander Trust and the ticket price includes a finger buffet in the beautiful dining room at Leander Club overlooking the River Thames.
For more information email librarian@leandertrust.org
