Since quite some time on my "to be read" list and now done: a nice kind of travel story across Europe, tracing our literary past as mentionned in the second title of the book. This is perhaps a bit too ambitious as Europe counts of course many more literary traditions than the ones mentionned in this book. But the author also travels to Canada and Iran and gives us some insights in what have been or still are important aspects in literature back when it originated and even until today.
Very beautifully written, melancholic at times, very witty and keen observations at other moments. Sorry for the non Dutch (or Flemish) readers but probably another little gem that has not been translated.
Vanhole is a master in storytelling, with a rich vocabulary and vivacious and compelling writing style: you just want to know how the story will unfold and where it will bring you.
It even gives you a hunger to read the literary examples he mentions, even if they are written by French authors! :)

PS: the last remark is a small joke: some critical readers before me stated that French literature (like French cinema) is more boring than watching paint dry, but for the moment i like very much [[Laurent Binet]] for instance. ( )

Een echte ontdekking; ik kende de betreurde (in 2008 overleden) Vanhole wel van naam, maar had nog niets van hem gelezen. Het boek bevat uiteenlopende bijdragen, vooral reisverslagen, waarin een scherp observator aan het woord komt die speurt naar schijn en werkelijkheid, naar wat was en nu geworden is. Boeiend en mooi geschreven, in die mate zelfs, dat de bijdragen eigenlijk veel te kort zijn. Alleen het reisverslag over Iran komt enigszins tot zijn recht. De ondertitel (reizen door het literaire verleden van Europa) dekt de lading niet helemaal. ( )