Last night I reread a story written by Dutch children’s book author, Guus Kuijer, The Book of Everything (translated by John Nieuwenhuizen). It’s been a while since the last time I read it, but it left such an impression, I’ve never forgotten it. It’s a story about a family, set not long after WWII in Holland, and told by 9 year-old Thomas who sees what most people do not.
He sees swordfish swimming in the canal; he sees the witch who lives next door and who fought in the Resistance; he sees Jesus who befriends Thomas and visits regularly; he sees frogs inundating the street and coming through the letterbox; he sees the beauty in his sister’s friend Eliza with her leather prosthetic leg and hand with only one finger; he sees the undercurrent of fear in his family and how his father abuses his mother, himself and his sister. He sees the magic and wonder of the world and the darkness as well and writes it all down. It’s a heartbreaking tale of domestic violence, but is elevating in its humanity, humour and ultimate goodness, told in poetic, simple prose.
It’s a story where love overcomes fear; where kindness and compassion triumphs over meanness and closed-mindedness; and where bringing what is kept hidden behind closed doors to light transmutes it into truth that can be known and understood without shame or terror. It’s a short story with a big heart and a world-widening view, and I simply love it.
And when the witch next door, Mrs Van Amersfoot asks Thomas in one of their encounters, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Thomas says, “Happy…When I grow up, I am going to be happy.” And Mrs Van Amersfoot responds, “That’s a bloody good idea. And do you know how happiness begins? It begins with no longer being afraid.”