Image of Louis Couperus

Timeline

Lifetime: 1863 - 1923 Passed: ≈ 101 years ago

Title

Novelist

Country/Nationality

Netherlands
Wikipedia

Louis Couperus

Louis Marie-Anne Couperus was a Dutch novelist and poet. His oeuvre contains a wide variety of genres: lyric poetry, psychological and historical novels, novellas, short stories, fairy tales, feuilletons and sketches. Couperus is considered to be one of the foremost figures in Dutch literature. In 1923, he was awarded the Tollensprijs (Tollens Prize). 

Couperus and his wife travelled extensively in Europe and Asia, and he later wrote several related travelogues which were published weekly. 

Dutch novelist Louis Couperus was born in The Hague in 1863. His father was an official in the Dutch government, and when Louis was ten years old his father was appointed to a position in Java, Indonesia (then a Dutch colony known as the Dutch East Indies), and the family moved there. They were there for five years when his father suddenly died, and the family returned to Holland. He graduated from the University of Holland at The Hague, and was hired there as a teacher. 

He published his first novel, "Elina Veere", in 1889 and was critically acclaimed by the Dutch "realist" school of literature. The book's success enabled him to leave teaching and devote his full time to writing. He returned often to Java for inspiration and used the location as a background in much of his work. He married in 1891 and he and his wife moved to Italy from Holland after his mother died. In 1921 he returned to the Dutch East Indies as a correspondent for the "Haagsche Post" newspaper. 

His work resulted in his becoming one of the most famous writers in Holland. One reviewer called him "unquestionably a major novelist of the world, hidden away in the Dutch language". He was awarded the Order of Orange Nassau in 1896 and the prestigious Order of the Netherlands Lion in 1923; as part of that award, he was given a house in the country. Ironically, shortly after he moved into that house he received either an insect bite or a scratch; he contracted blood poisoning, and died from it on July 16, 1923. 

Books by Louis Couperus

 The Inevitable Cover image

The Inevitable

Romance Fiction
Relationships Divorce

The Inevitable, The Law Inevitable or Inevitable, is a novel by Dutch author Louis Couperus, published in 1900. It was first translated into English by Alexander Teixeira de Mattos and published in New York in 1920 by Dodd Mead and Company, and in Lo...

Footsteps of Fate Cover image

Footsteps of Fate

Fiction Novel
Young Friendship Passion Childhood Life Relationships General Fiction

Footsteps of Fate is a novel written by Louis Couperus and published in 1891. Footsteps of Fate was first published in the Dutch magazine "De Gids" (October 1890). In 1891 the novel was translated into English by Clara Bell and published under the ti...

Small Souls Cover image

Small Souls

Novel
Love Struggle Passion Life Desire Relationships Experiences Psychoanalysis Literary Fiction

It follows the lives of two cousins, Addy and Constance, as they navigate their way through life in The Hague, Netherlands. Set against the backdrop of upper-class society in the late 19th century, "Small Souls" is a story about love, relationships,...

The Later Life Cover image

The Later Life

Novel
Family Love Struggle Explore Society Journey Desire Wealth Emotion Relationships Experiences Ambition

It tells the story of a wealthy Dutch family living in The Hague, focusing on the protagonist Constance van der Welcke and her struggles with her emotions and relationships. The book explores themes of family, love, and society, as Constance navigate...

Dr. Adriaan Cover image

Dr. Adriaan

Fiction History Novel Self-Help
Love Historical Fiction Self-Discovery Challenges Struggle Passion Ambition Human Nature Storytelling Doctor Expectation

This novel takes readers on a compelling journey through the life of Dr. Adriaan. "Dr. Adriaan" stands as a timeless literary work that explores the complexities of human nature and the pursuit of personal identity. Couperus' masterful storytelling a...

The Twilight of the Souls Cover image

The Twilight of the Souls

Novel
Love Nature Desire Betrayal Conflicts Relationships Experiences Psychological Complex

This is a compelling novel that delves into the complexities of human emotions and the intricacies of relationships. Written by the renowned Dutch author Louis Couperus, this thought-provoking book explores the depths of the human soul and the tumult...

Van Oude Menschen de Dingen, die Voorbij Gaan Cover image

Van Oude Menschen de Dingen, die Voorbij Gaan

Fiction Drama Mystery
Mystery Death Time Nostalgia Memory Psychological Shadow Past Dutch Literature Regret Legacy Family Drama Secrets Old age Family secrets

Zoals de titel al aangeeft gaat het boek over oude mensen (en ouder worden) en de dingen die voorbijgaan. Maar niet alles gaat voorbij met het ouder worden... Een duister geheim uit het verleden werpt zijn steeds groter wordende schaduw over een fami...

Eline Vere Cover image

Eline Vere

Romance Drama Novel Tragedy
19th century Love Social Satire Death Tragedy Idealism Romance Society Class Femininity Aristocracy Dutch Literature Depression Psychology Disillusionment Social realism Melancholy Female protagonist Upper class Haagse School Dutch society

De 19e eeuwse klassieker Eline Vere speelt in de gegoede kringen van Den Haag. Eline is een jonge, mooie maar labiele vrouw die zich veel van het leven voorstelt en een levendige fantasie heeft. De werkelijkheid valt haar telkens tegen en ze vlucht w...

Kleine Zielen Cover image

Kleine Zielen

Fiction Drama Novel
Family Marriage Love Morality Social Class Reputation Society Betrayal Hypocrisy Scandal Secrets Haag

De kleine zielen is een roman van Louis Couperus die zich afspeelt in Den Haag aan het begin van de 20e eeuw. Het verhaal draait om Constance van Lowe, een getrouwde vrouw die een affaire heeft met de secretaris van haar man, baron Van der Welcke. Wa...

Korte Verhalen van Louis Couperus Cover image

Korte Verhalen van Louis Couperus

Satire Comedy Fantasy Romance Adventure Fiction History Fairy Tale Mystery
Short Story Mystery Action Adventure Romance Satire Fantasy Humor Fairytale

A collection of ten short stories by Louis Couperus, divided into two sections: 'Sprookjes en Fantastische Verhalen' (Fairy Tales and Fantastical Stories) and 'Historische Verhalen' (Historical Stories).

Stille Kracht Cover image

Stille Kracht

Fiction History Political Science Drama
Family Marriage Loyalty Happiness Identity Colonialism Culture Clash Self-sacrifice Dutch East Indies East-West relations

Set in the Dutch East Indies at the end of the 19th century, The Silent Force explores the complex relationships between Dutch colonizers and the indigenous Javanese population. The novel follows the story of a young Dutch couple, Otto and Adèle van...

Late Leven Cover image

Late Leven

Romance Fiction Drama
Morality Inheritance Social Class Loss Betrayal Love Triangle Family secrets Family Saga Ancien Regime Ménage à trois

Louis Couperus's Late Leven is a complex and compelling novel that explores the lives and loves of a group of wealthy Dutch aristocrats in the twilight of the 19th century. At the center of the story is Constance van der Welcke, a middle-aged woman t...

Lent van vaerzen Cover image

Lent van vaerzen

Poetry
Poems Poetry

"Lent van vaerzen" by Louis Couperus is a collection of poems that showcase the dreamy and poetic style that would later become characteristic of his prose works. Published in 1884, it offers a glimpse into the early literary sensibilities of one of...

Zielenschemering Cover image

Zielenschemering

Fiction Drama Novel
Blonde Angst Familie Ellende Hallucinaties Zwakheid Reacties Huzaren Ritmeester Sterk Bruut

Zielenschemering is part of the Boeken der Kleine Zielen series by Louis Couperus. It delves into the lives of the Van Lowe family, focusing on the struggles of Gerrit and Ernst. Gerrit, a seemingly strong and healthy cavalry officer, grapples with i...

Aan den Weg der Vreugde Cover image

Aan den Weg der Vreugde

Romance Fiction Drama
Love Morality Social Class Travel Passion Loss Betrayal Italy Culture Clash Holland Holiday romance

Aan den Weg der Vreugde tells the story of a passionate holiday romance between an Italian surgeon and a Dutch widow. The two meet in Italy and quickly fall in love, but their relationship is soon tested by cultural differences, social class, and mor...

Zwevende Schaakbord Cover image

Zwevende Schaakbord

Fantasy Adventure
Adventure Heroism Magic Fantasy Knights Magic Items

This fantastical adventure recounts the legendary tale of Sir Gawain, a brave knight from King Arthur's Round Table. On a treacherous quest, Gawain seeks the magical Floating Chessboard, a relic he previously acquired for his king. The journey is orc...

Wereldvrede Cover image

Wereldvrede

Fiction History Political Science Novel
War Power Future Court Politics Justice Empire Royalty Monarchy Europe World peace International law

Wereldvrede (World Peace) is a novel by Louis Couperus, a sequel to his previous work 'Majesteit' (Majesty). It follows the story of Crown Prince Othomar who ascends to the throne as Emperor Othomar XII after the death of his father, Oscar. The narr...

Hooge Troeven Cover image

Hooge Troeven

Fiction History Political Science
Koningsromans Koning Koning Willem-Alexander Koningin Máxima Kroning Hofintriges Moeder Zoon Othomar XII Listige

Het derde en laatste deel van de koningsromans van Louis Couperus. Een verhaal over hofintriges waarin moeder en zoon elkaar willen aftroeven, maar waarin ze geen rekening houden met Othomar XII (de listige).

Heilige Weten Cover image

Heilige Weten

Fiction Drama Novel Psychology
Inheritance Moral Dilemmas Relationships Psychoanalysis social commentary Dutch Literature Family Drama Psychological realism Family secrets Dutch society Generational Conflict Inner turmoil

In 'Heilige Weten', the final installment of Couperus's 'Boeken der Kleine Zielen' cycle, the story shifts focus to Addy, now a doctor and head of a sprawling family. He finds himself burdened by the expectations and complexities of his inherited fam...

Inevitable Cover image

Inevitable

Romance Fiction Drama
Love Romance Passion Desire Relationships Divorce Italy Consequences Emotional New beginnings Intimacy Foreign Travel

This novel explores the complexities of love, desire, and the consequences of choices in the life of Cornélie de Retz, a young Dutch divorcee who seeks a fresh start in Italy. With an intimate focus on romantic conversations and emotional turmoil, th...

Fidessa Cover image

Fidessa

Fantasy Romance Adventure Mythology
Adventure Romance Mythology Medieval Fantasy Nimf Eenhoorn Ridder Kasteel Bos Heide

Fidessa, a nimf who dwells in a lush meadow, is swept away from her carefree life by a mystical unicorn. She is then captured by a knight, Sans-Joye, who takes her to his fortified castle. The story explores themes of freedom, captivity, and the all...

Metamorfoze Cover image

Metamorfoze

Fiction Philosophy Novel
Symbolism Literature Art Identity Fiction Dutch Literature Existentialism Modernism Novel Metamorphosis Self-expression

Metamorfoze is a novel by Dutch author Louis Couperus, first published in 1897. The novel tells the story of Hugo Aylva, a young writer who is struggling to find his place in the world and to come to terms with his own identity. Aylva is a complex an...

Legende, mythe en fantazie Cover image

Legende, mythe en fantazie

Fiction Essays Novel
Language Romanticism Culture Art Legend Prose Fantasy Dutch Literature Latin Myth Style Literary Analysis

Louis Couperus' 'Legende, mythe en fantazie' is a collection of essays exploring the interplay between myth, legend, and fantasy in literature and culture. Couperus, known for his elegant prose and keen eye for detail, delves into the origins and im...

Over lichtende drempels Cover image

Over lichtende drempels

Satire Fantasy Fiction Philosophy Fairy Tale
Kunst Sprookjes Psychologie Filosofie Allegorieën Fantasieën Innerlijke belevingswereld gelijkgestemdheid

Couperus legt in zijn sprookjes, allegorieën en fantasieën zijn diepste gevoelens en gedachten bloot. Deze werken zijn minder toegankelijk voor het grote publiek, maar bieden een uniek inzicht in de innerlijke belevingswereld van de schrijver.

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