WorldInColour

Herman de Coninck was one of Belgium's most popular poets. 'Taal zonder mij' is written by Kristien Hemmerechts, also a writer in her own respect, but, more significant for this book, Herman's widow.

I have always had a soft spot for de Coninck's poetry. It's heartfelt, simple, ingenious and, as we learn from this short book, highly autobiographical. Hemmerechts paints a sincere portrait of her late husband, a quiet, but paradoxical man. A man who lost his own wife at a young age. A man who tried to cope with the desire 'to be' and 'to have'. Besides providing some autobiographical information, 'Taal zonder mij' also provides some interesting insights in de Coninck's poetry.

It goes without saying that this book is, therefore, recommended if you're a de Coninck fan. It remains supplementary reading however - I doubt Hemmerechts wanted to write anything more. Herman de Coninck's poetry remains, and while the man might have left this world, his influence surely hasn't.