Stijn Streuvels

The Path of Life (Dodo Press) Stijn Streuvels

Stijn Streuvels (1871-1969) born Franciscus (Frank) Petrus Maria Lateur, was a Belgian writer. He started writing at a very young age. He was inspired by his uncle (and also famous writer) Guido Gezelle. Initially his work was published in an insignificant magazine De jonge Vlaming. Soon he was discovered by the editors of a new magazine Van Nu en Straks. After their first encounter, Emmanuel de Bom became his mentor and advised him to publish his work in book form. In 1936 his mentor failed to convince the Nobel committee to award the Nobel Prize to Streuvels. He became doctor honoris causa at the universities of Leuven, Munster and Pretoria. Streuvels work usually deals with the rural life of poor farmers in Flanders. Among his famous works are: Old Jan, Dagen, and The Path of Life (1915).