Moderne schelmen (Indië in Den Haag): Oorspronkelijke roman

A sweltering afternoon in a colonial hotel sets the stage for a quiet comedy of manners. Jan van Vleuten, weary from the oppressive heat of The Hague’s “Indië” district, retreats to his modest room, only to be greeted by Betsy, a lively young woman whose flirtatious banter masks a deeper concern for a sick guest. Their exchange, peppered with playful teasing about bathing rituals and the tinkling of a childhood music box, hints at a web of relationships that swirl around the hotel’s cramped corridors.

Amidst the clatter of servants and the distant hum of a bustling street, the novel paints a vivid portrait of everyday life under colonial rule—blistering sun, thin walls, and the delicate balance between hospitality and restraint. As the characters navigate longing, duty, and the subtle tensions of their shared space, the story invites listeners to linger over the fragrant, buzzing atmosphere and wonder what hidden desires lie behind polite greetings.