
audiobook
by Cornelis Johannes Kieviet, W. J. (Willem Jacobszoon) Hofdijk
A dark, rain‑soaked night in 15th‑century Haarlem sets the stage for a tale that feels both intimate and timeless. The city’s narrow, muddy streets glisten under a waning moon as a young, well‑clad boy darts through the shadows, his breath visible in the chill air. He is pursued by the town’s night watch, his hurried steps echoing the urgency of a secret he cannot yet name. The vivid description of the storm, the flickering lanterns, and the palpable fear draws listeners into a world where every footfall could decide a destiny.
Soon the boy’s desperate flight leads him into a hidden corner, where the light of the moon reveals more than just his fine garments—it hints at a lineage of privilege and a looming family burden. As the watchmen close in, the story unfurls into a legend of two brothers whose fates are bound to the city’s fortunes, promising intrigue, loyalty, and the harsh choices forced by a turbulent era.
Language
nl
Duration
~2 hours (154K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Jeroen Hellingman and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net/ for Project Gutenberg.
Release date
2018-12-22
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1858–1931
Best known for creating the mischievous boy Dik Trom, this Dutch writer helped shape classic children's literature in the Netherlands. He was also a teacher, and his stories are remembered for their humor, warmth, and lively sense of adventure.
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1816–1888
A Dutch poet, novelist, and popular historian of the 19th century, he helped bring the medieval past to life for a broad reading public. His work mixed storytelling with history in a way that fit the romantic spirit of his time.
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