Anglophile #18 2023-2024

In this edition:

Save the dates

Message from the board, by Ammerins Moss-de Boer

Wanted: new board member

Unforgettable Books, Patrick Stewart: Making It So, by Marjan Brouwers

Fun for a Wet Summer, by Reinou Anker-Sollie

UK General Election & Larry the Cat, by Marjan Brouwers

Books & Booze April and June: a general impression

My generation, part 3, by Annie van der Veen

From our readers


Save the dates


Books & Booze, Friday 11th of October 2024, 17.00 hours at Walter’s Bookshop

General Assembly (ALV): Tuesday 5th of November 2024, 19.00 hours at the Harmonie Building Canteen

Books & Booze, Friday 13th of December 2024, 17.00 hours at Walter’s Bookshop

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Message from the board

by Ammerins Moss-de Boer

Dear readers,

It is high time for the autumn edition of this alumni magazine! Oh, hang on, it’s only July… You could have fooled me… After having been drenched more times than I wish to remember the past few weeks while pedalling against the wind to and from my office or the train station, it is easy to be mistaken… But, we hope the summer has some nice weather (not too hot, not too dry, normal Dutch weather will do…) in store for us all and that there will be enough time to enjoy some hammock time with a good book!

Talking about books, if you haven’t yet attended one of our Books & Booze get-togethers, you have definitely missed something! It is great to talk about classic and more recent works of fiction, discuss our own literary journeys, and of course enjoy Elke’s fantastic bartending skills. We also tested out a hybrid set-up last time, and I think we can conclude that it is a workable alternative to allow for remote attendance. Although it is still physically impossible to pour Elke’s cocktails down the Internet, there is plenty of opportunity for interaction (and she can slip you the recipe in advance so you can shake along). Are you unable to travel up to Groningen, but are you curious to see what we’re up to and want to join the discussion, drop us a line, and we’ll try and hook you up next time!

One book that didn’t make the shortlist for the Books & Booze was Patrick Stewart’s autobiography. We have to draw the literary line somewhere (sorry, Marjan…), but we did compromise and allowed her to write a glowing review of this unforgettable book for you to enjoy!

If you are a lover of historical fiction, you will enjoy Reinou’s article on watching Bridgerton. Have you read the books? Do you like the tv series better or did it totally spoil your reading experience and did it not match the images you had in your head? Reinou has been glued to the screen and devoured the last season of Bridgerton.

As we always love reminiscing about our time at the RUG, we didn’t need to work hard to convince Annie to write a series of articles on her experiences at the English department in the 70s. In this edition she shared her final trip down memory lane. We would love it if any of our members can pick up where she left off and share some memories of the 80s in Groningen! Drop Reinou or Marjan a line and get share your stories!

While we have your attention… we would love to add one more member to our board. We are quite a relaxed and enthusiastic bunch, but have more ideas than time, so with a few more hands and brain cells, we can organise even more fun events to meet up. Want information? Don’t hesitate to e-mail or call us!

That leaves me with nothing more to say than: enjoy our summer magazine, don’t get sunaked, and if you are in London this summer: say hi to Larry and JoJo!

Ammerins, on behalf of the entire board

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Wanted: new board member!

At our next General Assembly, Marjan will take her leave as our esteemed secretary. So, we need someone to fill her shoes and make sure meetings are scheduled, e-mails are answered and notes are taken. Are you interested in joining Ammerins, Nienke, Anne and Elke? Please let us know by sending us an e-mail!

Would you like to know more about the secretary’s duties, Marjan is happy to answer any questions you may have. One of her more time-consuming but fun tasks is being editor of the Anglophile. Marjan and Reinou will continue as joint editors, together with Henk Dragstra. So that extra task will no longer be part of the secretary’s workload.

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Unforgettable Books


Patrick Stewart: Making it so

by Marjan Brouwers

As long as I can remember, I have been a Trekkie. A real fan girl, pining after the dashing captain James T. Kirk, of course. I remember watching Star Trek on a tiny black and white tv, sitting on the floor of our neighbour’s house. This must have been in the early seventies, I guess. I was thrilled. Loved it as much as my favourite Dutch kid’s show Kunt u mij de weg naar Hamelen vertellen. And Star Trek was serious stuff. I even remember the episode that had me captivated for years: The Tholian Web, season 3, episode 9, with a ghostlike Kirk in his space suit, trapped in an alternate dimension, appearing and disappearing several times all over the Enterprise and even out there, in space! Eleven-year-old me had never seen such an exciting show on tv before and from that moment on I was hooked on Star Trek and – to be honest – on Captain Kirk.

Deze afbeelding heeft een leeg alt-attribuut; de bestandsnaam is IMG_2126.jpeg

Years later, a new captain entered the Enterprise bridge: Patrick Stewart in his role as Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Was I as captivated as before? Hardly. This bald, elderly Brit could hardly replace William Shatner’s Kirk! Although, Shatner wasn’t as young and dashing anymore at the time. In time, Stewart grew on me and I got to like him a lot. I will never forget his performance as Locutus of Borg! His Resistance is Futile speech has become my ringtone!

Wait, don’t stop reading: there is Shakespeare to come!

Now, I realise that some of you are tempted to skip this article. I know, not everyone likes Science Fiction as much as I do. However, there is much more to Patrick Stewart than meets the eye. When I first saw him as Picard, I knew he used to be a rather famous Shakespeare actor, who had rather radically changed course. Over the years he not only played Picard, but also Professor X in the X Men franchise with his friend Ian McKellan and before that Gurney Halleck in David Lynch’s controversial version of Dune in 1984. Why he left the theatre to become a Hollywood star I didn’t know at the time. It seemed to me the stage and the film set were worlds, no even galaxies apart.

Yorkshire roots

So, when his autobiography Making it so, a Memoire was published, I bought the book at once and devoured it in one go. The main surprise for me was Stewart’s depiction of his Yorkshire childhood. Perhaps I was rather prejudiced, but I always assumed he came from an upper or middle class family, that he went to some posh boarding school and decided on a career in the theatre after having graduated from university. Reading this book, I realised I could not have been more wrong. Patrick Stewart was born on the 13th of July 1940 in Mirfield in Yorkshire, his dad was a traumatised, violent man, who drank too much and vented his anger and frustration on his wife and kids. Patrick left school at an early age, never went to college or university. He had a broad Yorkshire accent, which he had to unlearn, and no cultural background whatsoever.

Life-long love for the theatre

However, he loved to read and did so ferociously, usually hiding away with a book in the outdoor toilet. At school he discovered his life-long love for the theatre. In those days (fifties and sixties, before Margaret Thatcher firmly put an end to this nonsense) there were plenty of opportunities for British children to act in plays at school or in local theatre groups. There were even special government programmes encouraging youngsters from poor families, like Patrick, to join theatre groups for young actors, without having to pay. Later on, Patrick worked in construction as a bricklayer and later on as a young newspaper editor (his job was to write obituaries) to pay his way. When he finally ended up as a professional actor, working for several theatre groups, including the Royal Shakespeare Company, he was confronted with another obstacle: early hair loss. Only in his twenties, he was balding rapidly, like all men in his family. Even though wearing wigs in theatre was no problem, being bald certainly made it harder for him to be accepted for certain roles. However, he succeeded in finding a permanent position in the Royal Shakespeare Company, playing a great many roles, working with a long list of famous actors and directors.

Make it so!

Captain Jean-Luc Picard on the Enterprise D, photo by Derek Springer

And then in 1986, after having played so many beautiful parts, he upped and left to become a Hollywood star. Enter Jean-Luc Picard, captain of the Enterprise. He found the transition quite hard. For instance, he wasn’t used to actors fooling around during filming and told them so. They made fun of him because of this and he had a hard time, until he decided it was better to relax and join in. The first year he lived out of his suitcase, because he expected the show to be cancelled after the first year. But Star Trek The Next Generation turned out to be a great success and Patrick stayed on till the end of its run and came back to play in several films and even in a brand new series carrying his name: Picard.

Knighted, divorced and befriended by the lovely Ian McKellan

Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen at the Comic-Con of 2013, photo by Pat Loika

Meanwhile, he never stopped being a theatre actor. In between filming he would play in all kinds of plays all over the world, often with his pals from his theatre days. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 2010, met Paul McCartney twice (the first time he was allowed to drive Paul and his wife somewhere), he became close friends with the lovely Ian McKellan (who will also start writing his memoires soon, I hope), married three times, divorced twice (which says a lot about his getting used to living in Hollywood).

Want to know more? Go get his book and enjoy Patrick’s stories about growing up as a poor kid in Yorkshire, his schooling as an classical actor and the people he met, his triumphs and disasters, his honest account of his love life and the fun he had with Ian and others. I enjoyed this book a lot and immediately started rewatching TNG episodes!

Making It So, A Memoir, by Patrick Stewart, Gallery Books UK, 2023

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Fun for a Wet Summer: Bridgerton

a ChatGPT Experiment

by Reinou Anker-Sollie

I wanted to offer you some suggestions for the rainy days this summer, and the first thing that came to mind was Bridgerton. Netflix now has 3 seasons you can watch, plus one spin-off, and not to forget, the series is based on the novels of Julia Quinn, so there’s plenty of reading material available too! Now, I have been dabbling with ChatGPT a bit, letting it help me with my work. But I was really curious what it could do in the area of writing. It pleasantly surprised me! Naturally, giving it clear direction is essential, but in my eyes, this result is not too shabby 😉. Here goes:

Exploring the World of Bridgerton: A Fusion of Regency Romance and Modern Sensibilities

Netflix’s “Bridgerton” series has become a cultural phenomenon, blending Regency-era romance with contemporary storytelling flair. Created by Chris Van Dusen and produced by Shonda Rhimes, this adaptation of Julia Quinn’s bestselling novels brings to life the opulent world of the Bridgerton family. With lush settings, vibrant characters, and an emphasis on both romance and societal intrigue, “Bridgerton” has captivated audiences worldwide. The success of the series led to the creation of a spin-off, “Queen Charlotte,” further expanding the universe of the ton.

The Bridgerton Universe and Its Spin-Off

Set in early 19th-century London, “Bridgerton” follows the eight Bridgerton siblings as they navigate high society’s expectations and the complexities of love. The series opens with the eldest daughter, Daphne, making her debut in the marriage market, setting the tone for a story rich in romantic entanglements, witty dialogue, and a touch of scandal. The narrative is cleverly framed by Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers, an anonymous gossip column that adds a layer of intrigue and humour.

The success of “Bridgerton” paved the way for “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story,” a spin-off focusing on the rise of Queen Charlotte and her influence over the society depicted in the original series. This prequel dives into the queen’s younger years, exploring her personal and political challenges, thus enriching the Bridgerton universe with historical depth and character backstory. The spin-off maintains the original’s balance of drama, romance, and regency elegance while offering new perspectives on familiar characters.

Inclusion and Representation in Bridgerton

One of the standout features of “Bridgerton” is its inclusive casting, which challenges traditional portrayals of Regency-era Britain. The series features a diverse cast, with prominent roles given to actors of colour. This decision not only broadens representation in a genre that has historically been homogeneous but also enriches the narrative by presenting a more inclusive version of society. Characters such as Simon Basset, played by Regé-Jean Page, and Lady Danbury, portrayed by Adjoa Andoh, have become iconic, demonstrating the show’s commitment to diversity.

However, the handling of race in the “Queen Charlotte” spin-off has sparked some debate. While the original series subtly incorporated diverse characters into its world without making race a central issue, “Queen Charlotte” delves deeper into racial themes. Some viewers find that the race issue becomes overly prominent in the spin-off, potentially overshadowing the romantic and dramatic elements that made “Bridgerton” so appealing. This shift in focus may feel heavy-handed to those who preferred the more integrated approach of the main series.

The Use of Colour in Bridgerton

A significant aspect of “Bridgerton” that adds to its unique charm is the vibrant use of colour. The series’ costume and set designs are deliberately extravagant, employing a bold and diverse colour palette that distinguishes different families and social standings. The Bridgerton family is often seen in soft pastels and whites, reflecting their noble and genteel status, while the Featheringtons are dressed in bright, flamboyant colours that highlight their aspirational nature and social climbing efforts. These visual choices not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also serve as a storytelling device, subtly conveying character traits and social nuances. A clear example of this is the use of colours when (potential) couples are formed. Spoiler alert! In the first series you can see the blue Bridgerton colour combined with the red of a suitor, resulting in a purple dress.

Julia Quinn’s Writing: A Tribute to Romance

Julia Quinn, the author behind the “Bridgerton” series, has been celebrated for her ability to weave engaging, character-driven stories with a light, humorous touch. Her writing is characterized by sparkling dialogue, well-developed characters, and meticulously researched historical settings. Quinn’s novels are known for their fast-paced plots, where events unfold swiftly, keeping readers eagerly turning the pages. Each book focuses on a different Bridgerton sibling, ensuring variety and freshness throughout the series.

Quinn’s writing is often compared to that of Jane Austen, another luminary of Regency romance. Both authors excel in creating vivid, multi-dimensional characters and insightful social commentaries. However, there are notable differences in their narrative styles, particularly regarding pacing.

Julia Quinn and Jane Austen

Jane Austen’s novels, such as “Pride and Prejudice” and “Sense and Sensibility,” unfold at a more measured pace compared to Quinn’s brisk storytelling. Austen’s work delves deeply into the internal lives of her characters, with extended dialogues and detailed descriptions that build a rich, immersive world. Her narratives often focus on the subtleties of social interactions and the gradual development of relationships.

In contrast, Julia Quinn’s novels are faster-paced, with plots that move quickly from one event to the next. This rapid progression suits most modern readers’ preferences for dynamic storytelling and aligns well with the episodic nature of television adaptations. Quinn’s humour is also more overt and playful, adding a layer of modern sensibility to the historical setting.

While Austen’s prose is marked by its elegance and irony, Quinn’s writing is accessible and engaging, making the Bridgerton series a gateway for many into the world of Regency romance. Both authors, in their unique ways, highlight the timeless appeal of love stories set against the backdrop of societal norms and expectations.

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Elections: all change and no change

by Ammerins Moss-de Boer

Larry, Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office. Photo: His Majesty’s Government

That we would get a new Prime Minister moving into 10 Downing Street was quite clear from the moment the elections were called on a wet and chilly day in late May. While Rishi Sunak got sunaked (I am sorry, I saw the word coined on Twitter/X and just can’t stop using it) and with loud protests going on in the background, Larry had made himself scarce, finding a quiet dry place to ponder over what this would mean for him. Because while most of his previous servants were 100% dedicated to him (dogs and babies don’t count), the likely new inhabitants he would have to share this magnificent residence with, the Starmer household, already have a cat, Jojo.

Jojo will be the first cat Larry will have to share the house with since Freya, who spent a few years chasing mice under Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, but who was sent away to Kent in 2014 when the family got a new dog. To be honest, Larry didn’t really seem to mind, as Freya was said to be a bit too dominant for his liking and was always straying quite far away from home, so their relationship wasn’t too close…

Chief mouser to the Cabinet Office Larry is now a strappy 17-year-old boy, and has been living at 10 Downing Street since 2011 – longer than any UK leader – and in his time there has seen five (all Conservative) PMs come and go, with Starmer being the sixth (and first Labour PM). He has always been a better entertainer than a mouse catcher (his plans for solving the mice occupancy problem are said to “still be in a tactical planning stage”). He has always been a welcome distraction for reporters and photographers, and has probably been photographed more often than any PM giving a speech outside that famous black door. When in September last year, rumours spread about Larry being seriously ill, we all breathed a sigh of relief when he informed us via Twitter/X that he was okay.

He also doesn’t mind a cuddle now and then. Apparently, one of the highlights of his life was being stroked by Barack Obama when he came to visit David Cameron. When Trump came to visit, Larry hid behind the armoured Cadillac and didn’t show himself until the American president was gone again.

And while the staff and new ministers are getting to grips with the new political situation and Victoria (Starmer) is busy scraping wallpaper off the walls and measuring curtains, what we really want to know is: How will Larry react to Jojo? Will she become his new partner in crime? Will they be posing for their own royal portrait in front of Number 10 soon? Of will their relationship be volatile and will they be fighting like cats… and cats? We will have to wait and see…

One last word of wisdom from Larry: “The key thing to remember is that I live here permanently; the politicians just lodge with me for a bit until they’re fired. They all work out sooner or later that it’s me that runs the place.”

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Books & Booze April and June: General impression

After our first enjoyable Books & Booze meeting in February, we met again twice. We discussed Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 at length and with great spirit in April. We were not done talking, so some of us had dinner and more cocktails afterwards.

Then we read another novel: a completely different one. Again, we took plenty of time to discuss Sarah Waters’s novel The Paying Guests, this time in the online company of Syca Dam, who lives too far away to join in person. If any of you would like to follow her example and join our next sessions online, that is certainly possible. Just let us know and we will see it done!

As mention above, you are welcome to read along. Our next Books & Booze will be on Friday 11 October, when we will be discussing Sylvia Plath’s novel The Bell Jar. Two months later, on Friday 13 December, it is time for Possession by A.S. Byatt. You can let us know by mail whether you would like to join and we will also send you an email after the summer.

Again, a great shout-out to Erwin de Vries of Walters’ Bookshop, who lets us use his backroom for free!

Cocktails to enjoy while reading Ray Bradbury’s novel Fahrenheit

Paper Plane
22,5 ml Bourbon
22,5 ml Aperol
22,5 ml Amaro
22,5 ml lemon juice

Fireman’s Sour
60 ml white Rum
30 ml lime jouice
15 ml Grenadine
15 ml egg white

Last Word
22,5 ml Gin
22,5 ml Chartreuse green
22,5 ml Maraschino
22,5 ml lemon juice

Cocktails accompanying Sarah Waters’ The Paying Guests

Black widow
3 basil leaves
2 blackberries
1 1/2 ounces blanco tequila
1 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
1 teaspoon agave nectar

Martini
60 ml gin
30 ml dry vermouth
lemon peel

London calling
50 ml gin
15 ml dry sherry
15 ml lemon juice
15 ml sigaar siroop (2:1 sugar:water)
2 ml Orange bitters

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My generation, part 3: ARE YOU STILL WITH ME?

Studying English Language and Literature in the 70s: part 3

by Annie van der Veen

I may have lost some of you already, but I still feel the need to finish what I started.  There will always be fresh memories popping up, so this tale will never be complete, but let me give it a try. We got to the year 1975.  I had just got my ‘kandidaats’ and after the summer holidays started the ‘doctoraal’ phase of our studies. The timeframe was officially two years, in which you had to choose:

  • 4 subjects or seminars.  Workgroups tackling one particular subject.
  • 2 extra subjects outside the Anglistics’ Institute: ‘bijvakken’
  • 1 thesis

This was the moment you could choose your own path, choose the things that you were really interested in.  After having sniffed at all the different aspects of the English language and its literature, this is where you could tell where people’s interests lay. And boy, how we turned out to be different! 

There was a fresh range of subjects each year, which was great.  After asking around a bit, I can give you a list of some of the seminars that were offered, but there were plenty more.

  • The American Myth of the West: J. Bakker
  • Saul Bellow: J. Bakker
  • The Fifties: P. Floor
  • The Pronunciation of the English Language: J. Posthumus
  • Tragedies: A. Mackinnon
  • Witchcraft: A. Davies
  • Short Story Writing: P. Floor
  • Classical Influence on English Literature: prof. dr. Heymans
  • Black Writing: H. Dragstra
  • D.H. Lawrence: J. Verleun
  • Thomas Hardy: D. Wilkinson
James Baldwin, photo by Allan Warren

Originally, the Black Writing seminar was a group of people who were interested in the works of black authors and read and discussed these regularly in their spare time. Henk Dragstra was one of the participants and managed to get this subject on the list of seminars on offer. Since I had been interested in the subject for many years already, I joined them and had a great time. So much so that I decided to write my final thesis on James Baldwin. Mind you, this was the 70s.  Not everybody considered works by black authors to be literature, even at the Institute. I had to fight quite a bit of of prejudice and it took the help of prof. D. Wilkinson to get my final thesis approved.

The stories of the Classics have always been a favourite of mine. So, when prof. Heymans was a guest lecturer at the Institute, I followed his classes eagerly and participated in his seminar Classical Influence on English Literature. We read Eugene O’Neill’s Mourning Becomes Electra, based on Aeschylus’ Oresteia.  Loved the subject, loved this lecturer. Very amiable man who knew so much! And who had a fantastic, enthusiastic way of talking about ‘his’ Classics. Learned so much from him! Part of the programme was a trip to Scheveningen to watch this play performed by Theatre Group Apple. We even had dinner at an Indonesian restaurant, Garoeda. My first time, ever!  I remember very strongly how I felt like the provincial girl that I of course still was. Never been to Scheveningen or The Hague. Experience of a lifetime! And I particularly remember making a fool of myself by asking what that wonderful castle-like building was that we passed in The Hague. Parliament buildings of course: how was I to know that! Never seen them before! 

Dutch Parliament Building in The Hague in 1974, photo bij Hans Peters

Short Story Writing by mr. Paul Floor. Of course, by mr. Floor. I would have chosen any subject if he was the one to teach it. He was a true teacher. I learned so much from this man. I thought hard and long on what the fourth seminar was that I did. Was it Thomas Hardy? I most certainly read all his novels and went on a trip to Hardy Country with Anthony Davies. Must have cooperated with prof. Wilkinson, because people assured me that he was the one who taught the subject. Was it D. H. Lawrence by mr. Verleun? I am sure I read all his novels. And remember quite clearly mr. Verleun’s outspoken opinion on the role of women in these novels. Was it something to do with drama? I participated in a play by the English Drama Society. We performed Table Manners by Alan Ackbourne. What great fun that was. Mind you, we were very serious about it. Even went on ‘drama-weekends’ where we practised under the direction and instructions of Paula de Valk and Else Jansen. Great cast, great play, lots of fun. We performed in the ‘Kruithuis’, a small theatre at the back of the Schouwburg.  

Any regrets? Things I did or would have loved to do but didn’t? Things I would have done differently? Loads!! But I am not going to burden you with all of those. Just the one thing. In hindsight, I would have loved to go to England for a year and study there. I remember visiting Hans Jansen in Bristol. He had gone there for a year and had a great time. They even asked him to lecture there on Middle English, because his knowledge on the subject was far superior to theirs… Together with Con, Koop Tissingh, and Gert Egberts I had a great time there. Why didn’t I go? Why didn’t I apply for a scholarship to go abroad? Still a little afraid to fail, I guess. Afraid of losing my lovely house (with a garden!) in the Nieuwe Kijk in ‘t Jatstraat 116. When I moved there in 1975 the rent per month was 90 guilders. When Con and I moved out in 1984 the rent had gone up to 110 guilders! 

Con at our lovely home at the NieuweKijk in’t Jat Straat 116

And so, I stayed and definitely took my time to study ánd have a good time. I remember La Baborack, Grote Leliestraat, with owner Mike. Small ‘brown’ cafe, even turned into a fondue place at one time! I remember Cafe Bakker (pub on the corner, popular on Friday afternoons), I remember De Papagaai at the Nwe. Kerkhof, with Rodney and his liberal pourings of Beerenburg. Need I go on …

Geert Barkhof, me, and Jan van der Leek enjoying our beers at Cafe Bakker

But taking your time has consequences. Although not all of them negative. When I started my studies in 1972, I got a large grant (high average mark for my final exam) and a very small interest free loan. But the longer I took to finish my studies, the smaller the grant (to completely disappear in the end) and the bigger the loan. So as the years passed, more and more of us felt the need to earn a little money on the side.

My friend Geert Barkhof, became student-assistant to Christien Gramser who ran the Zagreb Project. It was an international project, with people collecting English words used in the native language. Several Dutch newspapers were carefully monitored and any Anglicism found, written down on cards by hand. These cards were then filed in drawers and drawers and more drawers in filing cabinets. An endless number of cards, handwritten and then stored. No computers, no programmes to sort them out. And all this to monitor the influence of the English language on the Dutch language. Well, fifty years later, you can hardly imagine that there was a time without these anglicisms! Try doing a crossword, listen to young people, try playing a game or read a book or newspaper! The project was housed in one of the rooms on the third floor. Very often it would be called the ‘Drei Maedel House’: Ank de Witt-Wijnen, Loes Baning, and Liesbeth Verpalen had their desks there. In the picture, you see Christien Gramser, Liesbeth Verpalen, Marja (student assistant), Loes Baning, and Jetty de Vries.

There was another way to earn a little pocket money. You could become a Library-guard:  picking up the keys with the concierge at 18.15 h. and opening the library, so people could come and study. At 22.00 h. the doors were locked again, till the next morning.

Prof. Riewald with Ank de Witt-Wijnen

Prof. Riewald employed two student assistants to help him monitor the Reception of American Literature in the Netherlands. Dutch newspapers and literary magazines were thoroughly checked (by hand/ human eye) for articles on American novels. These articles would then be photocopied and filed away after a short summary was made and the correct source of course added. Together with Leo van Noppen, I took part in this project for two years. It sometimes meant trips to Amsterdam or Utrecht to the University Libraries. Well, when the results were published, that was at least one publication with my name in it!

Since both my parents were dialect speakers ánd since especially my father was very interested in literature written in the Twents or Sallands dialect, it was only natural that that would rub off on me. It ran in the family. An uncle of mine, Henk van der Veen, headmaster of a primary school in Heino, wrote poetry himself. He even had his own programme on Radio Noord. I didn’t speak a dialect properly. My parents never really taught me how to. “What’s a girl to do with a dialect in a big city!” I was born in Enschede! But when love struck when I was 15, and the boy’s mother received me with these words: “Ah, iej bint Annie, dat wichie dat al dee breevn eschreven hef? Komt er in. Wo’j een bakkie leut?” and the only thing I could say was: “Ja, graag mevrouw!” I decided that was to be the last time I couldn’t answer properly. So, I practised hard and I am not perfect, never will be, but I can manage nowadays.

So, when I had to choose a second subject (bijvak), I chose Nedersaksische Literatuur (Lower Saxon Literature). I followed classes with the famous dr. Hendrik Entjes and was the envy of the whole Van der Veen-family! He was a kind of hero to them! I met dr. Fokko Veldman, who taught us a lot about the Groningen dialect and its literature. (Sheer coincidence: his son would be my pupil in later years.) And when a student assistantship was offered at the Nedersaksisch Instituut (Lower Saxon Institute) I was only too happy to jump in. What was the project? We had to copy old 78 rpm records onto cassettes. On those old records were recordings of conversations with or stories told by dialect speakers who had emigrated to e.g. Canada. When they came to the Netherlands to visit their relatives they would kindly participate in the project. These people had spoken their dialect amongst themselves without the devastating influence of the Dutch language and/or Dutch TV and radio, so their dialect would have remained quite pure!  I did this for three years, together with Paula de Valk and Aaltje ter Reegen. Here too, ha ha, my name in a publication!

The second extra subject that I studied was Modern Dutch Literature. To my embarrassment, I remember very little of what we had to study. Were there any lectures?  I doubt it. I would have attended, wouldn’t I?  I remember an oral where I talked about Paul van Ostaijen and his modern approach to poetry.  But that is about it…   sorry!

Of course, there were other jobs as well. Teaching English at the Volksuniversiteit for two years. Having four old-age pensioners over at my place for conversation lessons each week. Loved it! And let us not forget the summer holidays with ELT (European Language Tours). I had the job of course leader for five years. Had great fun and learned so much over there! No, no… what happens in England, stays in England….

What great ways to earn a small income.  But time was catching up with me. I had to take the big leap forward and apply for a real job. January 1980, the Dag Hammarskjold Scholengemeenschap in Assen. I got a job of 20 hours of teaching English Havo bovenbouw. So, I then graduated, found out in June that there were 28 hours…. Found Jan van der Leek more than willing to take a Havo 4 and a Havo 5, and so my teaching career started. Jan was my rock in the beginning. I had not officially taught English before and I learned a lot from him.  He has been a constant factor in my life since 1972 and I am only too grateful for that.

Teaching and books have always been present in my life from the moment I could read. My friends at primary school sometimes would not play with me after school, because I would insist, we play ‘school’. Guess who the teacher was. I am retired now, but have so many lovely memories of my forty years as a teacher, that I must have done at least something right! I do miss my audience. Con is a good listener, but there are always so many wonderful stories to tell, things to do. Small triumphs will always be remembered. A very outspoken student saying: “Ik vind literatuur maar niks, maar zoals Annie het doet is het leuk.” Is that bragging? So be it!

The glorious GLO years at the Dr. Nassau College. (Geïntegreerd Literatuur Onderwijs) Lectures to all the VWO 5 groups in our special lecture hall by colleagues of the different languages. What an honour and a privilege to have played my part in that.  And now as a pensionada, I can read any book I like, whenever I like. Trying to set a good example for the grandchildren! I travel the world, through time and space in my books, and hope that pretty soon (after a successful hip replacement and a well-healed broken ankle) I will be able to go to jolly old England again with my beloved Con.

Annie van der Veen, 1972-1980

I hope that all of you who read this will have found what you were looking for in the study of English Language and Literature in Groningen. I look forward to hearing what your experiences were and how things have changed over the years. Apart of course from the constant factor of Hans Jansen, who has been there for a lot of us throughout the years. Hats off to him!

Was this story too personal to your liking?  Did I bore you? Hope not. I thoroughly enjoyed doing it. Perhaps have a go yourself? I would love to read your memories. I wish you all well. And remember: “Don’t do Anniething I wouldn’t do!”

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Student in the eighties?

This was Annie’s third and final story about studying in the seventies. Now it is time to skip ahead and tell stories about what it was like to study in the eighties. So, dear members: were you a student between 1980 and 1990 and would you like to share your memories & photographs with us? Don’t be shy and send us your personal story!

Spending an afternoon in Stedum with our first-year mentor Henk Dragstra in 1982: from left to right Henk Dragstra, Rini Roerig, Marieke Keur, Kees de Vries, Marjan Brouwers and Lidwien Biekman

From our readers

Most stories in the Anglophile are written by your editors and board members, but we are also happy to publish writings by our dear members, like Annie. In this edition we have no less than three entries by our members, starting with Annie’s final contribution above, about studying English in the seventies. Janny Boers and Fleur Woudstra contributed respectively a cartoon and some writing tips by Hemingway. Enjoy! And keep those stories coming!

Janny Boers found this lovely cartoon by Thom Gauld. He produces incredibly funny books of comics, like The Snooty Bookshop, Revenge of the Librarians, and Baking With Kafka: full of cartoons that make you smile every time. Especially if you like books! His cartoons are also published by The New Yorker and are for sale as postcards and prints. Learn more about his work on his own website. And perhaps to find that special gift for someone hooked on reading!

Do you have the ambition to write short stories or novels? Fleur Woudstra found these seven tips by Ernest Hemingway on the Facebook page Classical Literatures. Learn from the master!

Ernest Hemingway’s Seven Tips for Writing:⁣⁣⁣

  • To get started, write one true sentence.⁣⁣ “Sometimes when I was starting a new story and I could not get it going, I would sit in front of the fire and squeeze the peel of the little oranges into the edge of the flame and watch the sputter of blue that they made. I would stand and look out over the roofs of Paris and think, ‘Do not worry. You have always written before and you will write now.’”⁣⁣⁣⁣
  • Always stop for the day while you still know what will happen next: “The best way is always to stop when you are going good and when you know what will happen next. If you do that every day when you are writing a novel you will never be stuck.”⁣⁣⁣⁣
  • Never think about the story when you’re not working.⁣: “I had learned already never to empty the well of my writing, but always to stop when there was still something there in the deep part of the well, and let it refill at night from the springs that fed it.”⁣⁣⁣⁣
  • When it’s time to work again, always start by reading what you’ve written so far: “When it gets so long that you can’t do this every day read back two or three chapters each day; then each week read it all from the start.”⁣⁣⁣⁣
  • Don’t describe an emotion—make it: “In writing for a newspaper you told what happened and, with one trick and another, you communicated the emotion aided by the element of timeliness which gives a certain emotion to any account of something that has happened on that day; but the real thing, the sequence of motion and fact which made the emotion and which would be as valid in a year or in ten years or, with luck and if you stated it purely enough, always, was beyond me…”⁣⁣
  • Use a pencil: “If you write with a pencil you get three different sights at it to see if the reader is getting what you want him to. First when you read it over; then when it is typed you get another chance to improve it, and again in the proof.”⁣⁣⁣⁣
  • Be Brief: “It wasn’t by accident that the Gettysburg address was so short. The laws of prose writing are as immutable as those of flight, of mathematics, of physics.”

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