Gerard Reve
Writing
Biography
Gerard Kornelis van het Reve (1923 – 2006) was a Dutch writer. He started writing as Simon van het Reve and later adopted the shorter Gerard Reve. Together with Willem Frederik Hermans and Harry Mulisch, he is considered one of the "Great Three" (De Grote Drie) of Dutch post-war literature. Reve was one of the first homosexual authors to come out in the Netherlands. The humorous and recognisable way he wrote about erotic attraction and sexual relations strongly contributed to making homosexuality acceptable for many of his readers, and one could argue he influenced general opinion on the subject in Dutch society. Reve insisted that homosexuality was merely a motif in his work, the deeper theme being the inadequacy of human love. Among his most famous works are De Avonden (The Evenings, 1947), Werther Nieland (1949), Nader tot U (Nearer to Thee, 1966), Oud en Eenzaam (Old and Lonely, 1978) and De Vierde Man (The Fourth Man, 1981). The latter was the basis for Paul Verhoeven's film of the same name.
Known For
Morbid Catholic writer Gerard Reve–bisexual, alcoholic, and experiencing frequent visions of death–is invited to give a lecture at the Vlissingen literature club. While in the Amsterdam railway station, he's attracted to a handsome man who embarks on another train. Gerard meets club treasurer and beautician Christine Halsslag, and engage in a one-night-stand. The next morning, Gerard sees a picture of Christine's boyfriend Herman and recognises him as the man at the train station. He urges her to bring Herman to her house to spend a couple of days together, but with ulterior intentions of seduction. During a night on his own, Gerard finds and watches film reels, discovering that Christine had married each; all of whom died in tragic accidents. Believing Christine is a Black Widow, Gerard begins to question whether Herman or he will be her doomed fourth man.
The 4th Man
Lieve Jongens explores the sexual fantasies of a middle-aged writer and the handsome young men who dominate his life. Wolf, a successful writer of romantic novels, is plagued by self doubt and writer's block. Though pleasant looking and well-preserved, he fears age will rob him of the youthful companionship he so desperately craves. With the help of his equally randy and manipulative young sex partner, Wolf plots to seduce the gentle Muskrat from the arms of a much older lover.
Dear Boys
Frits Egters can't quite get a hold of himself. An intelligent and sensitive young man, repulsion and desillusion turned him cynical. According to Frits there should be more to life - he just doesn't know where to find it.
Evenings
A 45-minute absurdist musical special built around the works of Dutch writer Gerard Reve and presented by the man himself. Featuring poems, songs, sketches, alcohol, tango and a rather special donkey.