Willem Elsschot

Willem Elsschot (1882 – 1960) was the pseudonym of Alfons de Ridder, head of a successful advertising agency who, unbeknownst to his family, was a hugely successful novelist in his spare time. Cheese, his breakthrough novel, was first published in Dutch in 1933 and is also published by Granta. Paul Vincent taught Dutch language and literature for many years at London University before becoming a full-time translator in 1989. He has translated various Dutch prose writers, including Harry Mulisch, Margriet de Moor, J. Bernlef and H. M. van den Brink.

Publications

Villa Des Roses

Willem Elsschot

Translated by Paul Vincent

The gilt-lettered advertisement outside Madame Brulot’s pension in the shabby rue d’Armaille promises a ‘first-class family boarding house’ and ‘modern conveniences’. One thing is certain: few emerge from their stay at the Villa des Roses unscathed. The seduction of the new maid Louise, the tragic suicide of Monsieur Brizard, the champagne birthday party for Madame Dumoulin, the antics of Chico the monkey – these are just some of the incidents and characters that cause a sensation in the bittersweet and blackly comic world of the Villa des Roses.

Willem Elsschot

Publications

Villa Des Roses

Willem Elsschot

Translated by Paul Vincent

£8.99

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