Een Schitterend Gebrek is a 2003 novel by Dutch writer Arthur Japin. It tells the story of Lucia, the first love of Giacomo Casanova, the famous 18th-century Italian adventurer.
The novel is set in 1753 in Pasiano, a small village near Venice. Lucia is a 14-year-old girl who is beautiful, intelligent, and spirited. Casanova is a 17-year-old boy who is handsome, charming, and roguish. The two meet at a carnival and are immediately drawn to each other.
Lucia and Casanova spend a passionate summer together, but their love is forbidden. Casanova is from a lower social class than Lucia, and her family will never allow them to be together. In the end, Casanova is forced to leave Pasiano and Lucia behind.
Themes
- Love and loss: The novel is a love story about two young people who are deeply in love but are unable to be together. Japin explores the pain and heartache of loss, as well as the enduring power of love.
- Social class: The novel is also about the social barriers that can prevent people from being together. Lucia and Casanova come from different social classes, and their love is ultimately forbidden. Japin explores the ways in which social class can shape people’s lives and determine their destinies.
- Identity: The novel is also about identity and self-discovery. Lucia and Casanova are both searching for their place in the world, and their relationship helps them to understand themselves better. Japin explores the process of becoming an adult and the challenges of finding one’s place in the world.
Critical reception
Een Schitterend Gebrek was a critical and commercial success. It won the Libris Literatuurprijs in 2003, one of the most prestigious literary awards in the Netherlands. The novel has been translated into over 20 languages and has been adapted into a film and an opera.
Film adaptation
In 2009, Een Schitterend Gebrek was adapted into a film directed by Stephen Fry. The film stars Stephen Fry as Casanova and Sylvia Hoeks as Lucia. The film was a critical and commercial success, and it was nominated for several Golden Calf awards.
Opera adaptation
In 2015, Een Schitterend Gebrek was adapted into an opera by Dutch composer Michel van der Aa. The opera premiered at the Nederlandse Opera in Amsterdam and was well-received by critics.
Legacy
Een Schitterend Gebrek is considered to be one of the most important Dutch novels of the 21st century. It is a moving and thought-provoking story about love, loss, and identity. The novel has been praised for its beautiful writing, its complex characters, and its exploration of universal themes.