The Little Bun

Cyriel BuysseProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.6

Word count: 301K words
Chapters: 31

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today. 't Bolleken by Cyriel Buysse. Author: Buysse, Cyriel, 1859-1932. Language: Dutch. Class: PT: Language and Literatures: Germanic, Scandinavian, and Icelandic literatures. Release Date: Jun 7, 2015

Editor's review

't Bolleken is a work in Dutch by the Belgian author Cyriel Buysse (1859–1932), now available as a free electronic edition from Project Gutenberg. Buysse was a leading figure in Flemish naturalism, and his work often draws on village and small-town life, focusing on ordinary people and human weakness. The book is short, and its language carries a regional Flemish Dutch flavor, making it a useful entry point for readers new to the literature of the Low Countries. It is best read in the context of late nineteenth-century European naturalism, alongside French and German realist works of the same period, to appreciate Buysse's cool, restrained observation of life. For readers learning Dutch or studying Flemish culture, this free electronic edition offers low-cost access to an original text; general readers can treat it as a brief excursion into another literary tradition. Note that the language differs from standard modern Dutch and that the edition lacks notes or an introduction, so some linguistic or background preparation is advisable.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Language learners of Dutch who want to read Flemish literature in the original
Readers interested in late nineteenth-century European naturalism
Readers researching Belgian or Flemish culture who need primary texts
General readers who enjoy short narratives and non-English European literature

Not a good fit for

Readers with no Dutch who are unwilling to use a dictionary or a translation
Beginners looking for detailed notes, introductions, or scholarly guidance
Readers who prefer tightly plotted genre fiction with strong dramatic conflict

Reading tips

Learn the basics of Buysse and Flemish naturalism first; the text will be easier to follow.
Note regional vocabulary and spelling differences as you go, then look them up afterward to avoid interrupting the reading flow.
Read alongside other naturalist short works to see Buysse's approach to character and scene.
If the language barrier is high, read a Chinese or English translation first for the plot, then return to the original for its texture.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

How difficult is the language, and what background do I need?

The original is in Dutch with Flemish regional features, and its vocabulary and spelling differ from standard modern Dutch. Readers with intermediate Dutch can attempt it, perhaps with a dictionary; complete beginners should start with a translation or read bilingually.

What are the features of the Project Gutenberg edition?

It is a free electronic edition from Project Gutenberg, easy to download and read on the go, but it generally has no notes, introduction, or scholarly appendix. Readers who need background explanations should consult additional references.

Where does Buysse stand in literary history?

Cyriel Buysse was a leading figure in Flemish naturalism. His work often draws on village and small-town life and is written in a cool, restrained style. Knowing this literary context helps in understanding the book's narrative approach and characterization.

Comments

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About the author

Cyriel Buysse Author · Belgian · 1859–1932

Cyriel Buysse (1859–1932) was a Belgian Flemish novelist and playwright and a representative of Flemish naturalism; he took part in founding the literary magazine Van Nu en Straks. He drew mainly on Flemish rural and regional life, writing with a cool, ironic touch and a keen eye for the everyday circumstances of peasants and small-town figures. His representative works include 'The Van Paemel Family', 'The Life of Rozeke van Dalen' (in two parts) and 'The Little Donkey'. This library holds 17 of his works, including 'From Flanders', 'Guustje and Zieneken: Sketches of Peasant Life', 'Brother and Sister', 'The Black Food' and 'The Merry Journey', spanning short sketches, longer fiction and drama. Public information is limited, so biographical details are omitted here, yet his work remains representative of the Flemish naturalist tradition.