De Wandelende Jood, by August Vermeylen, Published by C.A.J. van Dishoeck, Bussum. Netherlands, 1906 – First Edition. The Legend of the Wandering Jew – A Dutch Antisemitic Version Depicting the Punishment of the Wandering Jew in an Endless Spiritual Search.
An early Dutch version depicting the Jew Ahasuerus (as he is named in the original legend), who, as punishment for his disrespect towards the Christian Messiah, is condemned to an endless spiritual search for happiness, the meaning of life, and self-identity. Throughout history, he tries various ways of introspection, adopts and abandons the Christian perspective, engages in mystical contemplation with a hermit monk in the forest, embraces different and bizarre views on death, and makes countless attempts to adopt various lifestyles. Ultimately, when he is exhausted and confused by the multitude of perspectives and opinions, he realizes, as an “educational” act (with an antisemitic tone), that true fulfillment for a person lies in serving the community and abandoning personal interest. The book is considered a key work in Flemish literature from the early 20th century.
99 pages. General condition very good.
