Biography

Streuvels work usually deals with the rural life of poor farmers in Flanders.

His novels 'De teleurgang van de waterhoek' was made into a film titled 'Mira'. Also 'De vlaschaard' (twice) and' De blijde dag' were filmed.

Before appearing in book form, De vlaschaard was published in the Dutch magazine De Beweging. This was an appropriate first home for the novel because the magazine's editor, Albert Verwey, deliberately gathered authors who were able to rise above the prevailing naturalism and be inspired by what he called 'the Idea', a symbolist assimilation of sensory perceptions. After reading Streuvels's manuscript Verwey enthusiastically stated: 'If the sun could write, it would write like Streuvels.'.

Even in the 21st century the reader cannot help but be moved by the compelling power of Streuvels's descriptions of nature. It is not necessary to know that the author was a baker who spent his whole life in direct contact with traditionally closed country folk. His work shows clearly that he knew their language and character inside out and was deeply inspired by nature. The changing seasons and the power of the elements are convincingly evoked. Lovingly and yet dramatically, the author depicts the conversations and summer festivals of the peasants who, within their limited human possibilities, are integrated within nature as a whole.

He became doctor honoris causa at the University of Leuven, the University of Münster and the University of Pretoria.