Hella Haasse

Hella Haasse
Amsterdam, July 2006
Amsterdam, July 2006
BornHélène Serafia Haasse
2 February 1918
Batavia, Dutch East Indies
Died29 September 2011(2011-09-29) (aged 93)
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Alma materUniversity of Amsterdam
Period1948–2011
SubjectHistorical novels, Dutch East Indies-Netherlands relationship
Notable awards19 total
(inc. 2 honorary degrees and P.C. Hooft Award)
SpouseJan van Lelyveld
(1944–2008; his death); 3 children

Hélène "Hella" Serafia Haasse (2 February 1918 – 29 September 2011)[1] was a Dutch writer, often referred to as the "Grande Dame" of Dutch literature,[2] and whose novel Oeroeg (1948) was a staple for generations of Dutch schoolchildren.[3] Her internationally acclaimed magnum opus is Heren van de Thee, translated to The Tea Lords.[4] In 1988 Haasse was chosen to interview the Dutch Queen for her 50th birthday after which celebrated Dutch author Adriaan van Dis called Haasse "the Queen among authors".[5]

Haasse has the first Dutch digital online museum dedicated to the life and work of an author. The museum was opened in 2008 on her 90th birthday.[6]

Haasse has an asteroid named after her.[7]

  1. ^ Notice of death if Hella Haasse[permanent dead link] (in Dutch)
  2. ^ "Hella Haasse: Grande Dame van de literatuur". de Volkskrant. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
  3. ^ Bockma, Harmen (30 September 2011). "Schrijfster Hella Haasse overleden". de Volkskrant. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
  4. ^ Evans, Julian The Tea Lords by Hella S Haasse – review (The Guardian, Saturday 4 December 2010)The Guardian and Observer Online Book Review
  5. ^ "Official Online Hella Haasse Museum". Archived from the original on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 6 October 2011.
  6. ^ "Official Online Hella Haasse Museum". Archived from the original on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 6 October 2011.
  7. ^ "Official Online Hella Haasse Museum". Archived from the original on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 6 October 2011.