This book isn't a straight biography. Instead, it zooms in on two explosive chapters from the life of the legendary Dutch writer Multatuli (Eduard Douwes Dekker). Deyssel acts like a literary historian, sifting through the evidence of a major feud.

The Story

The first part investigates the great betrayal. Multatuli, the radical author of Max Havelaar, trusted his friend and fellow writer, Mr. J. van Lennep, to be his literary executor. But after Multatuli's death, van Lennep did the one thing he was asked not to do: he published Multatuli's private letters. These weren't just polite notes; they were raw, emotional, and deeply personal. Deyssel lays out this breach of trust, showing how it shocked the literary world and tarnished Multatuli's carefully managed image.

The second part shifts focus to the women who shaped Multatuli's world. By examining his relationships—with his wives, lovers, and muses—the book gives context to those controversial letters. We see how these women inspired him, supported his work, and became characters in his personal drama, all while their own stories were filtered through his passionate, often difficult, perspective.

Why You Should Read It

What makes this fascinating is the human conflict. It's a timeless story about a friendship destroyed by a clash of principles. Van Lennep probably thought he was preserving history, while Multatuli's ghost might have screamed about privacy. Deyssel doesn't just pick a side; he shows the tragedy of it. You also get a much fuller, messier portrait of Multatuli. He wasn't just a heroic critic of colonialism; he was a complicated, flawed man in his personal life. The book asks tough questions: Who owns a writer's legacy? How much of a person's private life belongs to the public?

Final Verdict

This is a perfect pick for readers who already know a bit about Multatuli and want to go deeper into the man behind the myth. It's also great for anyone who loves literary history that reads like a courtroom drama or a juicy exposé. You don't need to be a scholar to enjoy it—just have a curiosity about the messy, real lives of famous artists. If you prefer straightforward, action-driven plots, this might feel slow. But if you're intrigued by the collision of ego, art, and posterity, Deyssel's investigation is absolutely rewarding.