In the original language (dutch), this short-story is titled »Het Gouden Ei« which means »The Golden Egg«. And this golden egg is just one out of many elements in the subtle symbolism of this story by Tim Krabbé.

It is basicly a crime story, and even one with no great surprises. At least not concerning what happens in the story itself. Even the ending is of little surprise (this, however, does not make it less scary!). But the way in which it is all told is of pretty high level. It is a simple story, with a lot of subtle elements, told in an exciting manner, written in a simple language.

All in all recommendable. Especially for impatient people.

I wanted to give this book five stars, or at the least four, I really did, but then I went away to college and took this class.......... "The Vanishing" is disturbing, no doubt about it. The ending is horrific and the fact that Lemorne is rewarded at the end of the novel for his deeds is just plain wrong...but still, there's something about this story that grabbed ahold of me... The think you need to watch the Dutch film as well as read this novel, (it's also written by Krabbe) because it wasn't until the final scene that what I truly liked about this novel was hammered home. This is a novel about love, and about two people who are reunited in death. Rex's obsession with Saskia can be viewed as damaging, but it can also be viewed as something of beauty, to want, no, to need something so much that you're willing to die for it (not that I recommend anyone going the same route of Rex). It's hard to recommend this book because it can have an affect on a person, which I think is an aspect of good writing. This book isn't perfect, far from it, but I do think it's worthwhile to read and that someone can pull something valuable out of it (just switch the ending so Lemorne gets eaten by a pool of hungry pirahna, I think).

Rex Hofmann and his girlfriend Saskia Ehlvest, a young Dutch couple, are on their way to the South of France. At a Fina gas station they stop to stretch their legs and have something to drink. Waiting for his girlfriend to return, Rex decides to take a picture of the gas station. He does not know that this picture will be the only clue as to what happened to Saskia at that same moment. Years later he still cannot comprehend her disappearance and embarks on an obsessive search for her.

This rather short story has a really sharp edge to it. The very well written plot builds up to suspenseful finale, where the reader is enticed to a dance with his own conscience: Can not knowing the truth become an obsession that drives you to the extreme? One thing is certain: this story will not leave your mind easily. It is a disturbing little bugger, but one you cannot but love for its genuineness.

This novella, written in 1984 by the Dutch writer Tim Krabbe, is titled "Het gouden ei" (The Golden Egg) and has been made into a Dutch movie "Spoorloos" (Untraceable) in 1988. This movie is sometimes even more disturbing that the original story, because the scenario, also written by Tim, is more elaborate and the characters seem to have obtained more depth. In 1993 an American remake "The Vanishing" was created, starring Jeff Bridges, Kiefer Sutherland, Nancy Travis and Sandra Bullock. But, believe me: you better skip this monster of a movie.

A hidden past revealed when a son finally faces the silence of the memories of a father and mother who were caught in Indonesia during WWII. Their son describes the horror, the fate, and family failures in a dark story. Excellent translation.