Marjolijn Februari is the pen name for Marjolijn Drenth von Februar. Born in Coevorden in 1963, she studied art history, philosophy and law in Utrecht. She received a doctorate for her dissertation on the clash of economics and ethics, which was published in 2000.

Her much-discussed 1989 debut novel 'De zonen van het uitzicht' (The Sons of the View) was awarded the Multatuli Prize and praised for its experimental non-linear style. In 2004 a collection of her newspaper columns was published under the title 'Notes on Moral Confusion.'

Backyard network
Februari's second novel is more traditional in style. Published in 2007, 'De literaire kring' (The Literary Circle) brings to light a shameful episode in recent Dutch history - the sale of contaminated glycerine to Haiti which was used to make cough syrup and resulted in the death of dozens of children. It's a powerful indictment of the so-called "backyard network" in Dutch society.

"Philosophers say that we are defined by our past, by the accumulation of our experiences, decisions and actions, but that doesn't seem to be true of everyone, or if it is, not many are aware of it: they have forgotten too much. And it is not a question of indifference, but a form of detachment."

Critic's praised Februari's use of a broad cultural spectrum - from the sex boycott in Aristophanes' Lysistrata to the television advice guru Dr Phil - and her refined sense of humour which belies the seriousness of the book. It received numerous awards and is due to be published in English translation later this year by Quercus, London.

Inner turmoil
Februari has written a philosophical coming-of-age story for Radio Books. When a famous astrophysicist moves into the neighbourhood, a teenager is suddenly confronted with an existential crisis.

"Had there ever been anything before in his life he hadn't wanted to do? Not that he could remember. Up to now he had found everything understandable, seen it as reasonable, answered politely, kindly agreed to everything, never stood in the way of the course of history and the way the world turned... But now, this, he didn't want to do, his body resisted it, stomach, nerves, bowels, everything rebelled against this thing he didn't want to do but couldn't get out of."

'Rage' by Marjolijn Februari was translated by Michael Blass and read by Jacky Spears.
 

The series Radio Books is an initiative of the Flemish-Dutch Huis de Buren in Brussels, in association with the Flemish radio broadcaster Klara and Radio Netherlands Worldwide.