Luuk Gruwez
Luuk Gruwez (b. 1953) made his debut in 1973 with the collection Stofzuigergedichten (Vacuum Cleaner Poetry) in 1973. Several collections of poems have been published since. With fellow-author Eriek Verpale he compiled the collections of letters and stories Onder vier ogen (In Private) and Siamees dagboek (Siamese Diary). His poetic style is often described as sensual and earthly. The collection Dikke mensen (Fat People, 1990) is an ode to men’s vulnerability and weakness; for Vuile manieren (Filthy Manners, 1995) he was awarded the Hugues C. Pernath Prize. In 1995, he received the Geertjan Lubberhuizen Award for his moving compilation of stories, memories and portraits Het bal van opa Bing (Grandpa Bing’s Ball). Its seven chapters demonstrate his skills as a pitiless and yet loving portraitist. He presents his readers with a colourful variety of real or imaginary characters who have influenced his evolution from poet to prose writer and storyteller.
