Cornelis Johannes Kieviet
Jongens van Oudt-Holland
"Jongens van Oudt-Holland" by Cornelis Johannes Kieviet is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. The story is set in the late 17th century and revolves around the adventures of young boys living in the village of West-Saardam during the time of Czar Peter the Great’s visit to the Netherlands. The narrative focuses particularly on the character Jan Willemsz, who, amid difficult familial circumstances, dreams of joining the whaling trade to support his widowed mother and younger siblings. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Jan, a boy burdened by his family's poverty after the death of his father, a whaling sailor. Struggling to find food for his family, Jan is initially hesitant to appeal to a local merchant for help due to his embarrassment. However, after some heartfelt exchanges with his mother, he resolves to seek a position as a kajuitswachter (cabin boy) on a whaling ship, the Bonte Calff. The opening chapters depict the deep familial bonds and the sacrifices the characters are willing to make, setting the stage for Jan's upcoming challenges and the thrilling adventures that await him in the dangerous world of whaling.