Deliverance

Gothic fiction is for those who have enough of romance and realism. There's American Gothic fiction, also English Gothic novel. How about Dutch Gothic fiction? Ask Gerard Reve.

Gerard Reve, along with Willem Frederik Hermans and Harry Mulisch, are considered one of the "Great Three" of Dutch post-war literature. He was born on December 14, 1923, so it's not hard to imagine how the events that happened during his younger years would influence his literary preference. He didn't write "The Fourth Man" to push buttons, emphasizing that the main theme of his works is man's salvation from materialism. But the novel generated controversy.

The principal character, a writer like the author himself, is a homosexual. Sexual orientation can put a Dutch man into serious trouble back then. In fact, the novel did made authorities worried. But there was more. They came in symbols.

I had a dream

Gerard had the same dream over and over again. He had vague memories of it, but it was telling him something. It could be a warning. He was invited to a speaking engagement, where he met Christine. Inside her car, he saw a photograph of Herman, her boyfriend. He must meet him, so he asked her if they would meet again.

Gerard was preoccupied with the attendants, and then his meeting with Christine, such that he didn't notice the Bloody Mary being served. Moments later, he saw a woman peeling an apple and then shaped the (apple) peel into a halo. Outside, the breeze carried red flower petals. They could be nothing. They may be something. The writer only remembered his dreams weeks later, when he was living with Christine. This time, he recalled the details. There was an old man, who kept on repeating the same question. Who would be the fourth man? He kept on telling himself that this wasn't a sign, until he saw a chest resembling a coffin. Papers were found inside, which scared him.

It was a fantastic tale, which Gerard recounted to his friend. The events took place years later. Readers couldn't help but wonder if this was a premise of a new novel that the writer was working on these past months. However, there was a sign on the way to the venue of their meeting. Donate your blood to the Red Cross. They also learned that Herman died from a horrific car accident after Gerard left Christine's house. The frame narrative approach would reveal something.

Was Gerard a changed man after his affair with Christine?

A little bit of everything

Readers would see Christine as a savior and a temptress. Did Gerard's dream saved him from being the fourth man on her list? The contents of the chest showed her to be married before. Thrice. It was clear she divorced her ex-husbands. Did they experienced the same fate like Herman? It would be coincidence if it was the case. Religion was another theme, which Reve was subtle.

The story has all the ingredients of a fine Gothic book. As for the dream, one can't help but wonder.