Hi everyone
Today, I want to talk about Autobiografie van mijn lichaam
(Autobiography of My Body) by Lize Spit. This Flemish novel hasn’t been
translated into English yet, but it’s so powerful that I couldn’t not
share my thoughts on it. If you’re open to discovering international
literature, this is one to keep on your radar.
I got this one from our local library. They don't have a SFF section so I mostly go there for our children.
"Altijd als mijn ouders uitreiken: iets in mij wat naar binnen klapt, zoals een boksbal op de kermis uit de automaat tevoorschijn komt nadat er een munt wordt ingebracht, klaar om geramd te worden.
Eind 2021 krijgt Lize Spit een mailtje waarin haar moeder laat weten dat ze ongeneeslijk ziek is. Nu haar moeder nog maar kort te leven heeft, onderneemt Lize een laatste toenaderingspoging. Nooit eerder was het vinden van de juiste woorden zo lastig, nooit eerder was het zo noodzakelijk.
Autobiografie van mijn lichaam is een radicaal eerlijk en aangrijpend onderzoek van een dochter die niet alleen de moeizame relatie met haar moeder probeert te begrijpen, maar ook de verstoorde relatie tot haar eigen lichaam."
Autobiografie van mijn lichaam is an intimate, memoir-like novel where Lize Spit reflects on her life; her childhood, her relationship with her mother, and her own body. The book alternates between her mother’s terminal illness and flashbacks to her traumatic upbringing, creating a raw, emotional portrait of how past trauma shape the present.
What I loved most was how honest and self-critical Spit’s writing is. She doesn’t shy away from the ugly or painful truths. It’s eye-opening, relatable, and deeply moving. As someone who lives with chronic depression, I recognized much of myself in her writing. Her struggles and growth, her relationship with her body felt painfully familiar and incredibly validating. There’s something powerful about reading a book that puts words to experiences you’ve felt but couldn’t articulate.
While I really connected with the story, I struggled with the typical Flemish writing style. It often feels like Flemish and Dutch authors lean into vulgarity, not for depth or realism, but for shock value. The focus on the sexual body and very crude and vulgar language often felt unnecessary, as if it were there just to provoke rather than enhance the narrative. It’s a shame, because the emotional core of the book is so strong that it doesn’t need those elements to be impactful.
Despite my frustration with the style, Autobiografie van mijn lichaam is a book that stays with you. It’s not an easy read, it’s painful, confrontational, and deeply personal,but it’s also brave and important. Spit’s willingness to confront her past and explore her relationship with her body makes this book a must-read for anyone who’s ever struggled with self-acceptance, trauma, or the weight of family.
Have you read any Flemish or Dutch books that left an impact on you? I’d love to hear which ones!
Happy reading!
Helena
