A sparkling debut under a captivating pen name

The writing journey of A.F.Th. van der Heijden began under the pseudonym Patrizio Canaponi. This flamboyant name belonged to a half-Italian alter ego, whose origins could be traced back to a memorable boat ride from Messina to Genoa. With a pen just as extravagant and baroque as his persona, Canaponi's first work, the short story collection "Een gondel in de Herengracht" (1978),was immediately hailed as a significant debut. The following year, Canaponi released his first novel, "De draaideur." Now, in this compilation of Patrizio Canaponi's collected works, readers can relish in both of these masterpieces, enriched further by the inclusion of "De gebroken pagaai," a novella that he had sent to his future publisher back in 1977, but went unpublished at the time.

An invitation into a world of vibrant imagination

Step into the enchanting realm created by A.F.Th. van der Heijden through his alter ego, Patrizio Canaponi. Immerse yourself in the eloquent prose and captivating storytelling that characterized Canaponi's (and Van der Heijden's) debut works, "Een gondel in de Herengracht" (1978) and "De draaideur." This collection of Canaponi's collected works also invites you to discover the hidden gem, "De gebroken pagaai," a novella penned in 1977. Feel the waves of inspiration washing over you as you explore the literary landscape crafted by this talented writer.