Untitled - Uitgeverij Cossee

Jan van Mersbergen – Control of the VehicleRonnie’s life seems to have just a few simple pleasures; his racing car, beer, girls and his job asa helping hand on construction sites. But he and his friends stop yelling and bragging whentheir unsung hero Leon drives his car into a tree. Then everything in Ronnie’s life acceleratesand turns it all upside down in just a few days.And because Ronnie isn’t able to talk about himself and his inner feelings those days almoststrangle him. His pneumatic drill says more than Ronnie himself. Leon’s funeral is planned inthe same weekend that the annual fair visits the town. What used to be a welcome break ofeveryday life has turned into a frightening festival. A man working at one of the fair attractionshas such charm (and such an exuberant car) that Ronnie and his friends feel intimidated. ButRonnie has more eye for the man’s charm than his car.‘A great anger buzzes and flows in this novel.’ – Kees ‘t HartAuthor: Jan van MersbergenAuthor: Jan van MersbergenTitle: Control of the Vehicle (fiction)Title: The Rat in Heaven (fiction)Original title: De macht over het stuurOriginal title: De hemelratPublished: 2003 Published: 2005Size: 176 pages / 54.000 wordsSize: 176 pages / 49.000 words‘The Rat in Heaven is a classic.’ – De StandaardJan van Mersbergen – The Rat in HeavenEward, student in the hospital’s laboratory, breaks one of the rules; he steals one of the labrats and takes it home in its little cage. On the tram a girl sits next to him and asks what hehas in his cage.His study is a struggle, he feels lost in the city and unable to direct his love to anyone hedirects it towards the rat and the girl who regularly visits the hospital. He wants to knowmore about her. Is she visiting someone in the hospital or is she a patient herself? And if sheisn’t a patient, who is she visiting and why so often? And why is she suddenly standing at hisdoor?Jan van Mersbergen spins a fine woven web around Edward. With a subtle and suggestivestyle he unfolds the lives of the sensitive young man and the girl who are both looking forsomething. But maybe they are not looking for the same thing?