Writer Peter van Gestel (81) died

In his hometown of Amsterdam past writer Peter van Gestel passed away on Friday at the age of 81. Van Gestel debuted in 1962 with the collection of stories Drempelvrees, crowned with the Reina Prinsen Geerligsprijs. 

In his hometown of Amsterdam past writer Peter van Gestel passed away on Friday at the age of 81. Van Gestel debuted in 1962 with the collection of stories Drempelvrees , crowned with the Reina Prinsen Geerligsprijs.

After Van Gestel was asked in 1979 to write for the children's section of Vrij Nederland , he grew to become one of the most appreciated children's book writers in the Netherlands.

Highlights of his works are Mariken (crowned with a Silver Granger), That day at the sea , Sleeping and schooieren and Winterijs , for which he received the Woutertje Pieterse prize.

Van Gestel also worked as a dramaturge at the NCRV and worked on, among other things, De Wassende Water by Herman de Man for television. In 2006 he received the triennial Theo Thijssen prize for his entire oeuvre.