In response to the beautiful story Het Lente-eiland (Spring Island) published by the poet and writer J. Slauerhoff in 1933, Marco van Duyvendijk spent time on Gulangyu, the Chinese island where the story is set, in the spring of 2008. The book contains the original story in Dutch and its Chinese translation. Designed by Rick Vermeulen, this book has been chosen as one of the Best Dutch Book Designs of 2008. From the jury report:

Van Duyvendijk’s work is of such penetrating poetic and visual beauty that one could not wish for a better way to make Slauerhoff’s work tangible and understandable. The beautiful photography closely follows the poem with which the story concludes. The typography, in combination with the Chinese characters, the wide interline, and ditto white margins, can almost be called sensual. […] One cannot help but conclude that designer Rick Vermeulen has succeeded in bringing all the components together in a striking manner. A precious gem is the result, a book to cherish as a gift from heaven. Connoisseurs may find this unnecessary, but for a new generation still unfamiliar with Slauerhoff’s work, this is an irresistible invitation to get to know his work better.

Special edition
Het Lente-eiland is also available as special edition of 100 signed and stamped copies, containing a small c-print (14,5 by 20 cm).