First edition of Rolien en Ralien: a trailblazing Dutch novel by Josepha Mendels

First edition of Rolien en Ralien—with the rare dust jacket!—a trailblazing Dutch novel by Jewish author Josepha Mendels.

Written during World War II and based on Mendels’s own childhood experiences, the book explores themes of identity, loneliness, and family dynamics. It is particularly notable for its subtle references to female homosexuality, making it one of the earliest Dutch novels to touch on this subject.

The story follows Rolien Kolar, a young Jewish girl who, feeling isolated, creates an imaginary friend, Ralien, to cope with her solitude. Mendels’s light, engaging prose—influenced by Surrealist writers like André Breton—sets this novel apart. Upon publication, the book was praised by critics, including Jan Greshoff, who called it “a complete success.”

About the Author

Josepha Mendels (1902–1995) was a Dutch writer and journalist known for her independent spirit and sharp literary voice. Born into an orthodox Jewish family in Groningen, she initially trained as a teacher before pursuing a career in journalism.

She moved to Paris in 1936, where she worked as a correspondent until World War II forced her into hiding. She later fled to London, where she contributed to Dutch wartime broadcasts. After the war, Mendels returned to Paris, continuing her literary career while raising her son as a single mother.

Mendels wrote several critically acclaimed novels, but Rolien en Ralien remains her most celebrated work, notable for its portrayal of female identity and same-sex attraction.

Read more about Mendels on our blog.