PART 1: HUORREBERN (Frisian for: bastard)
According to Rick, Maan is beautiful but stark raving
mad. He tells the most wonderful stories about Louis Thunderhead,
a baron who’s half frog, half human. Maan's eccentric mother
Saskia's is also crazy. Yet, Rick is head over heels in love with Maan.
He struggles with his feelings. Especially after Maan tells him that
he’s really a girl. That goes right against his desire to be accepted in his
neighbourhood. He wants to belong to the tough guys of his rugby
club, but he’s an outcast. After his initial hesitations, however, he is
convinced that he and Maan are destined for each other. Then he
meets uncle Cornelis. This sympathetic friend of Maan's family
wants to travel together with Maan, to Amsterdam with his ship.
There is a clinic where they can help Maan to become a girl. Rick is
determined to go along with them. Uncle Cornelis has his own
reasons to visit Amsterdam.
PART 2: DANTUMADIEL
Maan and Rick lose touch with each other for years. In their mid-twenties they are living separate lives in Amsterdam. Maan is a trans woman and a model. Rick is a photographer and in a relationship with Esther, a journalist. But when they meet again Rick is still under Maan’s spell. Maan takes Rick and Esther to a journey along the fascinating subculture of Amsterdam. A Sodom and Gomorrah of exorbitant parties at secret locations. Esther notices Rick’s fascination for Maan. There are more occurrences that eventually will bring them back to Dantumadiel. There follows a dramatic denouement.
The low sun was shining into my face. I blinked my eyes. Where was I? I saw a meadow with a ditch. An ordinary meadow with a ditch near the Frisian Dantumadiel where I lived with my father. Though, ordinary? Was I imagining it, or was the grass greener and the watershinier than usual? The landscape seemed deserted by all. Silent like a photograph or a painting. Life seemed to be sucked out. Beautiful but dead. I heard no sound, perceived no life. But yes! There, across the ditch I saw you. I thought you were special with those flaxen hair,your flowery blouse and black corduroy shorts with suspenders. You bent down to pick something up. Then you straightened up and saw me. You looked at me. Bright blue eyes pierced my soul. I was enchanted. I had to look at you and for a time I didn't know what to say. We were just standing there, opposite each other, on either side of the ditch."What's your name?" I finally asked."Maan," you said solemnly. "And what's your name?”Despite my striking crimson hair I suddenly found himself plain and boring. I wasn’t pretty, wore very ordinary clothes and had no peculiar name. I hesitated, but said finally, "My name is Rick." And then quickly: "Would you like to be my friend?""Okay", you said.
