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Braaf
Wat doet een man die van dieren houdt, die behalve reeën en paarden vier honden heeft en wiens trouwe jachthond langzamerhand de leeftijd der zéér sterken heeft bereikt? Hoe moeilijk het hem ook valt, hij gaat op zoek naar een opvolger.
Hij kijkt rond, hij wikt en weegt en ondertussen haalt hij herinneringen op aan zijn eigen honden en aan de vele grappige, treffende, ontroerende avonturen die hij ermee heeft beleefd.
Tot het onvermijdelijke gebeurt: de oude generatie sterft, een nieuwe generatie honden dolt door huize Poortvliet.
Dit is, kort gezegd, de inhoud van Rien Poortvliets schitterende boek Braaf. Geen serieuze hondenencyclopedie, maar een in meer dan 200 briljante olieverven en aquarellen verteld kostelijk verhaal vol anekdotes, avonturen, humor en... honden.
Hij kijkt rond, hij wikt en weegt en ondertussen haalt hij herinneringen op aan zijn eigen honden en aan de vele grappige, treffende, ontroerende avonturen die hij ermee heeft beleefd.
Tot het onvermijdelijke gebeurt: de oude generatie sterft, een nieuwe generatie honden dolt door huize Poortvliet.
Dit is, kort gezegd, de inhoud van Rien Poortvliets schitterende boek Braaf. Geen serieuze hondenencyclopedie, maar een in meer dan 200 briljante olieverven en aquarellen verteld kostelijk verhaal vol anekdotes, avonturen, humor en... honden.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1983
1 person is currently reading
110 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 9, 2021
Par tādu skaistumu viennozīmīgi 5 zvaigznes. Šo grāmatu var lietot gan kā kafijas galdiņa bilžu albumu, gan mācību līdzekli suņu zīmēšanā. Es varētubbezgalīgi pētīt skaistos zīmējumus un gleznas, mēģināt darīt tādā pašā tehnikā.
May 16, 2021
Rien Poortvliet is a famous Dutch author and illustrator who made a handful of books in the 1970s-90s that focus heavily on animals and nature.
I've been collecting all of the books I can find over the last couple of years and this one is definitely among my favorites.
I love, love, love the amazing hand-drawn portraits of various dog breeds and the little snippets of info regarding their breed history, lore and behaviors.
The anecdotes from the author's life and his much-loved pooches are truly memorable - I laughed out loud when he shared the potty-training woes with his dachshund (having to run the dog outside and the dog so surprised at being scooped up that the little guy just began peeing in the air).
The one word of warning to parents - the author made this book for adults (not children), so there are occasionally inappropriate stories and at least one dog death that was done in a way not for children.
That being said, I still rather enjoyed this story and set of illustrations. So beautifully drawn.
I've been collecting all of the books I can find over the last couple of years and this one is definitely among my favorites.
I love, love, love the amazing hand-drawn portraits of various dog breeds and the little snippets of info regarding their breed history, lore and behaviors.
The anecdotes from the author's life and his much-loved pooches are truly memorable - I laughed out loud when he shared the potty-training woes with his dachshund (having to run the dog outside and the dog so surprised at being scooped up that the little guy just began peeing in the air).
The one word of warning to parents - the author made this book for adults (not children), so there are occasionally inappropriate stories and at least one dog death that was done in a way not for children.
That being said, I still rather enjoyed this story and set of illustrations. So beautifully drawn.
September 23, 2022
Wow, what an artist. This is the same artist/author who does the Gnome books. He does an amazing job capturing the likeness of a lot of dog breeds. He has a great way of capturing the eyes of the dog and hinting of the soul of a dog within. All his artwork is great, but the big paintings of hunting dogs in the wild are my favorites. Also lots of fun are his little pictures of him and the dogs as he tells his stories. I wouldn't mind buying some of his art to hang on a wall. You can look up 'Rien Poortvliet dog artwork' for images you will see what I mean.
The text that goes with the artwork is a little all over the place. He talks about his current old dogs, which is nice. (Some Kleenex needed at one point but it is brief). Then he talks about new puppies which is very enjoyable. In those stories are a fair amount of notes and pictures of some of the less than pleasant things you have to deal with dogs and especially puppies but it just makes you laugh.
There is some other stuff he writes that seems a bit odd or different. He has a page with bits on people buying dogs for the wrong reasons, including a lady who wanted a dog. "what kind of dog madam?" Well, she thought she wanted one to match her coat. He sent her away without a dog.
There is a part on a man who is a timid underdog at work, so bullies his dog when he gets home. A bit makes a reference to another favorite pursuit: the possession of as many ribbons and trophies as possible. The most startling picture was after talking about how he and his wife dress to handle the dogs, but we're fearful of what may happen to well-dressed visitors. Then when you turn the page you see a detailed picture of two young ladies in the underwear with dresses hanging up to dry and four dogs watching them. The text says "As a matter of fact, a few days ago we had visitors who had to wait quite a while until their dresses were finally clean and dry again - what a mess.......... truthfully, this is just a bad joke." The picture wasn't obscene, just out of the blue and so the shock was funny.
Another fun part was with pictures starting with him looking down at a tiny dachshund puppy with this text:
"It's a wonder that at this distance we're able to communicate with each other!
I held a yardstick next to him, the little guy is 5 1/2 inches tall and I am 6'2 1/2". So my height is 13 times bigger
Imagine it the other way around - 6' 2 1/2" x 13 = 80' 7".
It would take a lot of courage to stand there and wave to a creature about 80 feet tall."
I have a couple of dozen dog books I would consider coffee table books of which I will add this one to that group. I think out of all of them, if I had a guest come over and was willing to look at one, this would be the one I would pull out to show them. And one I would want to crack open and look at again.
The text that goes with the artwork is a little all over the place. He talks about his current old dogs, which is nice. (Some Kleenex needed at one point but it is brief). Then he talks about new puppies which is very enjoyable. In those stories are a fair amount of notes and pictures of some of the less than pleasant things you have to deal with dogs and especially puppies but it just makes you laugh.
There is some other stuff he writes that seems a bit odd or different. He has a page with bits on people buying dogs for the wrong reasons, including a lady who wanted a dog. "what kind of dog madam?" Well, she thought she wanted one to match her coat. He sent her away without a dog.
There is a part on a man who is a timid underdog at work, so bullies his dog when he gets home. A bit makes a reference to another favorite pursuit: the possession of as many ribbons and trophies as possible. The most startling picture was after talking about how he and his wife dress to handle the dogs, but we're fearful of what may happen to well-dressed visitors. Then when you turn the page you see a detailed picture of two young ladies in the underwear with dresses hanging up to dry and four dogs watching them. The text says "As a matter of fact, a few days ago we had visitors who had to wait quite a while until their dresses were finally clean and dry again - what a mess.......... truthfully, this is just a bad joke." The picture wasn't obscene, just out of the blue and so the shock was funny.
Another fun part was with pictures starting with him looking down at a tiny dachshund puppy with this text:
"It's a wonder that at this distance we're able to communicate with each other!
I held a yardstick next to him, the little guy is 5 1/2 inches tall and I am 6'2 1/2". So my height is 13 times bigger
Imagine it the other way around - 6' 2 1/2" x 13 = 80' 7".
It would take a lot of courage to stand there and wave to a creature about 80 feet tall."
I have a couple of dozen dog books I would consider coffee table books of which I will add this one to that group. I think out of all of them, if I had a guest come over and was willing to look at one, this would be the one I would pull out to show them. And one I would want to crack open and look at again.
March 28, 2022
Als dierenarts van nu, die zich veel bezighoudt met ethiek, kan ik beamen dat Rien Poortvliet op bepaalde gebieden zijn tijd ver vooruit was: kortsnuitige honden, het couperen van oren en staarten, etc.
Maar daarnaast... is het een prachtig verhaal van een hondenliefhebber, wat iedere hondenliefhebber zal herkennen. En die tekeningen en schilderijen... prachtig!
Maar daarnaast... is het een prachtig verhaal van een hondenliefhebber, wat iedere hondenliefhebber zal herkennen. En die tekeningen en schilderijen... prachtig!
July 21, 2019
Beautiful illustrations with even more beautiful and heartwarming stories of our beloved dogs.
April 17, 2020
Beautiful illustrations. The whole book is a joy to go through.
September 15, 2011
Wow. This is a book I will NEVER tire of. The verbage, the artwork, the whimsy - it all boils down to my passion, dogs and our relationship with the goofy, adorable, devoted companions they all are. Plus, the book is gorgeous to hold, to linger with, and to return to.
February 11, 2008
After I discovered his illustrations in "Gnomes", I remember I got this book too. The cover was different, but I got it in Europe. The dog drawings and paintings were fabulous!
July 30, 2008
This isn't so much a "read" as it is a thrilling visual meditation on the humble dog. And really, for my money, it doesn't get too much better than that. Some of my best friends are dogs.
February 20, 2013
Sensational artist. The love for his dogs bounces off each page with so much skill. There is no way you read this book without a smile or a seriously big grin.
December 20, 2024
What a beautiful book, in every sense! The text basically lays out the author's life with the dogs in his life. Attempting to select another dog (when one dies), he has gone around and sketched various breeds, and he shares information about them: their size, their temperament, their derivation. But the artwork...! Totally amazing. The expressions captured on the various dogs' faces are vivid and varied. I cannot think of sufficient superlatives (and I'm basically a CAT person!). Very highly recommended -- for dog lovers and for any who appreciate finely done artwork.
November 14, 2024
Everyone who appreciates dogs or art will enjoy this book, and if you love both it’s a must-read. Every single painting is incredible but the illustrated stories about Poorvliet’s own dogs are my favorite part…they are just perfect.
It’s beautiful, sweet, and funny, much like a dog. ❤️
It’s beautiful, sweet, and funny, much like a dog. ❤️
April 11, 2025
Mooi hoe beeldend en intiem Rien Poortvliet de band tussen een oude jachthond en zijn baas verbeeldt. De omgang met honden voelt inmiddels flink verouderd, en de bruine vegerige schilderstijl is niet helemaal aan mij besteed.
December 26, 2025
Tämä kirja on ollut "aina" kotikotona. Luin sen nyt pitkästä aikaa joulunpyhinä. Niin upea kuvitus, jota on ilo tutkia uudestaan ja uudestaan. Ilmeikkäät potretit ja kirjoittajan omat koiramuistot ja -ajatukset kiinnostavat vuosienkin jälkeen.
December 26, 2021
Mooi boek barstensvol tekeningen van honden en leuke of spannende verhalen. Voor oudere kinderen die van honden houden heel leuk!
January 21, 2022
This is just a beautiful and fun book, that will steal the heart of any dog lover out there. Rien Poortvliet's art never disappoints!
February 15, 2022
Een mooi boek met veel tekeningen en een mooi verhaal;
een boek voor volwassen en kinderen.
Wanneer men een hond wil kopen moet men eerst dit boek lezen;
Nog een mooie titel:
een boek voor volwassen en kinderen.
Wanneer men een hond wil kopen moet men eerst dit boek lezen;
Nog een mooie titel:
January 10, 2018
This book is a gorgeous work of art. It made/makes my heart happy.
April 30, 2010
Another fave of mine. Love the pictures; love the text! Strongly recommend to everyone on this website. If you are down, feeling bad and blue just get this book. I believe you can find in the library if you do not have the $$ to lay out for it. Once you see it, it will inspire you -- maybe then you will come across the $$ to buy it and have it with you always.
June 12, 2014
It's taken me YEARS to finally track down this book, which I first found at our local public library when I was at most ten years old. My current (much more expansive!) library system doesn't have it, but someday I would really, really love to revisit it.
May 6, 2010
All different breeds, all different characters, Poortvliet obviously loves dogs. Anyone who loves dogs will enjoy this book.
February 28, 2025
Wonderful compilation of illustrations from the artist. Highly recommended.
August 17, 2012
A picture book for dog lovers. Rien Poortvliet is an amazing artist.
July 2, 2013
Absolutely beautiful
May 28, 2020
LOVE, love Rien Poortvliet's soft, warm, un-show-off-y style, a complete joy.
In the End
https://youtu.be/UE1VS2QzOv4
In the End
https://youtu.be/UE1VS2QzOv4
May 27, 2016
Amazing illustrations of the author's dogs and their life together. LOVE this one
November 21, 2010
Joanne. Dutch writer - illustrator Also other books -- Lovely
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews