This book was originally written in Dutch. I read an Afrikaans translation of it called simply "Ciske" and I’m flabbergasted to find that there’s no mention of the translator’s name in my copy, especially since it’s an outstanding piece of work.

This is one my all-time favorite books. It’s set in Amsterdam and is the story of 11-year-old Ciske Vrijmoeth, a street child whose dreadful mother works in a bar and has so many children, she cannot be bothered about poor Ciske. He’s an intelligent, sensitive child who, like any other child, needs attention and wants to please. But his circumstances are harsh and he sometimes reacts to danger very quickly – because he’s been exposed to it so often – with heartbreaking results.

Ciske has no friends and is called “The Rat” possibly because he’s so quiet and lives on the street. But this child has dignity, and he steals your heart. He has a father he adores, who is frequently away at sea. Thankfully, Ciske attends school.

The narrator of the story is his teacher, Mr Bruis, who starts taking a real interest in this child and sweeps the reader along in descriptions of the boy who is sometimes so free and joyful, and at other times and more frequently, anxious and withdrawn.

Once on a school outing, we see the joy Ciske derives from the freedom to play and do cartwheels at the beach with the other children. He’s at the heart of the excitement, on the day. At school, he risks befriending a sick child, Dorus, and we see the quiet pleasure he derives from the new experience of having a friend. Dorus once gives him a book to take home, and he cherishes this book.

At home his life is a misery, as his appalling mother goes from one abusive relationship to the next. Then Ciske surprises his mother at home one night with yet another boyfriend. In her anger at being imposed upon, she tears some pages out of the precious book that Dorus had given him. Ciske is so enraged by her, he grabs a knife and stabs her, with fatal consequences. He is arrested and jailed for murdering his mother.

This is a beautiful tale told from the perspective of a caring teacher, who becomes completely involved in this disadvantaged child’s life. It is a wonderful read. ( )