An Introduction to Novels Set in Belgium

Belgium might be small on the map, but its rich history, unique culture, and atmospheric cities have sparked the imaginations of many writers. If you want to explore this fascinating country through fiction, you have some wonderful reading ahead.

Here are fifteen books where Belgium plays a central role. You can walk the streets of Bruges, experience wartime Antwerp, or uncover mysteries in Liège, all from your armchair.

  1. 1
    The Sorrow of Belgium by Hugo Claus

    Hugo Claus takes us deep into World War II Belgium. We see the war through the eyes of Louis, a young boy in a Flemish town.

    He navigates life at a strict Catholic boarding school run by nuns, and at home, he witnesses how the Nazi occupation changes everything for his family and neighbours. The story shows you what it was like for ordinary people.

    Their loyalties are tested as Louis tries to figure out who he is amidst the chaos. It provides a personal look at a country turned upside down by war.

  2. 2
    A Dog of Flanders by Ouida

    This classic story follows Nello, a poor orphan boy, and his devoted dog, Patrasche, near 19th-century Antwerp. Nello dreams of being a great artist like Peter Paul Rubens, whose paintings he admires in the city’s cathedral.

    Life is hard, and many people are unkind, but the deep bond between Nello and Patrasche helps them face poverty and the longing for a better life. It’s a touching story about their struggles and friendship.

  3. 3
    Kaas (Cheese) by Willem Elsschot

    Willem Elsschot gives us Frans Laarmans, a simple Antwerp clerk who suddenly decides to become a wholesale cheese distributor. Poor Frans knows nothing about business, let alone cheese.

    He orders thousands of full-cream Edam cheeses and rents multiple offices, but he struggles hilariously with the basics of selling anything. The story follows his fumbling attempts and growing anxiety. It’s a sharp, funny, and sad look at ambition meeting reality.

  4. 4
    Maigret at the Gai-Moulin by Georges Simenon

    Inspector Maigret finds himself in the Belgian city of Liège. Two scared young men stumble upon a dead body inside the Gai-Moulin nightclub after breaking in. Maigret arrives to investigate. He questions the nervous staff, the club’s patrons, and the troubled youths.

    He uncovers hidden motives and secrets in the city’s nighttime world. Simenon creates a great atmosphere for this puzzle.

  5. 5
    The Lion of Flanders by Hendrik Conscience

    This historical novel plunges you into the 14th century and the Battle of the Golden Spurs. Hendrik Conscience tells the story of the Flemish people’s fight against French rule. Knights, weavers, and common folk rise up to defend their towns and traditions.

    Robert of Bethune, known as the Lion of Flanders, is a central figure in their resistance. You get a real sense of medieval life and the fierce desire for freedom.

  6. 6
    The Crime of Inspector Maigret by Georges Simenon

    Georges Simenon sends Inspector Maigret to investigate a puzzling case with roots in Belgium. A man connected to a wealthy family is found dead in a fancy Paris hotel.

    Maigret’s inquiries lead him across the border to a quiet Belgian provincial town where the victim lived previously. The detective patiently digs into the man’s hidden past. He slowly pieces together the secrets people tried to keep buried.

  7. 7
    The Heiress of Bruges by Thomas Colley Grattan

    Step back into medieval Bruges with this historical novel by Thomas Colley Grattan. Adelaide, the daughter of a rich merchant, finds her life caught up in the city’s political conflicts and dangerous family secrets.

    Bruges, with its canals and powerful guilds, comes alive as Adelaide navigates plots and betrayals. Themes of loyalty and ambition run through her story as she faces difficult choices.

  8. 8
    De vulgaire geschiedenis van Charelke Dop by Ernest Claes

    Ernest Claes introduces us to Charelke Dop, a farmer in the Flemish countryside who is always getting into scrapes. He’s a lovable rogue, full of mischief but with a good heart underneath his rough exterior.

    The book paints a lively picture of Belgian village life with plenty of humour. We follow Charelke’s funny misadventures and his dreams of striking it rich, often through questionable means.

  9. 9
    War and Turpentine by Stefan Hertmans

    Stefan Hertmans shares his grandfather’s incredible life story. Using his grandfather’s own notebooks discovered after his death, Hertmans reconstructs a life profoundly shaped by service in World War I and a passion for painting.

    We see the brutal realities of the trenches contrasted with his quiet dedication to capturing beauty on canvas afterward. The book follows his path through loss and hardship. It shows his resilience and deep need to create art.

  10. 10
    The Abyss by Marguerite Yourcenar

    Marguerite Yourcenar takes us to 16th-century Europe in turmoil. We follow Zeno, a brilliant physician, alchemist, and philosopher born in Bruges. His quest for knowledge puts him at odds with the religious and social norms of his time.

    He travels across Europe, encounters historical figures, and constantly seeks deeper understanding, even when it becomes dangerous. Zeno’s intellectual journey unfolds against the backdrop of the Renaissance and Reformation.

  11. 11
    The Man Who Had His Hair Cut Short by Johan Daisne

    This intriguing novel centers on Govert Miereveld, a schoolteacher haunted by his intense, unspoken feelings for a former student. He leaves his job and gets his hair cut short, a symbol of his attempt to break from the past.

    His life afterward is filled with internal conflict and moments that feel dreamlike or strange. The story blends the ordinary world of a Belgian town with Govert’s intense inner reality.

  12. 12
    Nothing Was All He Said by Nic Balthazar

    Nic Balthazar tells the moving story of Ben, a teenager with autism who endures constant bullying at school. Feeling isolated, Ben retreats into the world of online gaming. There he creates an avatar, a strong hero quite different from his real self.

    The story follows his struggles and his decision to make a video diary to explain his pain. It’s a raw look inside Ben’s world and his search for connection.

  13. 13
    Falling by Anne Provoost

    Anne Provoost explores difficult choices in this novel about Lucas, a teenager spending the summer in a Belgian village with his mother and grandmother.

    He reconnects with Caitlin, a girl from his childhood, and falls under the influence of Benoît, an older boy involved in extremist politics. Lucas feels torn between his own conscience, his attraction to Caitlin, and the pressure to belong.

    The story examines how prejudice takes root.

  14. 14
    On Black Sisters Street by Chika Unigwe

    Chika Unigwe tells the stories of four Nigerian women—Sisi, Ama, Efe, and Joyce—who come to work in Antwerp’s red-light district. Each woman carries her own history of hopes, dreams, and the difficult circumstances that led her to Belgium.

    When tragedy strikes one of them, their lives become more closely connected. The book reveals their individual journeys and shared experiences as they seek survival and dignity far from home.

  15. 15
    Battlesaurus: Rampage at Waterloo by Brian Falkner

    Here’s a wild ride through history from Brian Falkner. Imagine the Battle of Waterloo, but Napoleon has a secret weapon: trained dinosaurs! Willem, a young apprentice, discovers this terrifying truth.

    He must race against time to warn the Duke of Wellington and the Allied forces. This adventure mixes real historical figures and events with thrilling dinosaur action for a completely different look at the famous battle.