Born to Die

What did Tom Manders (Dorus), Bhagwan (Osho), and Prince Bernhard have in common? Who witnessed the last execution of the death penalty by hanging in the infamous Fremantle Prison in Western Australia? In his book, the protagonist/writer (1944) wanders the world in search for his true self. He witnesses some important historical events along the way. For example, the book begins with a narration of the oppressive atmosphere in post-war Netherlands, followed by his subsequent migration to Australia in the late 50s where he was left behind as a 13-year-old boy by his parents. The book also tells us of his arduous struggle to survive in Australia in the 60s. He goes through a divorce and hospitalization in a psychiatric hospital where he meets the virtuoso pianist David Helfgott (whose life inspired the Oscar-winning film “Shine”). After that period, he returns to the Netherlands and marries the secretary of Prince Bernhard at the time of the Lockheed affair in the late 70s. In the 80s, he joins the Bhagwan movement and is present at the death of Osho. Throughout the story, he enjoins the reader to follow his quest for spiritual awareness and inner growth, his career as a singer/entertainer, and his numerous casual and less casual romances and love affairs. This book not only reads like a movie. It is a movie!