How did Monika van Paemel use memory and feminism in De vermaledijde vaders?

In De vermaledijde vaders (1985), Monika van Paemel utilizes a complex narrative structure to explore the interplay between personal and collective history. The novel functions as an epic that examines the Second World War and its subsequent societal impact through a distinct feminist lens.1

By focusing on the workings of memory, Van Paemel critiques the patriarchal structures represented by the "accursed fathers" of the title. Her approach integrates autobiographical inspiration with a broader investigation of how historical trauma is remembered and interpreted. This allows her to challenge traditional, male-dominated historical narratives, positioning the female experience as central to understanding the aftermath of the war.1