Verbaas used the historical facts for his novel “Suster Bertken – The wonderful story of the Utrecht hermit who voluntarily allowed herself to be imprisoned for 57 years”, which was recently published.
In the book, the writer develops a fictional storyline about a conflict between her and a pastor in the church, which was expanded at the time. “That’s why the pastor wanted the safe removed. But she has been there for fifty years and doesn’t want to leave anymore.”
A battle ensues between the powerful pastor and the powerless hermit, but through her wisdom she manages to give it a surprising twist. ‘”She can stay there and die in peace.”