The 2 stories in this book have also been published with the titles "The story of Vincent in Drenthe" and "The journey of the painter Vincent van Gogh". Traveling salesman Alex de Goede meets Vincent van Gogh twice. The first meeting took place in 1884 in Nuenen. There Vincent tells Alex about his adventure in Drenthe. During that period in Drenthe, Vincent made an important decision. This decision is the beginning of a long journey in search of the place where Vincent grew into an accomplished and successful painter. During Alex's second meeting with Vincent, Vincent talks about that journey and the problems he encountered along the way. The second meeting took place in Auvers-sur-Oise in July 1890. The story Vincent tells, is based on the more than 500 letters Vincent wrote from September 1883 onwards.