Amsterdam

Amsterdam, the Netherlands, is the setting for The Book of Everything. In a historical note written as a foreword, Kuijer notes that in 1951, the time of the novel, the Netherlands was still recovering from occupation by the Nazis for almost five years during World War II. During that period, some of the Dutch collaborated with the Nazis and others worked in the Resistance movement to shelter Jews and thwart the Nazis.

The Wooden Spoon

The wooden spoon is used by Thomas' father to punish him. He first punishes Thomas with the spoon because Thomas sings the litany in church incorrectly, then tries to punish Thomas again when he learns that Thomas has placed Mrs. van Amersfoort's note inside Father's Bible. When his plan to punish Thomas a second time is thwarted by Margot, Father leaves their home and Margot grabs the wooden spoon, places it across the...