Hisbundel

Hisbundel is a term used in literary and editorial theory to describe a curated anthology centered on a specific authorial voice or thematic throughline. The word combines “his” with the Dutch “bundel,” meaning bundle or collection, signaling a collection presented from a male perspective or focusing on male-authored works in some applications, though the term’s usage is not standardized. In general, a Hisbundel includes a carefully selected subset of works—poems, essays, and short fiction—conveyed through a unifying editorial frame, such as a foreword, cross-references, or an editorial preface that situates each piece within the central theme.

Origins and usage: The concept emerged in late 20th-century critical debates on editorial practice and genre theory, as scholars examined how editorial framing shapes readers’ perceptions of authorship and voice. Variants of the concept may emphasize different organizing principles, including chronology, geographic focus, or stylistic affinity. Editorial approach can range from minimal annotation to extensive critical apparatus, with notes on provenance, manuscript history, and contextual references.

Reception: In studies of anthologies and literary histories, Hisbundels are discussed as tools for constructing canonical or semi-canonical clusters, highlighting how selection and arrangement influence interpretation. Critics caution that editorial power can foreground a particular reading over other possible interpretations, especially when the central voice is framed as “his” perspective.

See also: anthology, editorial theory, literary corpus.