His first important novels Een zwerver verliefd (1904; “A Wanderer in Love”) and Een zwerver verdwaald (1907; “A Lost Wanderer”) are set in medieval Italy, but the historical aspect is subordinated to the inner life and imagination of the hero, Tamalone. The force of destiny is felt throughout, and Schendel's muted, sober use of language intensifies the tragic note.

The theme of fate and humanity's inevitable succumbing to it is prevalent in all his later works, in which he turns to a more Realistic style. Notable examples are Het fregatschip Johanna Maria (1930; The Johanna Maria, 1935), the history of one of the vanishing sailing ships and its sailmaker, and his popular Een hollandsch drama (1935; The House in Haarlem, 1940). His Romanticism reasserted itself in his last works, among which De wereld een dansfeest (1938) and De grauwe vogels (1937; Grey Birds, 1939) are perhaps the best known.