literature
Alice Tetley-Paul’s Choice: Annie M.G. Schmidt and J.J. Voskuil
Literary translator Alice Tetley-Paul makes a plea for an iconic
children's book and a novel cycle that caused a minor craze in the Netherlands.
Jaap Robben’s Mastery Shines Through In The Dialogues Of ‘Afterlight’
In his third novel, Jaap Robben once again shows himself to be one of the most subtle novelists in the Dutch-speaking world.
The Translator’s Pick
Shimanto Reza’s Choice: Ivo Michiels and Vincent Van Meenen
Shimanto Reza wants to whet your reading appetite with an innovative novel that inspired a generation of Flemish writers and a story about the shadowy world of bitcoins and cryptocurrency.
Jente Posthuma Longlisted for the 2024 International Booker Prize
After Harry Mulisch, Tommy Wieringa, Lucas Rijneveld and Jaap Robben, Jente Posthuma is the fifth Dutch author to be nominated for this prestigious literature prize.
First Book
Tom Lanoye Wins the 2024 Dutch Literature Prize
According to the jury, Lanoye’s writing has been a ‘linguistic virtuoso spectacle’ for forty years.
Zindzi Tillot: buzzbuzzbuzz
A silver-lidded ewer in ‘lobed’ or ‘auricular’ style, made by Adam van Vianen (I), inspired Zindzi Tillot to write a text.
Eureka?
Oumaima Belkhdar: message from the _____: come back girl
Oumaima Belkhdar wrote a text to accompany Dirck van Delen’s painting 'Interior of a Gothic Church'.
Merel van Slobbe: We have to accept that it will never be possible to see the sky in its original state
Merel van Slobbe wrote a poem in response to the painting Girl in a Large Hat, by Caesar Boëtius van Everdingen.
Friday Verses
Leonore Spee: Sleeping In State
Leonore Spee took her inspiration for a short story from the model of a life-size marble statue of William of Orange.
Jef Last: A Life of Commitment in the Twentieth Century
The biography of the committed Dutch writer Jef Last offers a splendid introduction to the twentieth century.
Johanna McCalmont’s Choice: David van Reybrouck and Rachida Lamrabet
Brussels-based Irish translator Johanna McCalmont wants to draw your attention to two high-profile books that use Africa as a backdrop for a gruesome past.
Hitting Back. ‘Confrontations’ by Simone Atangana Bekono
Dutch writer Simone Atangana Bekono's critically acclaimed debut novel has now been published in English.
Students Translate Tülin Erkan’s Novel ‘Honingeter’
Students from two British Universities translated an extract from the debut novel of the Flemish-Turkish writer.
17 Dutch Books To Keep Warm This Winter (2023-2024)
Here's our selection of Dutch-language books that recently have been translated into English.
Ka(a)te Dejonckheere: D_N’T FA_L AP_RT, DO_’T BE C_NSPIC_OUS
Ka(a)te Dejonckheere wrote a poem about the shards of ceramic bowls and lids from the Dutch East India ship ‘Witte Leeuw’.
‘Treurwil’ by Rik Van Puymbroeck: Striking Passages From A Melancholy Life
This literary debut contains hardly any suspense, hardly any story to recount, but plenty of space to grieve.
Jalil Sultani: Dear Johannes
Jalil Sultani wrote a letter inspired by the book held by Johannes Wtenbogaert on Rembrandt van Rijn’s portrait of him.
Emma Rault’s Choice: Tofik Dibi and Ananda Serné
Emma Rault makes a plea for a moving memoir of a young man’s struggle with his sexuality and Muslim identity, and for a story set in the twilight zone between waking and sleeping.
Gidi Pols: .Monaco Dining.
Gidi Pols wrote a poem inspired by the financial story behind 'Portrait of Rogier Le Witer, Antwerp Merchant' by painter Jacob Jordaens.
‘Xerox’ By Fien Veldman: An Anti-office Novel Full Of Silent Protest
The dullness of office life prompts workers to work as little as possible. With 'Xerox', Fien Veldman has written a debut about one such ‘quiet quitter’.