International Dublin Literary Award
1 appearances
-
Edition 15 (2010) Winner
Gerbrand Bakker
ジェルブランド・バッカー
Gerbrand Bakker
Profile
- Gender
- Male
- Born
- 1962-04-28 （Wieringerwaard, Netherlands）
- Nationality
- Netherlands
- Languages
- Dutch
Career
- Occupations
- gardener, writer, skating instructor, subtitler
- Active Years
- 2000-
- Influenced By
- J. M. Coetzee, Traditional European literature (influence)
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gardening certification | Horticulture | Horticulture | — | — | Netherlands |
Gardening certification
Horticulture
/ Horticulture
Year of Graduation:
2006
Country:
Netherlands
Acquired a gardening certificate in 2006
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | International Dublin Literary Award | The Twin | — | International Dublin Literary Award (IMPAC) | winner |
| 2013 | Independent Foreign Fiction Prize | The Detour | — | The Independent | winner |
International Dublin Literary Award
2010
Work:
The Twin
Organization:
International Dublin Literary Award (IMPAC)
Result:
winner
Independent Foreign Fiction Prize
2013
Work:
The Detour
Organization:
The Independent
Result:
winner
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
Boven is het stil / The Twin
2006 Adult novel (psychological fiction)A psychological novel about a man living in the countryside, exploring family relationships, solitude and silence. The dynamics between siblings and past events are revealed slowly.
solitudefamilysilenceburden of the past
Translations
- English translation by David Colmer
June
2009 Adult novelA novel that portrays the inner life of a middle-aged man through detailed depictions of daily life and memory. It also touches on themes of migration and self-identity.
memorydaily lifeidentity
Translations
- English translation by David Colmer
De omweg / The Detour
2010 Adult novel (psychological, journey)A middle-aged woman flees her husband and moves to rural Wales; through this process the novel explores self-searching, self-assertion and the nature of pain, focusing on inner renewal and solitude.
self-searchingsolitudepain and recoverymigration
Translations
- English translation by David Colmer
Pear Trees Bloom White
Young adultA young adult novel exploring coming-of-age, friendship and relationships with nature.
coming-of-agefriendshipnature
Bibliography
- Boven is het stil (2006)
- June (2009)
- De omweg (2010)
- Children's dictionary (title unknown)
- Pear Trees Bloom White (young adult)
Translations of Works
- Boven is het stil — English translation: The Twin (trans. David Colmer)
- De omweg — English translation: The Detour (trans. David Colmer)
- June — English translation: June (trans. David Colmer)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- restrained proseconcise and clear descriptionsrealistic dialogue-focused style
- Recurring Motifs
- solitude and silencesubtle family dynamicsnature and rural settingsmemories of the past
Legacy
Gerbrand Bakker gained international recognition for his restrained prose and quiet psychological portrayals; he became the first Dutch writer to win the International Dublin Literary Award in 2010. His works, translated into English by David Colmer, raised his profile in the English-speaking world.
Quotes
-
Writing and gardening are compatible.
Source: Interview / press coverage at time of award (e.g. The Guardian) (2010) -
I just love these big beasts.
Source: Comment upon winning the prize (2010)
Trivia
- He holds a gardening certificate and continues to work as a gardener.
- Works as a skating instructor in winter.
- Previously worked as a subtitler for Dutch TV; subtitling experience (e.g. on The Bold and the Beautiful) influenced his writing.
- Has expressed a dislike of flying.
- Said he planned to buy a Dutch grey horse with prize money after winning the Dublin award in 2010.