David Mitchell
(England, 1969) is an English writer with five books to his name. His breakthrough in the Netherlands came with the novel The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet (2010). The book is situated in the 19th century and set in Japan, where Mitchell lived for eight years. The novel relates the adventures of some early 19th century East Indiamen. The main character is Jacob de Zoet, a humble clerk struggling with love. Mitchell was inspired by the diaries of the Dutch East Indiaman Hendrik Doeff, who ended up at the small island of Deshima, where he lived for a great number of years. What is striking is the descriptions of the Netherlands of the time, which make it hard to imagine that the book was written by a Briton. Earlier Mitchell wrote among others Cloud Atlas, Black Swan Green and Ghostwritten. These books were much acclaimed, not only in the Netherlands but worldwide.
Past events
Wintercafe 3: VPRO De Avonden Live
In the second hour of De Avonden VPRO continues its search for Utopia. With Tim Parks, David Mitchell, Hagar Peeters, Martijn Knol and motivational speaker and spoken word artist Omékongo Dibinga. Hosts: Jeroen van Kan and Catherine van Campen. Dutch and English spoken.
David Mitchell's Great Expectations
British author David Mitchell presents his great expectations of literature. Bas Heijne talks to him afterwards. In English.
