Gerbrand Bakker

(Wieringerwaard, 1962) is a master in describing Dutch landscapes with grazing sheep and cackling geese. He grew up as a farmer’s son in the northern most part of the province North Holland. In addition to being a historical linguist he is a gardener and a skating coach. In 2006 his debut Boven is het stil (The Twin) was an instant success. This novel about a farmer’s son who waits for the death of his father so that he can lead a life of his own, Bakker received the Gouden Ezelsoor, the Debutantenprijs (prize for new talent) and the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. Boven is het stil was sold to almost thirty countries, has been adapted for the stage and is now turned into a movie by Nanouk Leopold. Bakker’s second country life novel Juni (June) of 2009 was again an international success. Spring 2010 his third Novel De Omweg (The Detour) appeared, about a woman who leaves her husband and travels to Wales. Columns about animals Bakker wrote for the Dutch weekly De Groene Amsterdammer have been collected, together with some of his weblogs in Ezel, schaap en tureluur (Donkey, sheep and redshank; 2009).