Nina Polak

(1986) made a big impression in 2014 with her first novel We zullen niet te pletter slaan (We Won't Be Smashed to Pieces), a stormy family tale about Anna and Schard, the children of two lesbian mothers. Polak wrote the novel to explore what happens to a boy growing up among women, and to examine the role of non-biological parents. Schard reconnects with Anna after a trip to India; at that point, both are looking for the meaning of art, love, and life. They know what they want: to be a father, a wife, a hero, a lover—but can't find their way. We Zullen Niet... was nominated for the AKO Literature Prize. Reviewers praised Polak for her flowery style and daring metaphors that manage not to be overdone. Polak studied in Amsterdam and New York. She writes for De Groene Amsterdammer and Correspondent magazines about subjects like television, games, films, and literature.