Rob van Essen

(The Netherlands, 1963) occupies a unique place in Dutch-language literature with his novels, nonfiction books, and stories; his oeuvre is unlike any other, evoking memories of José Saramago, Paul Auster, and J.M. Coetzee at most. He was awarded the J.M.A. Biesheuvel Prize for Hier wonen ook mensen (People Live Here Too) and the Libris Literature Prize 2019 for De goede zoon (The Good Son). His novel Miniapolis was published in October 2021. In February 2022, a reissue of Engeland is gesloten (England is Closed) from 2004 was published, and Rob van Essen made his debut as a poet in 2022 with Alleen de warme dagen waren echt (Only the Warm Days Were Real). In 2023, his novel Ik kom hier nog op terug (I'll come back to this) was published, for which he won the Libris Literature Prize again in 2024. In it, the main character is offered the chance to travel back in time in a time machine to make amends for something. It takes him back to traumatic events from his youth. Van Essen masterfully blends everyday reality with the unreal and impossible.

Instagram: @robvanessen1