Harry Mulisch
Harry Mulisch was a renowned Dutch author known for his novels, plays, essays, and poetry. He is considered one of the 'Great Three' of Dutch postwar literature, alongside Willem Frederik Hermans and Gerard Reve. His most famous works include 'The Assault' and 'The Discovery of Heaven'.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. The Discovery of Heaven
"The Discovery of Heaven" is a philosophical novel that explores the relationship between mankind and the divine. The story revolves around two friends, an astronomer and a philologist, who are manipulated by heavenly forces to father a child who is destined to return the Ten Commandments to God. As the narrative unfolds, it delves into complex themes such as friendship, love, art, science, and the existence of God, presenting a thought-provoking analysis of the human condition.
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2. The Assault
Set in the Netherlands during and after World War II, the story follows Anton Steenwijk, whose life is forever altered when a Nazi collaborator is assassinated in front of his family's home, leading to a brutal retaliation that claims his family's lives. As Anton grows up, he grapples with the trauma and seeks to understand the complex web of events and motivations behind that fateful night. Through encounters with various individuals connected to the incident, Anton gradually uncovers the layers of truth, confronting themes of guilt, memory, and the moral ambiguities of war.
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3. Twee Vrouwen
La jalousie meurtrière d'un homme vient mettre un terme à l'amour entre deux femmes. On remarque le thème de l'enfant (ici, un embryon) dans le couple homosexuel; thème également traité, sur un mode beaucoup plus anecdotique, par M. Tremblay dans ##Le coeur découvert##.
The 5629th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Amazon -
4. Siegfried
In this thought-provoking novel, a Dutch writer embarks on a journey to unravel the mysteries surrounding Adolf Hitler's life, delving into the hidden aspects of his personal history. The narrative takes an unexpected turn when the protagonist encounters an elderly couple who reveal a shocking secret about Hitler's alleged son, Siegfried. As the story unfolds, the writer grapples with the moral complexities of truth and fiction, exploring themes of identity, legacy, and the haunting shadows of the past. Through a blend of historical fiction and philosophical inquiry, the novel challenges readers to reconsider the nature of evil and the enduring impact of history on the present.
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5. Last Call
An aging, once-famous actor returns to the stage for what may be his final performance, where the lines between role and self blur as rehearsals force him to face illness, fading fame, and the ghosts of past loves and betrayals. In the glare of the spotlight, memory and make-believe collide, turning the production into a confessional that lays bare his vanity, regrets, and hunger for meaning. As opening night approaches, he confronts the reckoning that comes with time, seeking a last chance at dignity and redemption.
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6. De Verteller
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7. De Elementen
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9. Criminal Case 40/61, The Trial Of Adolf Eichmann
The Trial of Adolf Eichmann
A fictionalized account centered on the 1961 Jerusalem trial of a Nazi official, blending courtroom reportage, philosophical meditation and personal testimony to probe responsibility, memory and the nature of evil. Through interwoven perspectives — judges, prosecutors, survivors and the accused — the narrative contrasts legal procedure with deeper moral questions about collective guilt, historical truth and the limits of justice, while reflecting on how the past persists in individual lives.
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10. The Procedure
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