Gerbrand Bakker
Gerbrand Bakker is a Dutch writer known for his novels, including 'The Twin,' which won the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award in 2010.
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 Twin
The novel revolves around a middle-aged man who, after his twin brother's accidental death, is left to take care of the family farm and his ailing father in the Dutch countryside. Trapped by duty and familial expectations, he struggles with loneliness and the burden of an unfulfilled life. The narrative delves into themes of isolation, identity, and the profound impact of family dynamics as the protagonist grapples with his past and the stark reality of his present circumstances. The story unfolds against the backdrop of the stark, flat landscape, mirroring the protagonist's internal desolation and longing for a different existence.
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2. The Detour
A woman, fleeing from her troubled past in the Netherlands, seeks solace in the remote countryside of Wales. As she settles into a secluded farmhouse, she becomes entangled with the local community and a mysterious young man who stumbles upon her retreat. As her health deteriorates, the secrets she harbors slowly unravel, revealing the complexities of her life and the reasons behind her self-imposed exile. The narrative weaves themes of isolation, identity, and the search for redemption amidst the haunting beauty of the Welsh landscape.
The 12023rd Greatest Book of All Time -
3. June
In a quiet Frisian village, a royal visit on a sweltering June day coincides with an unexpected family tragedy that is never fully spoken about. Decades later, the repercussions ripple through the farm and its inhabitants, as a stubborn mother and her adult children circle the past in small, awkward attempts at connection, revealing how silence, memory, and the rhythms of rural life shape their grief and their chances for release.