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Gerbrand Bakker

Author of The Twin

28 Works 1,791 Members 126 Reviews 10 Favorited

About the Author

Image credit: Gerbrand Bakker

Works by Gerbrand Bakker

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Common Knowledge

Canonical name
Bakker, Gerbrand
Birthdate
1962-04-28
Gender
male
Nationality
Netherlands
Birthplace
Wieringerwaard, Netherlands
Places of residence
Wieringerwaard, Netherlands (birth)
Education
Leeuwarden, Friesland, Nederland (Cultureel Werk)
Universiteit van Amsterdam (Nederlandse taal- en letterkunde ∙ specialisatie historische taalkunde)
Alkmaar, Noord-Holland, Nederland (Hovenier)
Occupations
writer
gardener
subtitle translator
columnist
Organizations
De Groene Amsterdammer
Short biography
Gerbrand Bakker (Wieringerwaard 1962) studeerde historische taalkunde en is gediplomeerd hovenier. Hij publiceerde eerder de romans Boven is het stil en Perenbomen bloeien wit, die hij ook heeft voorgelezen als luisterboek. Boven is het stil is vele malen bekroond en vertaald in tien talen. Er is een toneelbewerking van gemaakt en er is een verfilming op komst. Zijn meest recente publicatie is het dierendagboek Ezel, schaap en tureluur.

Members

Discussions

The Detour Group Read / Finished Novel Spoiler Thread in 75 Books Challenge for 2012 (April 2012)
Spoiler Thread - The Detour / Group Read in 75 Books Challenge for 2012 (April 2012)
Group Read by Gerbrand Bakker - Starting on April 15 in 75 Books Challenge for 2012 (April 2012)

Reviews

Knecht, alleen is the second volume of autobiography by Gerbrand Bakker published in the prestigious Prive Domein series, a book series which was previously exclusively for ego documents by (dead) authors. While previously the editions could exist of inedited materials, they were usually selected reprints of published ego documents such as diaries or correspondence. However, for the past 25 years, the series includes ego documents of living authors, including diaries which were specifically written for inclusion in the series. In fact, the author writes about that on page 254, where he reports a discussion with Arjen Visser, who objects that present-day volumes in the Prive Domein series claiming authors write them for publication, and that they are therefore not as good as before. Elsewhere, they point out that this was first the case with A.F.Th. van der Heijden's volume Engelenplaque, and in my opinion, similarly Japin's diaries, which were both very substandard publications, particularly within the Prive Domein series.

On page 155 Bakker writes that he hasn't written a novel in 10 years'time. One of the main themes of Knecht, alleen is that the author has been depressed and is on permanent medication to suppress his depression. It is quite remarkable, even in his own observation, that he manages to keep doing some work, which on page 155 he describes as dabbling. This seems to accurately qualify this book.

Knecht, alleen is not a cheerful book. Bakker writes it could be better understood after reading the first volume. In spite of his depression, Knecht, alleen offers a comprehensive look into the author's working life and the Dutch literary scene. At the same time, large parts of the book are rather uninteresting fillers, such as the descriptions of Bakker's second home in the German Eiffel region.
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½
 
Flagged
edwinbcn | 1 other review | Jan 3, 2024 |
De omweg is a traditional novel, in the sense that it has a plot, a clear narrative structure and a story that matters. The story is interesting and both in the development of the story and the relation between the characters there are interesting developments and surprises.

Gerbrand Bakker is a Dutch author with a deeply lived interest in literature, nature and gardening, aspects which all embellish this beautiful novel.
 
Flagged
edwinbcn | 28 other reviews | Dec 31, 2023 |
Fantastic beautiful book
 
Flagged
lulesi | 74 other reviews | Oct 25, 2023 |
Mooi boek. Familieroman, subtiel geschreven. Stukje bij beetje wordt het verhaal onthuld, worden relaties blootgelegd.
 
Flagged
Vonini | 8 other reviews | Oct 5, 2023 |

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Associated Authors

Noortje Rap Illustrator
Maria Rossich Translator
David Colmer Translator
Andreas Ecke Translator
Laura Pignatti Translator
Andrea Kluitmann Übersetzer
Henk Langenhuijsen Contributor
Angela Kraft Photographer

Statistics

Works
28
Members
1,791
Popularity
#14,367
Rating
3.8
Reviews
126
ISBNs
146
Languages
15
Favorited
10

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