The Discovery of Heaven
About the book
The friendship of an astronomer and a philologist becomes part of a story connecting earthly life with a divine plan.
Original title: De ontdekking van de hemel
Europe · A READING GUIDE
Netherlands
Begin with Koch’s The Dinner, where one conversation reveals a family and moral conflict. Mulisch ranges from the shorter The Assault to the expansive The Discovery of Heaven, while Reve concentrates on postwar boredom. Multatuli opens a route into colonialism and exploitation. Rijneveld offers a more contemporary perspective on grief, religion and childhood on a farm.
WHERE TO START
- The Discovery of HeavenHarry Mulisch
- The DinnerHerman Koch
- The Discomfort of EveningLucas Rijneveld
Books to begin with
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The Assault
About the book
For decades Anton returns to the wartime incident that destroyed his family.
Original title: De aanslag
The Dinner
About the book
Two couples discuss a crime committed by their sons over dinner.
Original title: Het diner
The Discomfort of Evening
About the book
A brother’s death destabilises a child and a religious family on a Dutch farm.
Original title: De avond is ongemak
The Evenings
About the book
Frits van Egters moves through ten postwar evenings, seeking escape from boredom and his parents’ home.
Original title: De avonden
Max Havelaar
About the book
A colonial official’s story indicts the system exploiting the people of Java.
Rituals
About the book
Inni Wintrop’s life opens a meditation on rituals and the search for meaning.
The Following Story
About the book
A man unexpectedly wakes in Lisbon and travels through the landscapes of his memory.
Context and sources
Sources on authors and their connections to this country. Specific edition details appear beside each book. Polish and English originals are not labelled as translations.
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