Summary of The Twin
Helmer gave up his studies after the death of his twin brother to work on the family farm. Now, years later, he begrudgingly cares for his dying father, leading a lonely existence under the grey skies of North Holland, wrestling with his emotions and suppressed homosexuality. His quiet life is interrupted when his brother’s former fiancée appears, asking if her 18-year-old son can work on the farm for a while.
Reasons to read The TwinÂ
“The Twin” is a slow-paced, introspective novel about a man’s deep but unspoken desire for connection and the obstacles to taking control of his life. Set against the plain backdrop of the Dutch polders, it explores themes of isolation and self-discovery. The novel won the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award in 2010. Gerbrand Bakker also won the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize in 2013 for “The Detour” (both prize-winning translations by David Colmer).
Setting: Monnickendam (the Netherlands)
Original title: Boven is het stil
Year of publication: 2006
Nr of pages: 343
