Thomas Heerma van Voss / Thomas Heerma van Voss – Stern

Thomas Heerma van Voss – Stern

Thomas Heerma van Voss – Stern

Rights sold

  • Schöffling Verlag (Germany)

 

Read our sample translation of Stern

 

About the book

Hugo Stern has never succeeded in bonding with other people. An only child, he grew up alone with his mother. In one telling episode, when he is a student in London he befriends a Korean who never ever says anything – they go to the movies together and stare at the screen.

Back in the Netherlands, Stern marries. He and his wife have a baby who dies soon after birth and they adopt a Korean child, giving him the same forename as their own. The story reaches a climax when the son, who has turned eighteen, wants to visit his native country.

Stern is torn by separation anxiety, the memory of his friend in London who never answered his letters and his inability to press his child to his chest, all of which culminates in a heart-rending final scene at the airport.

Stern is a faultlessly written novel. Impressive. We’re eagerly looking forward to the future of this young writer. Thomas Heerma van Voss: remember that name boys and girls. **** – NRC HANDELSBLAD

Stern is a disquieting novel. The power of this writer lies in his control, timing, and adult themes. **** – DE VOLKSKRANT

This writer has a great deal to offer. – VRIJ NEDERLAND

Magnificent how Heerma van Voss portrays loneliness. The young writer shows a keen understanding of human relationships. – TROUW

Author

Thomas Heerma van Voss (b. 1990) is the author of De Allestafel (The Everything Table, 2009) and of the much praised novel Stern (2013), which will be published by Schöffling Verlag in Germany. His stories, essays and articles have appeared in NRC.next, Vrij Nederland, Trouw, De Gids, Tirade, Das Magazin and Passionate.

© Lenny Oosterwijk

Additional book information

  • Novel
  • ISBN 9789400404717
  • Number of pages: 217
  • World rights: Thomas Rap
  • Price: € 12,50
  • English sample available