Authors / Peter Terrin

Peter Terrin

Peter Terrin

© Jef Boes

Peter Terrin (b. 1968) is the author of two short story collections and four novels. De bewaker (The Guard) won the European Union Prize for Literature and made the longlist of both the Golden Owl and the AKO Literature Prize. The Irish Times called it one of the best novels of the year. Post-mortem (2012) won him the AKO Literature Prize and Monte Carlo (2014) was shortlisted for the prestigious Libris Literature Prize 2015. Terrin’s work has been translated into numerous languages.

 

Recent title – English material

De gebeurtenis, (The Event), 2022

Al het blauw, 2021

Patricia, 2018

Yucca, 2016

Monte Carlo, 2014

The Guard, 2009

Press on Yucca:

Terrin opts brazenly for literature, which produces a great deal that is beautiful. Yucca is a fascinating game with identities, a novel impossible to race through. – NRC Handelsblad

Yucca is a novel that cannot be summarized. Terrin’ work is reminiscent in that respect of the work of Haruki Murakami. Terrin is a conjurer of a similar calibre: in Yucca he conjures up reality with his pen, without revealing the secret. – Trouw

That’s what I appreciate so much about this versatile writer: that he can caress with such tenderness. You lose most beautifully if you’re one of Peter Terrin’s characters. – Humo


Press on Monte Carlo:

Craftsmanship and talent. Monte Carlo is a faultless, adroitly composed book, entertaining in the old-fashioned sense, with the precision of a Swiss watch. - De Standaard der Letteren

You don’t even need to make a list to see that Peter Terrin is one of the handful of truly interesting authors writing in Dutch. **** - NRC Handelsblad

A flawless novel. (...) Terrin proves himself more than deserving of his wide readership. (...) Monte Carlo is a small masterpiece. - De Tijd

Beautiful prose, poetic style.**** - Algemeen Dagblad

Elegant and pulling no punches (...) Terrin plays his sonata calmly and with poise. Right from the first sentence his fingers glide with assurance over the piano keys – the touch is unassuming, the listener has to stay alert in order to hear everything. - Humo

After the success of Post Mortem, Terrin raises the bar of Flemish literature slightly higher still with this jewel that glitters like a freshly cut diamond. Astonishingly perfect sentences and a composition of Swiss quality. - Knack

Press on The Guard:

This masterly surrealist study of contemporary society, by a Flemish original, is worthy of the great JG Ballard. – Irish Times

The Guard is a novel that leaves you astonished with its beauty and completeness. – NRC Handelsblad