Jay McInerney

Jay McInerney (1955), the enfant terrible of American literature, began his writing career in 1984 with the Manhattan novel Bright Lights, Big City, which immediately became a bestseller. McInerney was one of the first authors to write about subjects such as cocaine use and hedonism, and he helped start a trend of so-called yuppie fiction and MTV novels, written by mostly young authors such as Bret Easton Ellis and Michael Chabon.

McInerney now has eight novels to his name and remains an unmistakable presence in American literature. With his latest book Prachtige, dierbare dagen, he writes his third novel about the New York couple Calloway—a book in which McInerney explores the moral complexities of relationships, while painting a portrait of New York where Obama and Clinton are competing for leadership and the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers is looming.

Writer, journalist, and columnist Henk van Straten will interview Jay McInerney (in English).

In this book, Jay McInerney returns to the couple who previously formed the heart of the novels De schittering valt and Het goede leven, the New York Calloways. Russell and Corinne seem to lead the ultimate glamorous life. They move effortlessly from a literary evening to a chic benefit event, and both have careers that give them great satisfaction. Together with their children they live in a loft in Tribeca, and they spend their summers in the Hamptons.

However, their dream life is under pressure. Russell—an independent publisher—may have cultural influence, but financially he is a lightweight. Corinne does volunteer work and focuses on the less privileged in the city. Gradually, New York’s rising rents threaten to force the family out of their highly desirable neighbourhood.

When the man with whom Corinne had a dramatic affair in the aftermath of 9/11 reappears, and Russell is about to close a risky, expensive and potentially disastrous deal, the Calloways’ marriage is tested more severely than they ever thought possible.

“In this beautiful portrait of a marriage and a city in the shadow of the looming mortgage crisis, McInerney observes the passing seasons of life with painful and indelible clarity.” – Booklist

“There is no contemporary author as good as Jay McInerney” – Mail on Sunday

Prachtige, dierbare dagen is published by Hollands Diep. The book was translated from English by Joris Vermeulen and Nico Groen. The original title is Bright, Precious Days.

After the BorderKitchen event there will be an opportunity to have the book signed by Jay McInerney. Bookshop Van Stockum will be present to sell books on the evening.

Date: Wednesday 14 September
Start: 20.00
Location: Koorenhuis, Prinsegracht 27, The Hague
Tickets: €7.50 can be reserved via the BorderKitchen website