Richard Russo

Richard Russo (1949) has written seven books since the late 1980s, including the bestseller Bridge der zuchten and Niemands gek. He is perhaps best known for his novel Empire Falls, for which he received the Pulitzer Prize in 2002. In 2005 he adapted the story for the HBO miniseries of the same name, which was also received with great acclaim. The New York Times has called Richard Russo “one of the best novelists around”, while John Irving describes him as “admirable”.

The American master storyteller is visiting on the occasion of the Dutch translation of his acclaimed classic Nobody’s Fool, now appearing in Dutch for the first time as Niemands gek.

Journalist and writer Arjan Visser will interview Russo on 28 September at the theatre of the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague.

About Niemands gek:
Donald Sully has lived for fifty years in the dull town of North Bath, north of New York. In all those years, he hasn’t had much luck. Divorced and now in a half-hearted relationship with someone else’s wife, he lives above his elderly former English teacher, who still occasionally lectures him.

Dealing with a bad knee and friends who make enemies unnecessary, he tries in his own way to make something of life. But then Sully faces a new problem: his estranged son threatens to follow in his father’s footsteps.

With refined and infectious humour and an understanding of both human folly and triumphs, Niemands gek is another fine example of Russo’s storytelling craft.

“Russo once again proves to be a sharp observer of human character, whose universal flaws he examines with humour and compassion” – Publishers Weekly

Niemands gek is published by Uitgeverij Signatuur. The book was translated from English by Kees Mollema. The original title is Nobody’s Fool.

Date: Wednesday 28 September 2016
Start: 20.00
Location: Royal Academy of Art (KABK), Prinsessegracht 4, The Hague
Tickets: €7.50 can be reserved via the BorderKitchen website. KABK students can reserve a ticket for €5 by emailing info@borderkitchen.nl