Robert Seethaler

On 4 June, Austrian/German bestselling author Robert Seethaler will be a guest at BorderKitchen. He will talk about his novel Een heel leven, the book that marked his definitive breakthrough in Germany. Robert Seethaler was born in 1966 in Vienna. He has written several novels, including the highly successful Der Trafikant. Een heel leven has remained in the bestseller lists since its publication and was chosen as Book of the Year by German booksellers. The author will be interviewed in German by Jeroen van Kan.

In Een heel leven, Robert Seethaler tells the story of Andreas Egger. When Egger first arrives in the valley where he will spend his entire life, he is about four years old. Farmer Kranzstocker reluctantly takes him in, and Egger grows up as a farmhand who remembers little of his own origins beyond a vague feeling of warmth. As a young man he joins a group of labourers building the first cable railway in the area, bringing electricity — and for the first time light and noise — into the valley. Then, on the day of a tragic accident, Egger suddenly comes face to face with the love of his life, Marie, whom he quickly loses again. Only many years later, when the world has changed and Egger walks his final path, will she be with him one last time.

“What an extraordinary author Robert Seethaler is, that he can move us so deeply with this unforgettable book.” – Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

“What an achievement: Robert Seethaler has succeeded in writing a multifaceted, beautiful and impressive book about an ordinary man.” – ARD

“Every word, every sentence - everything is exactly where it should be. The delicate, elegant song of an entire human life.” – Die Literarische Welt

Een heel leven is published by De Bezige Bij. The original title is Ein ganzes Leben, translated from German by Liesbeth van Nes.

After the interview, there will be an opportunity to purchase the book (book table provided by Van Stockum bookstore) and have it signed.

This BorderKitchen is organised in collaboration with the Austrian Embassy in The Hague and the Genootschap Nederland Duitsland.

Date: Thursday 4 June
Time: 20.00
Location: BorderKitchen, Kerkstraat 11, The Hague
Tickets: €5 can be reserved via 070-3462355 or info@borderkitchen.nl