Shelter

Taken from the author’s Dutch short story collection Nederzettigen, this trio of stories is follows various individuals trying to build an existence, who need to feel at home somewhere. Each character is displaced in a different way but, wherever they come from, all the characters have a conflicting longing for change and stability. In crystal clear language, Van Hassel tells three tales about restless times in a fragmented society.

Author Biography

Sanneke van Hassel writes and promotes short stories. She made her debut in 2005 with IJsregen, a short story collection praised for its slightly absurd atmosphere, poetic style and attention to detail. It was nominated for the Vrouw en Kultuur debut prize 2005 and for the Selexyz debutantenprijs 2006. Since then she has published several collections, essays and novels, including Witte veder, which won the BNG Literature Prize 2007. In 2013, Van Hassel was awarded the triennial Anna Blaman Prize for her entire oeuvre. Although she is seen as one of the leading Dutch exponents of the genre, this will be her first solo book in English. Amongst other single translations, her story, ‘Indian Time’ was included in The Penguin Book of Dutch Short Stories, and praised by the TLS. Her stories have also been translated into German, Bosnian, Serbian, Korean and in Croatian.