The Whole of the Netherlands Reads – Open Reading Club: ‘The Dinner’

Do you enjoy reading and do you ever find yourself wondering, after finishing a book, why the author chose a particular narrative perspective or that unexpected plot twist? Or do you like to discuss with others what the author really meant? Then this one-off book club is for you! During this open book club, we’ll be discussing the book that takes centre stage in November as part of the ‘Heel Nederland Leest’ initiative: ‘Het diner’ by Herman Koch.

About this book club: once you’ve registered, you’ll receive a message as soon as the complimentary book and the accompanying reading guide, containing additional information, are ready for you. You’ll read the book independently before the meeting. During the meeting, led by Jan Hoogendoorn, you will discuss the story, the themes and the author. About *The Dinner* Two couples go out for dinner at a restaurant one evening. They talk about everyday things – the sort of things people talk about over dinner: work, the latest films, holiday plans. But all the while, they avoid the very thing they really ought to be discussing: their children. Herman Koch achieved international acclaim with *The Dinner*, an unparalleled novel that raises the question of to what extent, as a parent, you are responsible for your own child’s actions. In fluid prose, Herman Koch presents the reader with a blood-curdling story that unfolds over the course of a single evening. In November, the whole of the Netherlands will be reading the same book: *The Dinner* by Herman Koch. From 1 November, you can collect this gift book from your local library. Throughout this month, the Zuid-Hollandse Eilanden Library is organising various activities based on (themes from) this book. Will you be joining in?