Jaap Robben and David Doherty on Summer Brother
Author Jaap Robben and translator David Doherty talk to us about the 2021 International Booker Prize-longlisted novel Summer Brother.
Jaap Robben’s compassionate coming-of-age tale is a tender account of brotherly love in a dysfunctional family setting. Translated by David Doherty.
Thirteen-year-old Brian lives in a trailer on a forgotten patch of land with his uncaring father. His older brother Lucien, physically and mentally disabled, has been institutionalised for years. Lucien is sent back to live with his family for the summer. Their disinterested father leaves Brian to care for Lucien’s special needs. But how do you look after someone when you don’t know what they need? How do you make the right choices when you still have so much to discover?
Jaap Robben
About the Author
Jaap Robben is a poet, playwright, performer and acclaimed children’s author.
David Doherty
About the Translator
David Doherty studied English and literary linguistics in the UK before moving to the Netherlands, where he has been translating Dutch texts since 1996.