book the discomfort of evening by lucas rijneveld

the discomfort of evening by lucas rijneveld book by lucas rijneveld

dive into the profound and often unsettling world of "the discomfort of evening," a debut novel that has captured the attention of readers and critics alike. this powerful narrative explores themes of grief, faith, and the complexities of childhood innocence confronted by devastating loss. prepare to be drawn into a story that is both starkly realistic and surreally beautiful, offering a unique perspective on family dynamics under extreme emotional pressure. its a book that lingers, prompting reflection long after the final page is turned.

the discomfort of evening by lucas rijneveld summary

set in the rural netherlands on a devout farming familys dairy farm, "the discomfort of evening" centers on ten-year-old jas. her world is irrevocably altered when her beloved older brother, matthies, dies in a tragic ice-skating accident. consumed by grief and a peculiar sense of guilt, stemming from a desperate bargain she made with god before his death, jas finds her family unraveling. her parents, lost in their own sorrow, become increasingly distant, leaving jas and her siblings to navigate a landscape of fear, disturbing rituals, and morbid curiosity. the novel masterfully portrays the psychological impact of this profound loss through jass unique, often unnerving, childs-eye view. rijnevelds prose is both poetic and visceral, creating a world that feels intensely real yet dreamlike, exploring the ways children cope with trauma when adult guidance falters. this debut work is a raw and unflinching examination of a familys disintegration under the weight of unspeakable grief and rigid religious doctrine.

1. full book name: the discomfort of evening
2. author name: lucas rijneveld
3. genre: literary fiction, psychological fiction, drama
4. pages: 296 pages (us edition), 271 pages (uk edition)
5. isbn: 978-1-64445-034-5 (us paperback), 978-0-571-34936-4 (uk edition)
6. asin: not specified in search results
7. edition language: english (translated from dutch)
8. date of publication: january 31, 2018 (dutch), march 5, 2020 (english uk), august 18, 2020 (english us)

about the author lucas rijneveld

lucas rijneveld, born in 1991, is a dutch writer and poet known for their raw and evocative storytelling. growing up on a dairy farm in a strict reformed protestant family profoundly influenced their literary voice, often weaving themes of rural life, faith, and personal loss into their work. rijnevelds debut novel, "the discomfort of evening," garnered international acclaim, including the prestigious international booker prize in 2020, making them a significant contemporary voice in literature. they previously published poetry collections that also received critical attention.

the discomfort of evening by lucas rijneveld faq

1. what is "the discomfort of evening" about?

   the novel tells the story of jas, a young girl living on a dutch dairy farm with her strictly religious family. after her older brother dies in a tragic accident, the family begins to disintegrate under the weight of grief, and jas descends into disturbing fantasies and rituals as she tries to cope with her loss and guilt.

2. who wrote "the discomfort of evening"?

   the book was written by lucas rijneveld, a dutch author who won the 2020 international booker prize for this debut novel, shared with its translator michele hutchison.

3. what genre is "the discomfort of evening"?

   the book is primarily categorized as literary fiction, with strong elements of psychological fiction, drama, and a dark, often surreal, exploration of childhood trauma and grief.

4. what are the main themes explored in the book?

   key themes include childhood grief, the impact of religious dogma on family life, the boundaries between life and death, the coping mechanisms of children in the face of parental neglect, and the exploration of sexuality and fear in a repressed environment.

5. has "the discomfort of evening" won any awards?

   yes, "the discomfort of evening" won the prestigious international booker prize in 2020, and the anv debut award in the netherlands in 2019.