Great European Novel

In ‘Great European Novel’ – a tongue-in-cheek reference to ‘The Great American Novel’ – Koen Peeters has found the perfect form for a book about Europe and the European idea that lies behind it.
The main character, Robin, young and ambitious, takes a tour of all the capital cities of Europe on behalf of his world-weary employer, looking for new marketing strategies for promotional gifts. During his trip, however, he spends more and more time compiling word lists, impressions and reports of conversations and meetings.
Peeters’ main characters reflect both the old continent’s weariness and its determination to live. This uncommonly rich and subtle novel has the finesse of an allegory.

Peeters’ style has secured his extraordinary reputation in the world of Dutch-language literature. He writes inventive, efficient, succinctly comic prose, characterized by a restrained yet sparkling style interlaced with mild sarcasm and sincere empathy.
Peeters deals with themes such as identity, fame and mortality, and the attempts writers make to gain insight into nature and how it functions. With a typically Belgian absurdism, he brings together the most improbable subjects in his literary constructs.