Herman Koch

Herman Koch is a Dutch writer and actor. He has written short stories, novels and columns. His best-selling novel "The Dinner" has been translated into 21 languages. He has acted for radio, television and film. He co-created the long-running TV series "Jiskefet." Koch's native language is Dutch. He also speaks English, German and Spanish.

Koch is an actor for radio, television and film. He contributed to the comedy show "Borát" for radio. Together with Kees Prins and Michiel Romeyn, Koch created the long-running absurdist and satiric series "Jiskefet" for television, in which he also acted. And he played minor roles in the movie "The Flying Liftboy" and the TV series "The Flying Liftboy" and "Voetbalvrouwen."

Koch is the author of short stories, novels and columns. His debut was "De voorbijganger" with short stories. His first novel was "Red ons, Maria Montanelli." In 2005, Koch wrote the text for the "Grand Dictation of the Dutch Language."

His sixth novel was "Het diner" (2009; The Dinner), which was translated into 21 languages including English, had sold over one million copies throughout Europe, and won the 2009 NS Audience award. A Dutch play of "The Dinner" was in theaters in 2012, and a Dutch movie of the book was released in 2013. An English language film adaptation to be directed by Cate Blanchett was announced in 2013.