Harry Mulisch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harry Mulisch
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Mulisch in 1981
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| Born | Harry Kurt Victor Mulisch 29 July 1927 Haarlem, Netherlands |
| Died | 30 October 2010 (aged 83) Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Resting place | Zorgvlied, Amsterdam |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Language | Dutch |
| Period | 1952–2001 |
| Genre | Novels, plays, essays, poems |
| Notable works | The Discovery of Heaven (1992) |
| Notable awards | List |
| Spouse | Sjoerdje Woudenberg (m. 1971) |
| Partner | Kitty Saal |
| Children | Anna (1971) Frieda (1974) Menzo (1992) |
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Harry Kurt Victor Mulisch was a famous Dutch writer who lived from 1927 to 2010. He wrote over 80 books, including novels, plays, and poems. His books have been translated into more than 30 languages.
He was one of the "Great Three" Dutch writers after World War II. His book The Assault (1982) became a movie that won an Oscar and a Golden Globe award! Many people in the Netherlands loved his books. In 2007, readers voted his novel The Discovery of Heaven (1992) the best Dutch book ever. He won several awards, including the 2007 International Nonino Prize in Italy.
Contents
About Harry Mulisch
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Harry Mulisch was born in Haarlem, Netherlands, on July 29, 1927. His father came from Austria-Hungary. He moved to the Netherlands after the First World War. During World War II, Harry's father worked for a German bank. This bank also handled money taken from Jewish people.
Harry's mother, Alice Schwarz, was Jewish. Harry and his mother were not sent to a concentration camp. This was because his father worked with the German authorities. However, Harry's grandmother was killed in a gas chamber. Harry was mostly raised by his parents' housemaid, Frieda Falk. Harry Mulisch once said that he didn't just write about World War II, he was World War II.
Harry Mulisch lived in Amsterdam from 1958 until he passed away in 2010. He had two daughters, Frieda and Anna, with his wife Sjoerdje Woudenberg. He also had a son, Menzo, from his relationship with Kitty Saal.
His Death
Harry Mulisch died at his home in Amsterdam on October 30, 2010. His family was with him. The Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte, said his death was "a loss for Dutch literature and the Netherlands." Many people around the world recognized his talent. He was known for writing clearly about important ideas.
His Famous Books
Mulisch became famous internationally because of the film The Assault (1986). This movie was based on his book of the same name (1982). The film won an Oscar and a Golden Globe for best foreign movie. The book has been translated into more than 20 languages.
His novel The Discovery of Heaven (1992) is thought to be his best work. In 2007, Dutch readers voted it "the best Dutch-language book ever." One lawyer in Amsterdam said, "It is the book that shaped our generation." This book was made into a movie in 2001.
Mulisch received many awards for his books and his whole career. The most important was the Prijs der Nederlandse Letteren (Prize of Dutch Literature) in 1995. This award celebrates a writer's lifetime achievements.
Main Ideas in His Work
A common topic in Harry Mulisch's books is World War II. His father worked for the Germans during the war. He went to prison for three years afterward. The war happened during Harry's childhood and teenage years. This had a big impact on his life and his writing.
In 1963, he wrote a non-fiction book called Criminal Case 40/61. It was about the Eichmann trial. Important books set during World War II include De Aanslag (The Assault), Het stenen bruidsbed, and Siegfried.
Mulisch often used old stories or myths in his writing. He used ideas from Greek mythology (like in De Elementen). He also used Jewish mysticism (in De ontdekking van de Hemel and De Procedure). His books are widely read and enjoyed by many.
Awards and Recognitions
Honours
- 1977: Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau (Netherlands)
- 1992: Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau (Netherlands)
- 1997: Commander of the Order of the Netherlands Lion
- 2001: Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters (France)
- 2002: Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
Awards
- 1951: Reina Prinsen Geerligs Award, for the novel "archibald strohalm"
- 1957: De Bijenkorf Literary Award, for the novel "The Black Light"
- 1957: Anne Frank Award, for novel "archibald strohalm"
- 1961: Athos Prize, for lifetime achievement
- 1961: ANV-Visser Neerlandia Prize, for the play "Tanchelijn"
- 1963: Vijverberg Prize, for the report "Criminal Case 40/61"
- 1977: Constantijn Huygens Prize, for lifetime achievement
- 1977: Cestoda Prize
- 1977: P. C. Hooft Award, for lifetime achievement
- 1986: Deep Sea Award, for the novel "The Assault"
- 1993: Multatuli Prize, for the novel "The Discovery of Heaven"
- 1993: Mecca Award, for the novel "The Discovery of Heaven"
- 1995: Dutch Literature Prize, for his whole oeuvre
- 1999: Libris Prize, for the novel The procedure
- 1999: Prix Jean Monnet de Littérature Européenne, French prize for the novel "The Discovery of Heaven"
- 2003: Inktaap prize, for the novel "Siegfried"
- 2003: Premio Flaiano, Italian prize for literature
- 2007: Prix européen des jeunes lecteurs, French prize for the novel "Siegfried"
- 2007: Honorary Doctorate from the University of Amsterdam
- 2007: International Nonino Prize, Italian prize for literature
- 2007: shortlisted for the International Booker Prize.
- 2007: Prize for best Dutch novel of all time, for the novel "The Discovery of Heaven"
- 2009: Golden Century Award, for his entire oeuvre
Planetoid Named After Him
A planetoid (a small space rock) was named after Harry Mulisch on October 12, 2006. It is called 10251 Mulisch.
See also
In Spanish: Harry Mulisch para niños
