A freighter voyage to Suriname in 1957 provided the funds for Cees Nooteboom to marry his first wife, Fanny Lichtveld, a formative moment in a life defined by relentless movement. Born in The Hague in 1933, Nooteboom navigated a diverse career as a novelist, poet, journalist, and translator, eventually settling between Amsterdam, Germany, and the island of Menorca.
Formative Years and Early Career
Nooteboom’s youth was deeply marked by the Second World War, specifically the 1945 bombing of the Bezuidenhout in The Hague, which resulted in his father's death. Following his mother's remarriage in 1948, he attended Franciscan and Augustinian schools before completing his education at night school in Utrecht. After an initial tenure at a bank in Hilversum, he embarked on a period of extensive travel through Europe while establishing himself in journalism. He contributed to the weekly Elsevier between 1957 and 1960 and served at the newspaper de Volkskrant from 1961 to 1968, later becoming the travel editor for the magazine Avenue in 1967.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Literary Breakthrough
His debut novel, Philip en de anderen, published in 1954, earned him the Anne Frank Prize. A long hiatus from long-form fiction followed his 1963 work De ridder is gestorven, during which he focused on poetry and travel essays. He returned to prominence in 1980 with the publication of Rituelen. This novel, which secured the Pegasus Prize, became a catalyst for his international recognition when it was translated into English by Louisiana State University Press in 1983. This edition initiated a series of English-language translations that introduced his earlier and contemporary work to a broader global audience.
Travel Writing and Later Works
Beyond his fiction, Nooteboom was recognized for his extensive travelogues, including De omweg naar Santiago, an anthology reflecting his deep engagement with Spain, which influenced musical compositions by Benet Casablancas. His experiences in Germany were documented in the collection Berlijn 1989–2009. Among his notable works, The Following Story, written for the 1991 Dutch Boekenweek, achieved significant success in English-speaking markets and received the Aristeion Prize in 1993. His later career was characterized by consistent output in prose, poetry, and essay, as well as an honorary doctorate from UCL in 2019.
Fast facts
- Born: 1933, The Hague
- Died: 2026, Sant Lluís, Menorca
- First novel: Philip en de anderen (1954)
- Significant novel: Rituelen (1980)
- P.C. Hooft Award: 2004
- Dutch Literature Prize: 2009
- Membership: Academy of Arts, Berlin
- Honorary Doctorate: UCL, 2019
Questions readers ask
What is Cees Nooteboom's most recognized work in English?
The Following Story (1991) is generally considered his most widely read work by English-speaking audiences.
Did Nooteboom reside in one country throughout his life?
No, he divided his time between Amsterdam, Germany, and the island of Menorca.
Achievements
- Constantijn Huygens Prize — 1992
- Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Jan Campert Prize for poetry — 1978
- Charlemagne Medal for European Media — 2001
- Dutch Literature Prize — 2009
