HK

Herman Koch

61quotes

Herman Koch


Full Name and Common Aliases


Herman Koch is a renowned Dutch novelist, journalist, and essayist.

Birth and Death Dates


Born on September 5, 1948, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. As of my knowledge cutoff, he is still alive.

Nationality and Profession(s)


Koch's nationality is Dutch, and his profession spans multiple disciplines: novelist, journalist, and essayist.

Early Life and Background


Herman Koch grew up in a conservative Christian family in the Netherlands. His father was a businessman, and Koch has spoken about the influence of his father's strict upbringing on his writing. He attended the University of Leiden, where he studied law, but soon discovered that his true passion lay in writing.

Major Accomplishments


Koch is best known for his novel "The Dinner" (, 2009), which became an international bestseller and was translated into numerous languages. This psychological thriller revolves around a dinner party between two couples with dark secrets to share. Koch's writing often explores the complexities of human relationships, and this novel exemplifies that theme.

Notable Works or Actions


In addition to "The Dinner", Koch has published several other successful novels, including "August" (, 2008) and "Dear Mr. M" (, 2014). These works often delve into the intricacies of human relationships, exploring themes such as love, family dynamics, and personal identity.

Impact and Legacy


Koch's writing has been widely praised for its thought-provoking portrayal of the human condition. His novels have been translated into many languages and have sold millions of copies worldwide. As a result, he has become one of the most popular Dutch authors internationally.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered


Herman Koch's works are frequently quoted and remembered for several reasons:

Psychological complexity: His writing often delves into the intricacies of human relationships, making his characters relatable and complex.
 Thought-provoking themes: Koch explores universal themes that resonate with readers, such as love, family dynamics, and personal identity.
* Cultural significance: As a Dutch author, he provides insight into the Dutch culture and society through his writing.

Koch's ability to craft compelling stories has earned him a significant following worldwide. His works continue to be widely read and quoted for their thought-provoking themes and complex characters.

Quotes by Herman Koch

The chair was Claire’s, it belonged to my wife. Without a doubt, he could now feel her body heat, left behind on the seat, right through the cloth of his trousers. The thought of it made me furious.
"
The chair was Claire’s, it belonged to my wife. Without a doubt, he could now feel her body heat, left behind on the seat, right through the cloth of his trousers. The thought of it made me furious.
HK
It’s my experience that when people go on repeating your first name, they want something from you, and it’s usually not something you want to give.
"
It’s my experience that when people go on repeating your first name, they want something from you, and it’s usually not something you want to give.
HK
During a working day, there’s nothing I look forward to more than an evening of nothing at all. A meal. A beer or a glass of wine. The evening news on TV. A B movie or a soccer match. A working day like that gets off on the right foot. It’s a day with promise.
"
During a working day, there’s nothing I look forward to more than an evening of nothing at all. A meal. A beer or a glass of wine. The evening news on TV. A B movie or a soccer match. A working day like that gets off on the right foot. It’s a day with promise.
HK
Your wife’s willingness to allow a daughter to grow inside her who had, by all laws of probability, a fifty-percent chance of inheriting your face, is something you should view as a compliment. Perhaps the greatest compliment a woman can give a man.
"
Your wife’s willingness to allow a daughter to grow inside her who had, by all laws of probability, a fifty-percent chance of inheriting your face, is something you should view as a compliment. Perhaps the greatest compliment a woman can give a man.
HK
I let go of the pump as well now. I registered a sense of fatigue. And regret. It was the same fatigue and regret you feel when you miss a tennis ball. You were planning to smash it, but you swing hard and miss; the arm holding the racket meets no resistance and lashes wildly through the air.
"
I let go of the pump as well now. I registered a sense of fatigue. And regret. It was the same fatigue and regret you feel when you miss a tennis ball. You were planning to smash it, but you swing hard and miss; the arm holding the racket meets no resistance and lashes wildly through the air.
HK
What barely seemed to register with him was that those regular people were earning large sums of money off him, off the Dutchman with his summer home and his money, and it was in part for that reason that they continued to exercise a modicum of courtesy.
"
What barely seemed to register with him was that those regular people were earning large sums of money off him, off the Dutchman with his summer home and his money, and it was in part for that reason that they continued to exercise a modicum of courtesy.
HK
During a working day, there’s nothing I look forward to more than an evening of nothing at all. A meal. A beer or a glass of wine. The evening news on TV. A B movie or a soccer match. A working day like that gets off on the right foot. It’s a day with promise. With perspective, I should say. A countryside of hills rolling on and on, and in the distance the glimmer of the sea.
"
During a working day, there’s nothing I look forward to more than an evening of nothing at all. A meal. A beer or a glass of wine. The evening news on TV. A B movie or a soccer match. A working day like that gets off on the right foot. It’s a day with promise. With perspective, I should say. A countryside of hills rolling on and on, and in the distance the glimmer of the sea.
HK
A fixed appointment for the immediate future is the gates of hell;.
"
A fixed appointment for the immediate future is the gates of hell;.
HK
It was war. You’re better off winning a war than losing it. History teaches us that. And biology. You’re better off beating someone to death, than being beaten to death. From time immemorial, the man has guarded the entrance to the cave. Intruders are sent packing. People. Animals. A persistent intruder can’t say later that he hasn’t been warned.
"
It was war. You’re better off winning a war than losing it. History teaches us that. And biology. You’re better off beating someone to death, than being beaten to death. From time immemorial, the man has guarded the entrance to the cave. Intruders are sent packing. People. Animals. A persistent intruder can’t say later that he hasn’t been warned.
HK
For women, earrings are sort of what shaving is for men: the bigger the earrings, the more significant, the more festive, the evening.
"
For women, earrings are sort of what shaving is for men: the bigger the earrings, the more significant, the more festive, the evening.
HK
Showing 1 to 10 of 61 results