Terrin2
2014 Longlist

The Guard

Translated from Dutch to English
artwork-image

ABOUT
THE BOOK

Harry and Michel live in the basement of a luxury apartment block, guarding its residents. Over the course of a weekend, the residents leave the block one by one – all apart from a man on floor 29.

In the grey, airless monotony of the basement, Harry and Michel stick to their posts. The world might be at war or plunged into nuclear winter; they may be the last inhabitants in the city. All they know is that if they are vigilant, ‘the organisation’ will reward them: promotion to an elite cadre of security officers remains their shining goal, and their days are punctuated by vivid dreams of everything they are missing.

But what if there were no-one left to guard? And if the promised third officer arrives, how will he fit into Michel and Harry’s studied routine of boredom and paranoia?

 

 

Harry and Michel are guarding the inhabitants of a luxury apartment. No-one goes outside. All Harry and Michel know is that if they are vigilant, the organization will reward them. But what if there is no one left to guard?

ABOUT
THE AUTHOR Peter
Terrin

Peter Terrin, a Belgian writer, represents a unique voice in contemporary literature, touching on universal and highly topical themes. He is considered by critics to be a literary maverick, a classic writer and a masterful stylist. He is also an avid collector of vintage typewriters.

Peter Terrin, a Belgian writer, represents a unique voice in contemporary literature, touching on universal and highly topical themes. He is considered by critics to be a literary maverick, a classic writer and a masterful stylist. He is also an avid collector of vintage typewriters.

ABOUT
THE TRANSLATOR David
Colmer

David Colmer’s translations from the Dutch include works by Hugo Claus, Cees Nooteboom, Gerbrand Bakker and Annie M.G. Schmidt. His translations have won the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize and the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. In 2013 he won the Vondel Prize for his translation of Dimitri Verhulst’s The Misfortunates.

David Colmer’s translations from the Dutch include works by Hugo Claus, Cees Nooteboom, Gerbrand Bakker and Annie M.G. Schmidt. His translations have won the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize and the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. In 2013 he won the Vondel Prize for his translation of Dimitri Verhulst’s The Misfortunates.

NOMINATING LIBRARY COMMENTS

Chosen by our readers.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Date published
30/08/2012
Country
Belgium
Original Language
Dutch
Author
Publisher
MacLehose Press
Translator
David Colmer
Translation
Translated from Dutch to English

RELATED FEATURES

News May 23 2025

2025 Dublin Literary Award Winner Revealed

Discover this year's winner!
Video May 23 2025

2025 Dublin Literary Award Ceremony

2025 Dublin Literary Award Winner Ceremony live from the International Literature Festival Dublin.
Video May 23 2025

2019 Winner Emily Ruskovich

Dublin Literary Award Celebrating 30 Years Q&A
Video May 23 2025

2010 Winner Gerbrand Bakker

Dublin Literary Award Celebrating 30 Years Q&A

STAY CONNECTED

Stay in touch and sign up to our newsletter to receive all the latest news and updates on the Dublin Literary Award.