Hermann, Iselin C. 1959-

PERSONAL:

Born 1959.

ADDRESSES:

Agent—c/o Author Mail, Grove/ Atlantic, Inc., 841 Broadway, 4th Fl., New York, NY 10003.

CAREER:

Writer. Editor for a publishing house.

WRITINGS:

Prioritaire, 1998, translated by G. Forester as Priority: A Correspondence Published by Jean-Luc Foreur, Grove Press (New York, NY), 2000.

Fadul and the Big Blunder (originally published as Fadul og hele faæsen), 2005.

Also author of Der hvor månen ligger ned.

SIDELIGHTS:

Dutch author Iselin C. Hermann's debut novel, Priority: A Correspondence Published by Jean-Luc Foreur, is a love story carried out through letters. When Delphine writes a fan letter to painter Jean-Luc Foreur, a relationship blossoms between the two; they share a lot of feelings in common about the world and art. However, Jean-Luc makes repeated excuses not to meet her, and her love goes unrequited. A few reviewers, including a Kirkus Reviews critic, described the book as a "slight" novel. Laura Miller, writing in the Washington Post Book World, found that Hermann offers some "moments of lovely writing," but the critic felt that Delphine's repeated urgings for love made for a "load of hooey" that is unconvincing. A number of reviewers, though, appreciated the end of the tale most, because it includes "a satisfying twist," according to Library Journal writer Barbara Hoffert. Booklist contributor Carolyn Kubisz was more enthusiastic. While admitting the novel has some shortcomings, she asserted that "Hermann is good at keeping the letters honest and interesting and her characters real and vulnerable."

After her debut book, Hermann wrote another novel, Der hvor månen ligger ned, and a children's book, which has been translated as Fadul and the Big Blunder, a tale set in historic Damascus.

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, May 15, 2000, Carolyn Kubisz, review of Priority: A Correspondence published by Jean-Luc Foreur, p. 1730.

Kirkus Reviews, May 1, 2000, review of Priority, pp. 584-585.

Library Journal, June 15, 2000, Barbara Hoffert, review of Priority, p. 116.

Publishers Weekly, April 24, 2000, review of Priority, p. 59.

Washington Post Book World, July 23, 2000, Laura Miller, "All Too Willing," review of Priority, p. 8.