Adriaan van Dis has won the 2024 NS Audience Award with his novel *Towards softness and a warm embrace*.
The book was named Book of the Year 2024 after receiving over 21% of the nearly 100.000 votes. The award ceremony took place on Wednesday evening at Een Vandaag, where Eveline Aendekerk, director of the Stichting Collectieve Propaganda van het Nederlandse Boek (CPNB), announced the news.
Van Dis was deeply moved by the recognition. “I am happy. Very happy that so many readers cast their votes for a novel about a woman whose voice was not heard at the time,” the writer said. It is the second time that Van Dis has won the prestigious readers' award; in 1995 he was also awarded for his masterpiece *Indische duinen*. He was also previously nominated for *De wandelaar* in 2007 and *Ik kom terug* in 2015.
strong competition
The competition for the NS Audience Award 2024 was a solid year, with five other titles that also attracted many readers. In addition to *To softness and a warm embrace*, the following were nominated: *Alkibiades* by Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer, *How to survive everything I tell nobody* by Francine Oomen, *I'll come back to this* by Rob van Essen, *Luister* by Sacha Bronwasser and *Nirwana* by Tommy Wieringa. These six books are among the best-selling titles in the Netherlands between 1 July 2023 and 1 July 2024, and reflect the diversity and quality of contemporary Dutch-language literature.
With an overwhelming number of votes, Van Dis still managed to distinguish herself. According to critics, the strength of the winning book lies in the poignant themes and the masterful writing style. The story, which focuses on the forgotten voices of women, struck a chord with readers of all ages.
The promotional campaign for the NS Audience Award had a special addition this year: a specially decorated NS Audience Award train. Between 18 October and the presentation, travellers could talk to the nominated authors on this train. This unique setting offered book lovers a chance to learn more about the stories and their creators. The campaign attracted a lot of interest, with full trains and enthusiastic conversations between writers and readers.
The NS Publieksprijs train proved to be a successful formula. Travelers were not only inspired by the encounters, but also encouraged to cast their vote. The Dutch public could vote via the NS Publieksprijs website, with a chance to win prizes such as a year of free train travel and a monthly book package.
prestigious award
The NS Audience Award, which has been presented annually since 1987, has become the most important readers' award in the Netherlands. The winner not only receives the title Book of the Year, but also a sculpture by Jeroen Henneman, a cash prize of €7.500 and extra visibility through promotion on NS screens in the week following the award ceremony.
With *To softness and a warm embrace* Van Dis adds another important award to his impressive oeuvre. The book has touched not only the literary world, but also a broad readership. Van Dis joins an illustrious list of winners who have been awarded by the public in recent decades.
