Jan Van Aken (1971) is a Belgian (Flemish) author. ‘Wytham Whales' is his fourth, but first English novel (no translation). His other Dutch titles are 'De Waterdief' (2015), 'Kwien of the fleas' (2017) and 'Phossils koffer' (2021). Van Aken is a language teacher (Dutch, English and German) in Antwerp, a cherished cook at home and an anglophile in heart and soul.
'It reminds me of Brexit, which had the same morbid impact, which had redefined the land as well. Not by rising water levels, like it is doing now, but by imposing distinct coastal borders. The idea of being trapped and isolated by unforgiving frontiers evokes new ethics and politics.
