The Anxiety Project

Herman Koch's The Anxiety Project is a fascinating blend of a book about one of the major contemporary causes of sickness and unhappiness, recognizing ourselves, our restlessness, and insecurity. Daan Heerma van Voss is seventy-four times as anxious as the average person, making him hard to live with. He seeks answers to why 264 million people worldwide suffer from anxiety and how to love when living in a constant state of fear. The book combines sharp musings with a raw and honest dissection of a relationship undercut by fear, appealing to anyone trying to remain calm on our nervous planet.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 28 September 2023
Publisher: Quercus Publishing

The most captivating Dutch writer of his generation, Herman Koch, has crafted a remarkable work that delves into one of the primary contemporary sources of illness and unhappiness. Within its pages, we find ourselves reflected, recognizing our restlessness and insecurity. George Szirtes, in his review, expresses his profound connection to the book, noting that something inside him refuses to let him rest.

Daan Heerma van Voss, however, is not merely anxious. According to tests conducted on his hair, his cortisone levels indicate a staggering seventy-four times the average anxiety level. This extreme level of anxiety makes him challenging to live with. When another relationship falls victim to his crippling fears, the only way to cope is to delve into the roots of his condition. He desires to explore deeper and address the fundamental questions. Why are approximately 264 million people worldwide grappling with anxiety, and why is this number steadily increasing? Is it inherited? Are there connections with creativity? And how can one find love amidst a constant state of fear?

In his pursuit of answers, he embarks on a deeply moving journey, traversing from his apartment in Amsterdam to France, Jakarta, and San Francisco. Along the way, he encounters philosophers, artists, writers, and other fascinating individuals from diverse corners of the world. This journey is also a literary exploration, encompassing the classics, the history of anxiety, and the scientific intricacies behind it.

The Anxiety Project is a timely, scholarly, and heartfelt work that seamlessly blends the sharp insights of a curious mind with a raw and honest dissection of a relationship hindered by fear. It resonates with anyone seeking to maintain composure in our increasingly nervous world.

Translated from the Dutch by David Doherty, The Anxiety Project offers a profound and captivating exploration of anxiety, making it a must-read for those seeking understanding and solace in our anxious times.

Weight: 530g
Dimension: 164 x 242 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529421842