‘Reading the Hospital Together’ Book Club
Programme
What could a hospital look like in the future? In the Reading the Hospital Together bilingual book club, we explore this question through stories that speculate about hospitals in unexpected ways. At each of the three bilingual meetings, an acclaimed novel becomes a starting point for conversations about the hospitals we know today and the ones we might create tomorrow. All residents of Maastricht and the region are warmly invited to join!
10 December 2026: The Children's Hospital by Chris Adrian
(2006; Dutch translation: Het kinderziekenhuis)
A children's hospital survives a post-apocalyptic flood. In their new reality, the children are now in charge. They redefine what a hospital could be, offering a different perspective on care and responsibility.
14 January 2027: Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
(2005; Dutch translation: Laat me nooit alleen)
A group of young people, raised in a seemingly idyllic boarding school, gradually discover the disturbing purpose of their upbringing. Through their relationships and memories, the novel raises questions about morality and the ethical boundaries of medical progress.
18 February 2027: The public choice
The book for the final session will be chosen by the public. Vote for the book that will conclude the series!
The book club is led by two researchers from Maastricht University’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Anna Harris is the Principal Investigator of the ERC-funded project The UpCycled Clinic, which explores creative repurposing practices that reimagine hospitals. Elsje Fourie was the Principal Investigator of the NWO-funded project The Global Novel, which looked into how readers experience and talk about globally successful novels in book clubs. Each gathering will also bring together local clinicians and academics from Maastricht University as guest participants.
About the event
- Location: Boekhandel Dominicanen, Dominicanerkerkstraat 1, Maastricht.
- Participants will receive a free printed copy of the book, which can be collected from Boekhandel Dominicanen. You can choose which language you would like to read the book in (Dutch or English).
- Registration: Register here for the first and/or second meeting. Registration for the third meeting will open after the public vote has concluded. Cast your vote here. Registration does not guarantee a place in the reading club. Participants are selected based on their motivation, with the aim of creating a diverse group with a wide range of perspectives.
These meetings are funded by Join UM50 and the European Research Council (The Upcycled Clinic).