Books

The Adventure Illusion
Why Life is Not A Journey
Co-authored with Arjen Kleinherenbrink
Bloomsbury 2026

Anyone would prefer an adventurous life over a mundane one… wouldn’t they?

Even those of us who wouldn’t find ourselves caught up in stories of adventure at every turn – in the films we watch, the books we read, the podcasts we listen to. That thirst for thrilling experiences, travels to faraway lands, or passionate love affairs is what prompts this book’s central question: is adventure really what we want? The Adventure Illusion explores how the promise of adventure has become one of the most compelling and powerful narratives in popular culture and contemporary society. The notion that everything has a purpose and leads to a satisfying resolution has taken hold of every level of our society, from politics to consumer culture, but ultimately leads only to frustration and disappointment.

Diep van buiten
De mens volgens Sartre
Boom 2022

Diep van buiten (Deep Down Outside) is the first extensive study of the work of Jean-Paul Sartre originally written in Dutch. Intended for a non-academic audience, it gives readers insight into his ideas concerning subjectivity and identity. Furthermore, it shows the relevance of Sartre’s existential philosophy for the 21st century and the seemingly endless possibilities for shaping our identity which we nowadays face. For more information, see the interviews (in Dutch) on Filosofie.nl and Radboud Recharge, or read a fragment on Historiek.net.

Sartre on Subjectivity and Selfhood
The Self as a Thing Among Things
Palgrave Macmillan 2020

Although Jean-Paul Sartre is a prominent philosopher, the reception of his work is shrouded in misguided ideas concerning his alleged subjectivism. This book positions Sartre in debates concerning subjectivity and selfhood, concepts which form a guiding thread throughout his work and remain immensely relevant in the philosophical landscape of today.

Avonturen bestaan niet
Co-authored with Arjen Kleinherenbrink
Boom 2018

Avonturen bestaan niet (Adventures do not exist) concerns our contemporary desire for adventure, in our own lives as well as in fiction. It studies the ideology, history and origin of adventure stories and shows how these rose to prominence in our society. Moreover, it also criticizes the insatiable lust for an overly epic life from an existentialist perspective.