Gerbrand Bakker studied Dutch Language and Literature at the University of Amsterdam. He worked as a subtitle translator for nature films. He received professional gardening training at Clusius College. In 2006, with his debut novel The Twin (Boven is het stil), he became the first Dutch author to win the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. He also won the 2013 Independent Foreign Fiction Prize with The Detour (De omweg). He was knighted by the Dutch king.