H. Bertens

Professor emeritus at Utrecht University, Hans Bertens is a Dutch academic known for work in comparative literature and American studies. He has written in both English and Dutch, with a focus on literary theory, postmodernism, and American literature.

He is especially well known to many readers for Literary Theory: The Basics, an accessible introduction that has been updated across multiple editions. His other books include The Idea of the Postmodern, and his work is often noted for explaining difficult debates in a direct, readable way.

Alongside his teaching and research, he has also served as Past President of the International Comparative Literature Association. Across his career, his writing has aimed to open up big literary questions without losing sight of clarity.