John Schwartz asked Kersti Niebruegge:

Hi Kersti: I entered your Giveaway for The Zonderling. In Dutch, zonderling means "weird," "peculiar," " odd," etc. like "The Queer One." So as a Dutchman living in the USA I was intrigued how you got to that title? Anyway, if I don't win, I'll buy the book. It looks fun. I am also writing about a girl, Francine, who just got her MBA in 2008 but cannot find a job in NY, till she finds one that gets her in trouble...

Kersti Niebruegge Yes, "zonderling" translates to an "eccentric or odd person," and the Dutch reference is a nod to the New Amsterdam history of New York City. As detailed early in the novel, the name of the character who founded The Zonderling residential hotel—home to eccentrics and oddballs—is Charlie Van Der Zonderling.

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