The story takes place during World War II and follows a young boy named Michiel who discovers that his father, whom he believed had died in the concentration camps, is actually alive and living in hiding under a false identity. Long detailed description of the plot: In "De man die zich mijn vader noemde" (The Man Who Called Himself My Father), Dutch author Harry Mulisch weaves a captivating tale of love, loss, and survival set against the backdrop of World War II. The story revolves around the life of a young boy named Michiel, whose world is turned upside down when he discovers that his supposedly deceased father is actually alive and living in hiding under a false identity. As the war rages on, Michiel embarks on a journey to uncover the truth about his family's past and confront the secrets that have been kept hidden from him for so long. The novel begins with Michiel's idyllic childhood in a small Dutch town, where he lives with his mother and grandparents.

''