Reviews tagging 'Violence'

The Dinner by Herman Koch

97 reviews

sgtz00's review against another edition

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Murder

Moderate: Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Classism

dianapendragon's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder

kailaelders's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

The first twenty chapters really dragged for me. They were full of Paul's exhausting condescension and judgement of everybody around him. He comes across as deeply insecure, misogynistic and violent from the start, although the extent of that violence is gradually revealed to be more and more literal and not just his intrusive thoughts. The central conflict, once it was finally revealed, did pique my interest, but I found the subsequent chapters to have another slow period before things started moving forward again. All the characters are insufferable and in some cases incorrigible, and by the end you're really rooting for their demise or at least some kind of justice. I think the story was intriguing but the way it was packaged just wasn't worth it for me.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Misogyny, Violence, Murder, and Classism

jennaz's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence

louisianasmith's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A dark morality tale that will disturb some readers. Draws heavily on elements of Crime And Punishment in an updated setting and an expanded group of characters. The primary narration also made me instantly think of Camus and the Outsider. This book is definitely not for everyone but does provide the opportunity for much discussion on humanity and morality and related themes. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Not a feel good novel.

elisalasater's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime, Violence, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism

Moderate: Mental illness

Minor: Abortion and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

floorvm's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Koch zn karakters vriend…. Hoe ze zo er van overtuigd zijn normaal te zijn, terwijl je langzamerhand gekke dingen begint op te merken… Sleept je helemaal mee. Ik had dit boek zo uit. Je zou wel kunnen zeggen dat dit een bijzondere familie is.
Ik had gehoopt dat de gerechten interessant zouden zijn vanwege het dure restaurant maar dat waren ze niet. Dat is niet Koch zn fout,  ik wilde het gewoon even zeggen.
Beetje jammer van t n-woord maar zou ook de bedoeling kunnen zijn(?)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Racial slurs

gibetal's review against another edition

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Moderate: Murder

beklovesbooks's review against another edition

dark slow-paced

3.75

Well done. Dark, creepy, sometimes hard to relate to. I like that it all takes place over one long dinner with flashbacks.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Physical abuse, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Moderate: Cursing, Death, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail

rosa96's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder and Classism

Moderate: Racism and Violence