Reviews

The Latecomer by Dimitri Verhulst

xna98's review against another edition

funny lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

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

4.5

ibisette's review against another edition

5.0

Grappig, poëtisch, gevoelig, ontzettend origineel :)

shimons's review

funny lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.25

anna_pauline's review against another edition

funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

orb's review against another edition

lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

4.25

lergoo's review against another edition

dark funny lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.0

Wat voor een magistrale en smerige openingszin, dat begint al goed denkt men dan. En het bleef ook goed. Genoten heb ik van dit vluchtige boekje vol grollen en smerigheden! Het hoofdpersonage is alles simpelweg, zonder poef of paf, spuugzat. Dan maar dement worden, denkt hij. En zo gezegd zo gespeeld. 

Verhulst heeft de Vlaamse schrijversgeest met beide handen te pakken genomen! 

martheverduyn's review

emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

emmap_1109's review against another edition

funny tense fast-paced

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

3.5

rula_2005's review against another edition

dark emotional funny lighthearted 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

snoakes7001's review against another edition

5.0

How marvellous it is to discover a truly fabulous author you've never heard of before.
A chance encounter on Twitter gave me the opportunity to land an advance copy of the English translation of this (out in March) because I liked the cover (yeah, I'm shallow and superficial - so what?).
It really is a cracking read - a bittersweet portrait of ageing, dementia and the care of the elderly.
Désiré Cordier has had enough of family life, particularly of being hen-pecked by his wife Monique, and so he hatches a plan to escape - by simulating dementia. His story of how he hoodwinks everyone to get his wish to end his days living quietly in a care home is both wryly amusing and tender.
I'm struggling to think of any books to compare it to, but if you like subtle character-driven comedies (like TV's The Detectorists) then this could well be right up your street.
It'll probably be one of my books of the year and I now want to read everything else by Dimitri Verhulst that's been translated into English.