Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Het diner by Herman Koch

96 reviews

laurenmiller100's review against another edition

challenging dark tense medium-paced

• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

• Characters: 7 - I dislike all of the characters, but that’s the point. The slow reveals of their natures is intentional.
• Atmosphere/Setting: 8 - I really enjoyed the framing narrative. I think at times it would have been better to avoid some of the Paul side stories. Especially during the main course. It slowed things down when I was really wanting more information.
• Writing Style: 7
• Plot: 8
• Intrigue: 9
• Logic/Relationships: 9
• Enjoyment: 7 As others have mentioned, this is a bit of a difficult read. I just do not want to be in Paul’s head.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Murder

mattyvreads's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.5

Undeniably, a well-written book. It was not for me. I think the book pointed to a lot of human / societal failings, without saying much about them.

Not the most fun read, certainly; nor was it a complete waste of time. G-d damn, I love any excuse to say "nor"...

:)

Update: This book might be a good companion read while watching season 3 of Real Housewives of Miami. Art imitates life. Art reflects the truth.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder, and Classism

Moderate: Body horror and Gore

Minor: Pedophilia and Rape

meshuganush's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.0

The way that this book was organized was very cool. The narrator goes back and forth between the dinner and his past in a way that is very easy to follow and moves the story along. The tension at the table was so well done! 

I would say none of the characters are likeable and I didn't root for any of them but I was still enthralled and had to know what happened!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Racism, Violence, Murder, and Classism

Moderate: Misogyny and Antisemitism

lisapparition's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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: Violence and Classism

Moderate: Mental illness, Miscarriage, and Racism

imandubose's review against another edition

dark slow-paced

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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime, Mental illness, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury

gladosisreading's review against another edition

challenging dark funny tense medium-paced

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

4.0

The characters being so unlikeable and the story being so beyond belief reprehensible is what made this book so good. Hard disagree with those who say you have to identify with the characters or enjoy the plot to love a book. Great dark comedy

(plus an unreliable narrator is always a bonus

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Mental illness, Racism, and Classism

afabbi'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

3.75

The writing is great, the story is interesting and told from an interesting perspective, but the characters are bad people who don't have any development throughout the story

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Violence, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism

Minor: Child death, Chronic illness, and Blood

mrsmishler's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Murder

Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism

graceehobbss's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

like father like son

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Violence

missgrangerr's review against another edition

Beyond boring!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury