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3.33 AVERAGE
3.33 AVERAGE
My sincere thanks to Hogarth Publishing & Netgalley for providing the e-galley of this book to be published June 2014.
In Koch's hands Summer House with Swimming Pool is like a sculpture. Koch, the sculptor, forms a piece of art, his words used like a hunk of clay that he carves in intricate layers before our eyes. He is a master at presenting characters that are not only unlikeable but are disturbing.
We are sucked in slowly, introduced to general practitioner, Dr. Marc Schlosser. Before long, we wonder just what kind of doctor is he, this man who views his patients with contempt and has utter disregard for the human body. He examines his patients using tactics to avoid any contact with human flesh, rarely having them disrobe for a complete exam, never taking seriously the medical treatment or advice they may need. This doctor truly nauseates me but the thoughts that go through his mind fascinate me nonetheless.
Then one of Dr. Schlosser's patients, if not a good friend, at least an acquaintance, dies. Is this medical euthanasia , malpractice, or something far more sinister?
As he did so well in The Dinner, Koch manages to weave a complicated, tangled psychological story with just a handful of skillfully developed characters. Highly recommended.
In Koch's hands Summer House with Swimming Pool is like a sculpture. Koch, the sculptor, forms a piece of art, his words used like a hunk of clay that he carves in intricate layers before our eyes. He is a master at presenting characters that are not only unlikeable but are disturbing.
We are sucked in slowly, introduced to general practitioner, Dr. Marc Schlosser. Before long, we wonder just what kind of doctor is he, this man who views his patients with contempt and has utter disregard for the human body. He examines his patients using tactics to avoid any contact with human flesh, rarely having them disrobe for a complete exam, never taking seriously the medical treatment or advice they may need. This doctor truly nauseates me but the thoughts that go through his mind fascinate me nonetheless.
Then one of Dr. Schlosser's patients, if not a good friend, at least an acquaintance, dies. Is this medical euthanasia , malpractice, or something far more sinister?
As he did so well in The Dinner, Koch manages to weave a complicated, tangled psychological story with just a handful of skillfully developed characters. Highly recommended.
Tonally, this was very similar to Koch's novel The Dinner, which I loved, but I didn't want another replay. Still, the guy writes amazing tension and darkness, and he's definitely not afraid of unlikable characters and unreliable narrators. I'll definitely read his next book.
I did not like this book. It probably has to do with the main character being a disgusting, narcissistic person, who was the narrator as well which made the book only more horrible.
The only reason why I continued to listen (as it was an audiobook) was that I wanted to know the story. So in that case, the writer did an excellent job. I wanted to know what happened and I wanted to know what was going to happen (a bit of a shame it was an open ending but not bad). Which was why the book was okay, shame the main character was an asshole.
The characters were not flat either, they were interesting, some a little more detailed then others but that makes sense. Could not say I really liked anyone in the end, but well that's not the point of reading (it does make it easier, definitely). All with all I would not reread it, glad I have read it, would see about the next.
The only reason why I continued to listen (as it was an audiobook) was that I wanted to know the story. So in that case, the writer did an excellent job. I wanted to know what happened and I wanted to know what was going to happen (a bit of a shame it was an open ending but not bad). Which was why the book was okay, shame the main character was an asshole.
The characters were not flat either, they were interesting, some a little more detailed then others but that makes sense. Could not say I really liked anyone in the end, but well that's not the point of reading (it does make it easier, definitely). All with all I would not reread it, glad I have read it, would see about the next.
Nobody does unlikeable characters like Herman Koch. No other writer makes me feel as uncomfortable as Koch's writing does. I can make this generalisation now that I read, well, listened to, three of his books.
How I felt about this novel could be summarised by the following "eloquent" expressions: "Ewww", "Oh, No, you didn't just think/say that!?", "WOW", "Holly $%&t", plus a few more unsavoury thoughts about men, that I will spare you (You're welcome ;-) ).
Our unreliable narrator and protagonist is Dr. Marc Schlosser, a general practitioner, who dislikes his patients, seeing their ugly bodies, with their saggy, hairy, moist places where the sun doesn't shine. (Don't shoot the messenger, Koch is much more descriptive). The dude is not very kind towards fat people, people who drink (as someone who is over the glorification of "getting pissed" as some sort of virtue, I found his stance on drinking and hardened livers somewhat refreshing, although, I've never heard of livers exploding).
Koch is great at unravelling the contradictions of the human nature, the dichotomy of thought and action. Most characters are unlikeable, but the men are horrible, despicable, deplorable, vile, and/or pathetic.
If you're after a feel-good story, don't pick one of Koch's novels. If you like being challenged, surprised, horrified, grossed out, and also don't mind hearing some unspeakable, unlikeable opinions, then you'll enjoy, better said, appreciate Koch's twisted mind.
Now I need to find a fluffy and life-is-wonderful read, as I feel like I need a cleanse after reading Summer House With Swimming Pool.
How I felt about this novel could be summarised by the following "eloquent" expressions: "Ewww", "Oh, No, you didn't just think/say that!?", "WOW", "Holly $%&t", plus a few more unsavoury thoughts about men, that I will spare you (You're welcome ;-) ).
Our unreliable narrator and protagonist is Dr. Marc Schlosser, a general practitioner, who dislikes his patients, seeing their ugly bodies, with their saggy, hairy, moist places where the sun doesn't shine. (Don't shoot the messenger, Koch is much more descriptive). The dude is not very kind towards fat people, people who drink (as someone who is over the glorification of "getting pissed" as some sort of virtue, I found his stance on drinking and hardened livers somewhat refreshing, although, I've never heard of livers exploding).
Koch is great at unravelling the contradictions of the human nature, the dichotomy of thought and action. Most characters are unlikeable, but the men are horrible, despicable, deplorable, vile, and/or pathetic.
If you're after a feel-good story, don't pick one of Koch's novels. If you like being challenged, surprised, horrified, grossed out, and also don't mind hearing some unspeakable, unlikeable opinions, then you'll enjoy, better said, appreciate Koch's twisted mind.
Now I need to find a fluffy and life-is-wonderful read, as I feel like I need a cleanse after reading Summer House With Swimming Pool.
So glad to have heard about this book on one of the book podcasts I listen to. I first read The Dinner by this author and was very impressed.
Now to turn to this book. I think I was expecting something like the Dinner, but it was different. I really enjoyed this narrator (even if he wasn't a particularly good person).
Very impressed and I would recommend this book and this author!
Now to turn to this book. I think I was expecting something like the Dinner, but it was different. I really enjoyed this narrator (even if he wasn't a particularly good person).
Very impressed and I would recommend this book and this author!
This book is similar to the author's previous, The Dinner. The characters are not necessarily likable however they are not unlikeable. It takes awhile to figure out the cause is because, unlike most books where the main characters may be flawed but always strive to be the best possible person, the characters here are very human and fundamentally flawed.
It is hard to determine if the some of the characters are struggling to rectify their flaws and become better people, or if they simply recognize how close they can get before they cross the line of what is considered socially acceptable
The main narrator's struggles within this grey area vacillate between lighter and darker shades of the grey spectrum before finally crossing to one of the sides permanently. Whether or not he is correct in the decision does not matter to him because he believes he is right and took the only possible action
At times, I would struggle to stay focused on the story but the mystery of the interactions and consequences of the characters decisions made me want to get to the next chapter
It is hard to determine if the some of the characters are struggling to rectify their flaws and become better people, or if they simply recognize how close they can get before they cross the line of what is considered socially acceptable
The main narrator's struggles within this grey area vacillate between lighter and darker shades of the grey spectrum before finally crossing to one of the sides permanently. Whether or not he is correct in the decision does not matter to him because he believes he is right and took the only possible action
At times, I would struggle to stay focused on the story but the mystery of the interactions and consequences of the characters decisions made me want to get to the next chapter
I liked this better than The Diner - I read an ARC of both, and maybe the translation was off with The Diner. This was a much more cohesive story, or so I felt. Same unreliable narrator, same twisted plot. And I was pleasantly surprised by the end!
I enjoyed reading this book until the end. I hate the end. You still don't know s**t.