Reviews

Het koninklijk huis by Herman Koch

al51's review

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

degroot_maartje's review

dark funny lighthearted fast-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

3.0

robbbbin's review

dark funny lighthearted tense medium-paced

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

4.0

atog's review against another edition

2.0

Nee. Dit kon me niet boeien.

lotteverc's review against another edition

fast-paced

• Loveable characters? No

3.5

andrewspink's review

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

The plot of this book is lightly based on the characters and history of the Dutch royal family, with a touch more drama than the real-life soap that they are.  It is amusingly done and even though it steps beyond the bounds of what actually goes on (so far as we know!) Herman Koch makes it all seem quite plausible. There are quite a lot of sub-plots and character, just like in a soap, but that does mean that there are quite a few loose ends left over, especially with regard to Vera, which is a pity. 
Readers who are fierce royalists will probably consider it to be too irreverent, but for republicans like myself it is a nice piece of fun. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Gun violence

Minor: Sexual assault