Take a photo of a barcode or cover
2.92 AVERAGE
2.92 AVERAGE
This was a sort of meh book for me. There's nothing wrong with it, but nothing that makes me want to force it into the hands of everyone I meet. The only character I got to "know" was the narrator and while I could relate to some of his childhood emotions, I didn't like him at all as an adult. (which is what he is for the majority of the book)
The occasional look at the psychological effect of becoming an adult (as in separate from your parents) was interesting. There's also no doubt that creating fear and trauma don't have to include actual violence.
The occasional look at the psychological effect of becoming an adult (as in separate from your parents) was interesting. There's also no doubt that creating fear and trauma don't have to include actual violence.
Um thriller que é devagar. Agradável de ler, algumas ideias interessantes, mas nada memorável.
Boring. Way to much explanation about day to day life and no connection to any of the characters
Book reviews on www.snazzybooks.com
This is a slow burning, atmospheric novel which I enjoyed but found a little too slow at times.
The writing itself is great; Dirk Kurbjuweit conjures up a real sense of unease around their neighbour, and the threat level is realistic enough that you can imagine it actually happening. At times the novel is really immersive and at those points I felt myself drawn into the story. Unfortunately, this didn't often last for long as the story switches between modern-day and the past, and I found the stories about Randolph's past to drag on a bit.
I was definitely expecting more of a tense, 'thriller' style story and Fear really isn't. I think this is more an issue around the marketing and synopsis; to me I definitely felt it made the book seem like it fits more into a thriller genre but in actual fact it is much more about narrator Randolph and his childhood/ adult life leading up to the event which takes place at the start of the book. I found some of the descriptions quite interesting but overall I just felt a bit frustrated because I wanted to get back to the here and now. There was a lot of info that I felt just didn't advance the story at all, or even provide any useful information in reading it, and so I found myself losing interest a bit.
The story is still fairly interesting, and some parts really intrigued me, but it just didn't hold my attention properly unfortunately.
Many thanks to the publisher, Orion, for providing a copy of this novel on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review.
This is a slow burning, atmospheric novel which I enjoyed but found a little too slow at times.
The writing itself is great; Dirk Kurbjuweit conjures up a real sense of unease around their neighbour, and the threat level is realistic enough that you can imagine it actually happening. At times the novel is really immersive and at those points I felt myself drawn into the story. Unfortunately, this didn't often last for long as the story switches between modern-day and the past, and I found the stories about Randolph's past to drag on a bit.
I was definitely expecting more of a tense, 'thriller' style story and Fear really isn't. I think this is more an issue around the marketing and synopsis; to me I definitely felt it made the book seem like it fits more into a thriller genre but in actual fact it is much more about narrator Randolph and his childhood/ adult life leading up to the event which takes place at the start of the book. I found some of the descriptions quite interesting but overall I just felt a bit frustrated because I wanted to get back to the here and now. There was a lot of info that I felt just didn't advance the story at all, or even provide any useful information in reading it, and so I found myself losing interest a bit.
The story is still fairly interesting, and some parts really intrigued me, but it just didn't hold my attention properly unfortunately.
Many thanks to the publisher, Orion, for providing a copy of this novel on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review.
My mission this year is to read slower. This book was perfect for that. A slow burn with themes close to my heart as a former student of criminology and criminal case analyst. I enjoyed the differences in the pace, pattern and rhythm of the language that was likely the result of the translation from German to English - That said, I think there was something lost in translation when it came to building tension and sending the ripples of fear up spines as promised by the cover and premise.
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
mysterious
slow-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
This review was originally posted on StrupagFEAR is the story of Randolph Tiefenhaler, a married father of two who works as an architect in Berlin. He and his family live in an upper ground floor flat in the city. It's upon purchasing this flat that the family find themselves under the scrutiny of their downstairs neighbour, Dieter Tiberius, a man who lives alone and rarely leaves his home. Dieter Tiberius' notes to the family start off fairly innocuous, but it isn't long before he is accusing Randolph and his wife of abusing their children. When Randolph seeks help from the police on this slanderous matter he is turned away - they can do nothing to help him. With everything in his life hanging on the words of his downstairs neighbour, Randolph is desperate to find a solution to his Dieter Tiberius problem.
The story is told by Randolph as he looks back on the events of his aforesaid problem. But as readers we spend a lot of time looking at Randolph's own personal life, his upbringing and marriage in order to understand the man whose family are being stalked.
Originally written in German, the FEAR is the first of Dirk Kurbjuweit's work to be translated into English. It's a very interesting concept for a novel, not least because the author is drawing upon his own personal experiences. I think knowing this adds additional weight to the story and, as readers, we begin to wonder what we would do in Randolph's position?
This was somewhat of a strange book for me in that I found it easy to read and thought-provoking but I really didn't like Randolph! I grew weary of his selfishness, talk of his father's guns and his constant reference to class. I don't know if this is perhaps something in the translation that just didn't sit with me, but I really disliked the man. Yet I was intrigued, I wanted to know how this Dieter Tiberius had forced a family to such lengths. I would actually have loved to have read some chapters from Tiberius' perspective!
While I can't say I was blown away by this book, I certainly found the concept interesting. I suspect that in not caring about the protagonist I probably missed out on much this book has to offer.
The story is told by Randolph as he looks back on the events of his aforesaid problem. But as readers we spend a lot of time looking at Randolph's own personal life, his upbringing and marriage in order to understand the man whose family are being stalked.
Originally written in German, the FEAR is the first of Dirk Kurbjuweit's work to be translated into English. It's a very interesting concept for a novel, not least because the author is drawing upon his own personal experiences. I think knowing this adds additional weight to the story and, as readers, we begin to wonder what we would do in Randolph's position?
This was somewhat of a strange book for me in that I found it easy to read and thought-provoking but I really didn't like Randolph! I grew weary of his selfishness, talk of his father's guns and his constant reference to class. I don't know if this is perhaps something in the translation that just didn't sit with me, but I really disliked the man. Yet I was intrigued, I wanted to know how this Dieter Tiberius had forced a family to such lengths. I would actually have loved to have read some chapters from Tiberius' perspective!
While I can't say I was blown away by this book, I certainly found the concept interesting. I suspect that in not caring about the protagonist I probably missed out on much this book has to offer.
Thank you Edelweiss for my review copy of this book. Quick compulsive read definitely can agree with other comparisons to The Dinner. While this was a thoroughly enjoyable read there was nothing new or unique to make this stand out to me admist all the other thrillers.
I got to the end of it but I think the premise is ridiculous.
This book follows a family from Berlin who are terrorised' by a tenant in the apartment below theirs.
There's no actual thrill because it's not like the tenant does anything hugely wrong. He never tries to get into the house, doesn't show any sign of violence, is just a bit creepy and invasive.
So the main character gets his own abusive, gun obsessed father, to shoot the man point blank one night.
Honestly, confusing from start to finish.
This book follows a family from Berlin who are terrorised' by a tenant in the apartment below theirs.
There's no actual thrill because it's not like the tenant does anything hugely wrong. He never tries to get into the house, doesn't show any sign of violence, is just a bit creepy and invasive.
So the main character gets his own abusive, gun obsessed father, to shoot the man point blank one night.
Honestly, confusing from start to finish.