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lewislover's review
dark
mysterious
tense
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
2.75
I did not enjoy this book. I kept waiting for something to happen, and even when something did, it was strange.
chelseatm's review against another edition
5.0
Since I began reading the book, I realized I had something special. I recommended it to everyone I knew even before I was halfway done. Sometimes, you just know.
The Dinner is a well-written, well-developed, sharp, and fascinating read. It's a quick-paced and gripping story of one dinner between two couples. It does jump in time line to other events but never leaves the reader confused or lost.
That's not to say that Herman Koch spoon-feeds the plot or the story's intricacies to the reader. He respects his audience's intelligence. He at times, flirts with the actual subject but gives enough tasty morsels that you should follow along well enough if you're paying attention.
I am so excited by this author and can not recommend this book enough. Please go read it now!
The Dinner is a well-written, well-developed, sharp, and fascinating read. It's a quick-paced and gripping story of one dinner between two couples. It does jump in time line to other events but never leaves the reader confused or lost.
That's not to say that Herman Koch spoon-feeds the plot or the story's intricacies to the reader. He respects his audience's intelligence. He at times, flirts with the actual subject but gives enough tasty morsels that you should follow along well enough if you're paying attention.
I am so excited by this author and can not recommend this book enough. Please go read it now!
bsalavm's review against another edition
too stretched out and predictable. I thought it would have thought-provoking conversation but they were just observations that, in my opinion, led nowhere
laurevannieuwenhove's review against another edition
5.0
This book was twisted in so many ways! That family...
katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
Very good indeed.
Didn't know much about this before listening to the audiobook.
Wonderful satire with a lot to say about parenting and violence.
Liked the build up to the revelations best, but the boys' actions were revealed brilliantly, slowly and shockingly. At the start I liked the narrator and it was only slowly I realised what he was actually like and found some of his opinions abhorrent and morally wrong.
The climax was great, just a 'mouth open in shock' few chapters.
Didn't know much about this before listening to the audiobook.
Wonderful satire with a lot to say about parenting and violence.
Liked the build up to the revelations best, but the boys' actions were revealed brilliantly, slowly and shockingly. At the start I liked the narrator and it was only slowly I realised what he was actually like and found some of his opinions abhorrent and morally wrong.
The climax was great, just a 'mouth open in shock' few chapters.
ummm_megan's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
gwennyrule's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
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
2.5
heytiger's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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
3.75
as many said none of the characters had redeeming qualities, but i thought it was interesting how a 'decent' character could change so quickly within the next pages. portions of scenes are implied, you get all the context, but you're the one who has to declare what has (obviously) happened. when paul talked about the footage that didn't show everything but you knew something terrible had happened-- i felt the same way about the ending.
evaskov's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
2.75