A review by littlemiao
The Dinner by Herman Koch

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

1.75

This book did not work for me at all. The narrator was contemptible, full of petty grievances, and also completely boring. I couldn’t stand his kvetching and his smugness. Maybe the audiobook narrator was too effective. I got through to the end and was completely unmoved. I don’t often feel like a book was a waste of time but this one qualifies. [slight spoiler] I admit I am curious what his medical situation was. A heritable condition of psychopathy detectable by amniocentesis, and also easily treatable by medication, with a German-sounding name? Honestly I think the author made it up. (Reviewed 2023)