A review by amimt
The Piano Teacher by Elfriede Jelinek

challenging dark tense slow-paced

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

3.0

I thought I knew the book, I thought I knew Erika and I knew what she wanted. But it took me awhile to actually know the piano teacher. From her parasitic relationship with her horrifying mother to her confused, awkward and inexperienced romantic entanglement with Klemmer, Erika was doomed to begin with and will forever be doomed in every aspect of her life. 

Also, the only way I got through this book was to read it like a shivering, feverish schizoid on the verge of hysteria. It’s a good book, I just didn’t enjoy reading it very much.