A review by fluoresensitive
The Piano Teacher by Elfriede Jelinek

challenging dark reflective 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

4.25

I have many thoughts! This is almost the same as the review I had for the film, but like... follow me.

  1. The film had a sexuality to it that I said bordered on the homoerotic, but the book is decidedly very slick and slimy, not in an exciting way but in a "oh my god this rollercoaster is about to go off the tracks" sort of way
  2. Repression is so crazy, and Erika never stood the slightest chance, like her mother put her into this very specific mold and she could never leave it. She saw sex and relationships only at a distance, through peepshows and voyeurism and violence and thought it was the only way to be, and the first time she tries to express some of that desire, it gets turned against her; the knife she wielded swapped hands, given to her attacker. Oh I'm gonna vomit.
  3. ALSO. The way Erika couldn't have what she wanted on her terms, like everyone takes from her, and ignores what she's willing to give, like she showed him what she wanted, she showed him the ropes and the gag and what she desired, and he was disgusted until he could steal it/take it through force. UGH! THE LAYERS!

    (Also something something about gender and abuse dynamics and a woman author's intention versus a man director's Whatever)

    Also I'm obsessed with this movie, it means everything to me, it makes me feel so many thoughts, and I'm not just saying that because I see glimmers of myself in our dear twisted Erika Kohut, who just needs a vibrator.
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