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A review by zatannacomic
Eurotrash by Christian Kracht
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
2.5
Eurotrash had all the ingredients for the perfect book for me. It had reflections on the past, a difficult relationship between a family, while also thinking of the concept of their actions. There was also a fun concept - as this mother and son go a road trip and are just giving away the mothers money. This book also has a cool title, which I can always appreciate.
What surprised me the most about this book, was its writing style. It is bold and critical, but also very confusing. It feels like a long rant and I didn’t enjoy that. It felt like how I imagine American Pyscho would be. The author does mention Bret Easton Ellis… so I feel like that comparison is not out of place. A lot of names and connections to the war were mentioned, but there was an assumption that you just knew these people. If you don’t (which was in my case) you end up feeling lost.
The main character is bitter towards his mother and the nazi past of his family from fathers side. He writes about his family history and how their bad choices set up his future, guilt and bitterness towards them. Through the story he tries to sympathize and understand his mother, which in certain moments he can, but they also keep clashing. The ending was very sweet though.
The roadtrip (to give it a name) did change the whole atmosphere. It made this book a lighter to read and a bit more fun. But in the end this book didn’t do it for me. I get the message of this book. I get the point the author is trying to make. I just didn’t like the execution of it.
What surprised me the most about this book, was its writing style. It is bold and critical, but also very confusing. It feels like a long rant and I didn’t enjoy that. It felt like how I imagine American Pyscho would be. The author does mention Bret Easton Ellis… so I feel like that comparison is not out of place. A lot of names and connections to the war were mentioned, but there was an assumption that you just knew these people. If you don’t (which was in my case) you end up feeling lost.
The main character is bitter towards his mother and the nazi past of his family from fathers side. He writes about his family history and how their bad choices set up his future, guilt and bitterness towards them. Through the story he tries to sympathize and understand his mother, which in certain moments he can, but they also keep clashing. The ending was very sweet though.
The roadtrip (to give it a name) did change the whole atmosphere. It made this book a lighter to read and a bit more fun. But in the end this book didn’t do it for me. I get the message of this book. I get the point the author is trying to make. I just didn’t like the execution of it.