nisanatreads 's review for:

Holzfällen by Thomas Bernhard

4.0

challenging reflective tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Woodcutters chronicles the events of an artistic dinner which is held in honor of an actor from the Burgtheater but also for a friend who has killed herself a few days prior. Our narrator barely moves or interacts with anyone and as the evening progresses so does the story and we get to know their backstories and respective relationships through the lense of his eyes. His opinions of others and himself is mostly nihilistic and shaped by his elitist views of artistry. Most compelling is how he constantly passes between being disgusted with either himself or everyone else, never quite noticing the transition. His voice got a distinctively dark but also humourous edge to it. 

I highly recommend reading this book in German because it's a great example on how to use the German language with precise knowledge of its effect without being to on the nose with it. Also it's just really fun to see how he plays with words and refers to notable figures on literature through his use of language (obviously I can't say anything about the quality of translation since I read it in German and I don't know how this aspect may transfer in the translation).