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A review by melissagallant_
Dear Mr. M by Herman Koch
2.0
I have some pretty conflicting reactions to this book that I will attempt to set out here.
One of the things I really like about Koch's work is his ability to write an interesting story, plot-wise, while also discussing really intimate and complex issues in a way that doesn't seem forced or construed. I love his ability to create deeply unlikeable characters that are still relatable - highly exaggerated characters that throw our own pettiness and social dynamics into uncomfortable relief.
This book didn't do that for me; it felt too heavy-handed. The "mystery" of the story was weak, confusing, and entirely without suspense. The "twist" was poorly handled and didn't deliver any shock factor as by that point the storyline had been told over and over and only one conclusion could have been drawn. There was a big reveal that was thrust on you too quickly, on almost the last page of the book, that left me confused as to why the story was ended this way and what it was supposed to mean. It felt inconsistent.
I found his musings on the nature of fame, writing, and social pretense to be fascinating, but the problem was that they dragged on. There were lengthy monologues that raised interesting points, but could have been expanded on more creatively or organically. I found myself getting bored during these sections as it felt a little like Koch was trying to write an essay and a thriller at the same time. If these sections had been edited a little better, they could have been really successful as the ideas and metaphors used provoked good thought.
All in all, this premise had potential, but the novel was not put together in a satisfying way. I felt that the different storylines floundered, at times too confusing and opaque, at other times too drawn out trying to hammer home a point.
That being said, I did enjoy reading it all the way up until the end, where things just didn't seem to tie up the way they should.
One of the things I really like about Koch's work is his ability to write an interesting story, plot-wise, while also discussing really intimate and complex issues in a way that doesn't seem forced or construed. I love his ability to create deeply unlikeable characters that are still relatable - highly exaggerated characters that throw our own pettiness and social dynamics into uncomfortable relief.
This book didn't do that for me; it felt too heavy-handed. The "mystery" of the story was weak, confusing, and entirely without suspense. The "twist" was poorly handled and didn't deliver any shock factor as by that point the storyline had been told over and over and only one conclusion could have been drawn. There was a big reveal that was thrust on you too quickly, on almost the last page of the book, that left me confused as to why the story was ended this way and what it was supposed to mean. It felt inconsistent.
I found his musings on the nature of fame, writing, and social pretense to be fascinating, but the problem was that they dragged on. There were lengthy monologues that raised interesting points, but could have been expanded on more creatively or organically. I found myself getting bored during these sections as it felt a little like Koch was trying to write an essay and a thriller at the same time. If these sections had been edited a little better, they could have been really successful as the ideas and metaphors used provoked good thought.
All in all, this premise had potential, but the novel was not put together in a satisfying way. I felt that the different storylines floundered, at times too confusing and opaque, at other times too drawn out trying to hammer home a point.
That being said, I did enjoy reading it all the way up until the end, where things just didn't seem to tie up the way they should.