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A review by marsfeverdreams
De donkere kamer van Damokles by Willem Frederik Hermans
3.0
"I can seek for him when he's not there, but not hang him when he's not there. One would like to say: 'Then he has to be there when I'm looking for him.' Then he also needs to be there when I don't find him and also when he doesn't exist."
This book tells the story of Osewoudt, who meets a man called Dorbeck in the beginning of World War Two in the Netherlands. These two men resemble each other like two drops of water, there are a few differences between the two: Osewoudt can't grow a beard and Dorbeck can, Osewoudt's hair is blonde and Dorbeck's is black and lastly Osewoudt is a nobody and Dorbeck a hero. Everything Osewoudt ever wanted to be is staring right back at him, so he listens and does whatever Dorbeck asks him to, in the hope of finally becoming who he wants to be. But as time goes by things no longer add up and everything is not what it seems.
A beautiful story that was written brilliantly. However there are very racist remarks in this book which were widely seen as acceptable when the book was written, but that's no excuse. That's why I can only give this book 3 stars.
This book tells the story of Osewoudt, who meets a man called Dorbeck in the beginning of World War Two in the Netherlands. These two men resemble each other like two drops of water, there are a few differences between the two: Osewoudt can't grow a beard and Dorbeck can, Osewoudt's hair is blonde and Dorbeck's is black and lastly Osewoudt is a nobody and Dorbeck a hero. Everything Osewoudt ever wanted to be is staring right back at him, so he listens and does whatever Dorbeck asks him to, in the hope of finally becoming who he wants to be. But as time goes by things no longer add up and everything is not what it seems.
A beautiful story that was written brilliantly. However there are very racist remarks in this book which were widely seen as acceptable when the book was written, but that's no excuse. That's why I can only give this book 3 stars.