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A review by kidclamp
The Assault by Harry Mulisch
3.0
The main character's parents are murdered by German forces after a man is shot down on their street. Trying to put this incident into his past and go on with his life, the main characters stumbles across others who were involved in the incident over the course of his life, learning new facts until he finally discovers the force behind the whole event
The author does a good job of portraying the detachment of the main characters, his avoidance of this memory, only showing interest in discovering the truth when he stumbles across those who have information, and they force him to discuss it. The detachment of the character, however, makes it hard to become too invested in his life, or to feel much for him either way. The narrator's voice I did particularly like, mostly neutral, but offering a few slight insights which I enjoyed.
Other reviewers have noted that this book sticks with you and improves the more you think about it, and I can see that, and I definitely would recommend this book. It's good solid post-war fiction, and I almost want to read it again, but I probably won't
The author does a good job of portraying the detachment of the main characters, his avoidance of this memory, only showing interest in discovering the truth when he stumbles across those who have information, and they force him to discuss it. The detachment of the character, however, makes it hard to become too invested in his life, or to feel much for him either way. The narrator's voice I did particularly like, mostly neutral, but offering a few slight insights which I enjoyed.
Other reviewers have noted that this book sticks with you and improves the more you think about it, and I can see that, and I definitely would recommend this book. It's good solid post-war fiction, and I almost want to read it again, but I probably won't