Once a celebrated writer, M had his greatest
success with a suspense novel based on a real-life disappearance. It
told the story of a history teacher who went missing one winter after
having a brief affair with a beautiful student of his. The teacher
was never found. Upon publication, M's novel was a runaway
bestseller, one that marked his international breakthrough. That was
years ago, and now M's career is fading. But not when it comes to his
bizarre, seemingly timid neighbor who keeps a close eye on him and
his wife. Why? From alternating points of view, where no one is to be
trusted, Herman Koch weaves together an intricate tale of a writer in
decline, a teenage couple in love, a missing teacher, and a single
book that entwines all of their fates. Thanks to M's novel,
supposedly a work of fiction, everyone seems to be linked forever,
until something unexpected spins the "story" off its rails. - Goodreads.com
This was something. I didn't like it at all. Some parts of it were entirely irrelevant to the plot. We don't even really learn the meaning of the title until the last twenty pages. Not really something I would read again. Even now I'm not sure I will keep it.
This is my first Koch book and I am rather disappointed. I had been lead to believe this was some kind of really good mystery/thriller. Feels more like crap telly to me. A bad mystery movie you can guess the ending to way early in the story.
I don't really know what to say about it now. M's actions were worse than Herman's. I will keep mum, to not spoil it, but really I didn't see it coming. I rated this book 2/5 stars and I am unlikely to read it again or suggest it to anybody. I received my copy from Blogging for Books in return for an honest review.
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