A short book review in one (long) paragraph

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A quarter-way through Herman Koch’s book, THE DINNER, you will suspect you don’t like the main character Paul very much. Halfway through you will be certain he’s a dick. And just as you are struggling with this conclusion, you will discover that Ralph Lauren Outlet UK his wife isn’t any better; a scheming, conniving woman who deserves the husband she got. Evil begets evil. Together they hide behind parental love to justify a heinous crime their teenage kid committed, and then try to save him from the law. I won’t tell you what that boy did because I don’t want to spoil it for you, but it involves a homeless woman and an ATM booth on a cold night. The crime ends up on the local news, reported by Ralph Lauren Outlet Online their version of Larry Madowo, who shakes his head as he reads sombrely. A nation is stunned. And because the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree, you will not be surprised when the son turns out to be a vile, spoilt, pampered, violent rodent. But he didn’t do it alone; he did it with his cousin after Ralph Lauren Outlet a night on the raz. The book starts at dinner in a snazzy restaurant and ends at dinner in the same spoon. Not much is eaten but a lot is said. Sarcasm hangs over their plates like cumulus clouds. If you are looking for justice you won’t find it here. If you are looking for resolution, it doesn’t live here any more. Faith? Gone. Compassion? None. This is typical of a book you would expect from an author with a name like Koch. But it’s written well and Ralph Lauren uk Outlet it has a sound storyline. Also, it has moments that seduce you with humour… before your sense of morality is thrown at your feet, bludgeoned, bloodied and gasping for Ralph Lauren uk Outlet its last breath. Read it in one sitting, on a weekend, maybe at the balcony as you eat groundnuts and wring the last rays of sun from the grey overcast August skies. If you finish the book and you don’t curse Paul and his wife I hope you will realise that you are like them.

You’re also about to ‘find’ my foot in your ass
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but was probably closer to the knee on the original owner
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23 Comments
  1. When I saw that the review is only one paragraph, I cringed. But then I read it and pinched myself for expecting anything less than your usual brilliance.
    Kwanza that ending “Read it in one sitting, on a weekend, maybe at the balcony as you eat groundnuts and wring the last rays of sun from the grey overcast August skies. If you finish the book and you don’t curse Paul and his wife I hope you will realise that you are like them.”
    Powerful. Just powerful

  2. Haha Sarcasm hangs over their plates like cumulus clouds. ..

    I like that part.

    Another fabulous read sir!!

  3. I don’t suppose the author’s last name to be whine, hence Koch & whine. Only then is when i’ll buy it

  4. ”If you are looking for justice you won’t find it here” for a moment you sounded like a Lannister.Great review!

  5. … before your sense of morality is thrown at your feet, bludgeoned, bloodied and gasping for its last breath.

    I pictured the sense of morality gasping…….you paint with words.

  6. Even if I don’t get to read the book, I’ll have certainly enjoyed reading it’s review. 🙂

  7. Wonderful review as always… As an avid reader, when you review one I haven’t read and I finally get to it, cant help but hear your voice at the back of my mind forming my opinions,, feeling uneasy like the student who finishes their exam and 10 minutes to time realizes everyone is using a calculator while the only number they wrote was their Reg. No .. Case of watching the movie then trying to read the book..(Really trying to capture the feeling) Its not the same:-) Now I hate Paul without even meeting him first*

  8. Good read Biko as usual. I wonder how you remember ‘cumulus clouds’…good old primary days 🙂

  9. you really should start your book reviews with ”spoiler alert” Biko..”you will not be surprised when the son turns out to be a vile, spoilt, pampered, violent rodent. But he didn’t do it alone; he did it with his cousin after a night on the raz”. .thanks to you..YES WE WILL NOT BE SURPRISED.SIGH!!!

  10. I read The Dinner over a year ago & that was a spot on review. Seriously LOVE that you are reviewing more books now Biko.