My page-a-day calendar recommended this, it’s an international bestseller, and it was made into a movie this year. Clearly people like it. Herman Koch certainly wrote an interesting story, that much is true.
Two families are meeting for dinner. Paul (our narrator), his brother Serge, and their wives Claire and Babette, respectively. They are meeting to talk about their sons, although there’s more to it than that.
Paul’s son Michel and his cousin Rick have been involved in something unsavory. The parents must figure out what to do about it. How can they help their children, without sacrificing their futures?
There is an interesting dynamic between the adults. Paul is a former teacher, and he can communicate with Claire with just a look. They understand each other, and help each other make a point when necessary. Paul’s brother, Serge, is a politician– Paul hates the way he puts on a facade, pretending to be the everyman, when it’s just a show. Babette is usually the calm one compared to her spouse, although on this occasion, she’s explosive and emotional. It’s an evening destined for failure, from Paul’s view.
When I found out what the boys had done, I admit I had a hard time reading the book. Unsavory is almost too kind of a word, in my opinion, but that’s what drew me in initially– what had these boys gotten themselves into, and what did their parents plan to do about it?
I try not to read too many reviews prior to reading a book, but I did peek at some for this story. A lot of people said that the characters are hard to relate to, and I can see that. They are two upper-class families, trying to solve a problem that to the average Joe, should have an obvious answer. It’s frustrating as the reader to know what they should do, but are unwilling to.
There is a movie that was released in May of this year. You can watch the trailer here.
Has anyone seen it, or read the book? How did you feel about it?
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