Dutch novelist, Herman Koch, who memorably explored the dark recesses of a parent’s love for their child in The Dinner returns with another variation on this theme in Summer House with Swimming Pool.

Dr. Marc Schlosser, the protagonist of our story is married and a father of two young daughters.  Known for his quiet listening demeanor, Marc has gained a solid reputation as an excellent general practitioner among the numerous celebrities who have become his patients.  One of them is the famous actor Ralph Meier who is dying of a particularly virulent form of cancer and who asks Marc to assist him in committing suicide. But underlying this request and Marc’s kind act is what happened earlier that summer at the summer house that Marc and his family shared with the Meir family and their friends the film director, Stanley Forbes and his much younger girl friend.

Initially, Marc and his wife were not sure they wanted to stay with the Meir’s but when their girls and the Meir’s boys hit it off, it seemed like a safe haven after the strange and rather disgusting camp ground they were staying at just up the road from the house. Soon they are caught up in the freewheeling energy of their host, taking trips to the beach, buying fish to grill for poolside picnics and endless glasses of wine as they talk into the night.  But then a horrific, violent incident disturbs their urbane and civilized vacation and Marc, suspicious of everyone, tries to determine who is at fault and needs to  decide whether to exact revenge or to forgive and let time heal the wounds that were inflicted.

Koch is especially gifted at exploring the depths of  a parent’s primal instinct to protect their children and although you might feel squeamish about the choices that Marc makes they are completely understandable to anyone who has children.  Adept at creating the brutally honest self-reflective inner dialogue in which Marc shares his thoughts and rationale for the decisions he makes, Koch both repulses and attracts us, even as we recognize ourselves in Marc’s inner dialogue. Although Marc is the main narrator, Koch carefully rounds out each supporting character, thus balancing Marc’s more dominant voice and creating a cohesive whole. Garrett’s translation is seamless and without language or cultural barriers.

Intriguing and thought provoking, this book kept me up way past my bedtime just so I could get to the end and get some closure!

Brenda’s Rating: ****(4 Stars out of 5)

Recommend this books to: Ken, Sharon and Keith

Book Study worthy? Yes

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