Herman Koch is an extraordinary writer. His books, however, often leave you disconcerted and uneasy. Koch does this not by using shock tactics or gruesome descriptions, but by exploring the human heart, particularly the parts that seem civilized but have become twisted by ambition, pretension and privilege. 

M is a writer. At one time he published a bestseller but has struggled since then to match that first success. Based on the real life disappearance of a teacher who had a brief affair with a student, M’s novel became a runaway bestseller in the Netherlands and internationally as well. But that was years ago and M is declining both as a writer and mentally. His latest book is barely being noticed, he is having trouble with his publisher, he is becoming forgetful and he finds himself saying controversial things or revealing private details in interviews which embarrassment and unwanted publicity. Even more concerning, his neighbor seems to be more than normally interested in the way M wrote that first bestseller.

With that first novel at the heart of this book, Koch weaves a story told by differing voices who may or may not be reliable, but whose fates are nonetheless linked together by what happened that cold day and by the novel M wrote about it. Exploring what is fact and fiction and the creative choices a writer might make to create a compelling story, Koch explores the darks side of ambition, hubris and the choices we all might make if we thought no one was looking.

Brenda’s Rating: *****(5 Out of 5 Stars)

Recommend this book to: Sharon. Marian, Keith and Ken.

Book Study Worthy? Yes

Read in ebook format.