3.0
Dear Mr. M
ByPublisher Description
The tour-de-force, hair-raising new novel from Herman Koch, the New York Times bestselling author of The Dinner and Summer House with Swimming Pool
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.
With ever increasing tension, his signature sardonic wit and world-renowned sharp eye for human failings, Herman Koch once again spares nothing and no one in his gripping new novel, a barbed performance that suspends readers in the mysterious space between fact and fiction.
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.
With ever increasing tension, his signature sardonic wit and world-renowned sharp eye for human failings, Herman Koch once again spares nothing and no one in his gripping new novel, a barbed performance that suspends readers in the mysterious space between fact and fiction.
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Meet readers like you in the Fable For You feed, designed to build bookish communitiesDear Mr. M Reviews
3.0
“I loved this. Without being too dramatic it still felt popcorn-level entertaining. Like a psychological literary popcorn suspense 😁. Also reminded me a little of The Talented Mr. Ripley + My Dark Vanessa.
Energy: Scintillating. Dark. Targeted.
🐺 Howls: There are some smaller plot lines left unresolved, and I really wanted to know where certain characters ended up.
🐕 Tail Wags: The spilling the tea way this was written. Each POV was equally fascinating. Second-guessing everyone’s motives. Random threads slowly connecting. How each narrator’s reliability falls apart as other characters fill in gaps.
Scene: 🇳🇱 Amsterdam, Netherlands
Perspective: Multiple viewpoints including (1) an ageing author reflecting on legacy and relevance, (2) people associated with the author in the past and present, and (3) seemingly unrelated characters entangled in an ominous love triangle and possibly having committed a crime.
Timeline: Ambiguous (2000s and/or 2010s).
Narrative: Eavesdropping, being confided in, reading a book, filling in gaps (mix of first person, second person, and third person omniscient).
Cred: Realistic
Stakes: Medium. Emotional and existential. Reputation and legacy. Romantic obsession. Missing-or-murdered mystery.
Mood Reading Match-Up:
Spinoza Lyceum. Hotch potch. Camera. Book signing. Projector light. Maps.
• Obscure, vivid, ornate writing style
• Bitter, aloof, self-absorbed, spiralling, sympathetic characters
• Story-within-a-story
• Obsessive, love triangle
• Ageing, bitterness, and existential dread
• Unhinged stalking, boundaries crossed
• Literary author drama
• Self deception and ego
• Missing or murdered teacher mystery
• Dark, ornate psychological suspense
Content Heads-Up: Adult/minor relationship (toxic, obsessive - memories, discussion). Ageism (character sentiments). Alcohol (parties, overdrinking). Death (occurrence, topic, musings). Infidelity. Injury (concussion). Intoxicated driving. Loss of parent (as teen - descriptive). Nicotine (cigarettes). Stalking. Suicidal planning. Terminal illness (of parent - descriptive, brief). Vomit.
Rep: Dutch. Cis. Hetero. Tan, white, and pale skin tones.
Format: Library Digital
My musings 💖 powered by puppy snuggles 🐶”
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