“Let me make it clear right away that I’m not stingy by nature, that has nothing to do with it; I’m also not going to claim that money is no object, but I’m light years removed from people who say it’s a "waste of money" to eat in a restaurant while "at home you can make things that are so much nicer". No, people like that don’t understand anything, not about food and not about restaurants.”
The narrative unfolds in real time during a single evening at a fashionable restaurant, where two brothers and their wives meet to discuss a disturbing incident involving their teenage sons. The story is told from the perspective of one brother, a former history teacher, whose unreliable narration slowly reveals the complexity of the situation and the moral questions at stake. The formal setting of the restaurant—with its elaborate menu, precise service, and social rituals—contrasts with the increasingly dark subject matter being discussed in hushed tones between courses. Through this constrained structure, the novel examines how far parents will go to protect their children, the nature of complicity, and the facades maintained within families and social classes. more
Herman Koch is a German writer known for his distinctive narrative style and profound social insights. His works often explore moral dilemmas and the complexities of human nature. more
“Moth: I gave you my life. Flame: I allowed you to kiss me.”
“They were feeling generously dramatic due to lack of food.”
“I was just thinking if the moon was a giant cookie, it’d be so filling.”