Die Nachhaltige Pflege Von Holzböden (2013) - Plot & Excerpts
No, this isn't a how-to book. This is a novel. We have one character and one setting. There are no spaceships, spies, or murders. There is a death or two but they're not important. Our one character is an unnamed apartment-sitter from London who has been summoned to an unnamed city in eastern Europe. The setting is (you guessed it) the apartment he is sitting. The entire story is told in this man's head. There is only one scene involving another human being for any distance of pages. Oh, and our guy drinks too much wine, but you probably guessed that too. The floors mentioned in the title almost qualify as a character -- as much as an inanimate entity can -- because they are so pivotal to the story. The flat owner has some special wooden floors in his place and is insanely particular about them. I did not say that there is no mystery or intrigue here. Our narrator/flat-sitter is quite the fuck-up and the owner knows it. This is described in the two fellows' history. Reading this, you wonder, if this guy is sooooo anal-retentive about his fucking floors why did he call upon this deeply insecure Englishman to take care of them? You can figure out what happens, but it's how our main man deals with events, emotionally and practically, that makes this an interesting read. I really enjoyed this story -- part comedy, part tragedy, but mostly a journey of grim self-discovery for the protagonist. I've never been in a book club, but I think this would be a really good book club book because of the discussions and likely disagreements that would take place. HA FOUND THIS REALLY INTERESTING AND EASY TO READ MAYBE BECAUSE I HAVE OCD BU NOT THE TIDYING UP TYPE ALTHOUGH LOOKING AT MY FLAT WISH IT WAS THAT TYPE!!!! I MUST ADMIT IT TOOK ME AWHILE TO REALISE I wa not suppposed to be taking to seriously but amused as I am sure all been their when we leave a mark on a floor to long or the horror of damaging something that did not belong to you it was easy to read and a page turner in a fun type of way as wanted to see were in earth this was leading to in a fun way and have told others to read it being my usual bossy self !!!
What do You think about Die Nachhaltige Pflege Von Holzböden (2013)?
Rarely does a book blend wacky slapstick, grim humor, and philosophical inquiry to such fine effect.
—Elie
Really liked this quirky, odd book for some reason. Shades of Macbeth and Poe...
—llltm
Very original premise. The floor is a metaphor.
—kittiwong
