Sommerhaus Mit Swimmingpool (2012) - Plot & Excerpts
Dr. Marc Schlosser really doesn't like his patients very much. He has little patience for their tribulations, and is easily repulsed by their bodily functions. Marc, his wife and two teenaged daughters are invited to vacation at one of his patient's summer homes. The patient is the actor Ralph Meier, successful, boisterous and full of himself. Marc is attracted to Ralph's wife, Judith, so he maneuvers his family close to the Meiers. The holiday starts pleasant enough, lounging, beach time and ample food and drink. Marc's two daughters form fast friendships with Ralph's two teenage sons. But when something tragic happens to one of Marc's daughter, he finds himself loathing Ralph Meier.Marc is out to get revenge. There is one scene with an eyeball that was so repulsive. I had to take multiple pauses to get through that passage.Liked this one much better than "The Dinner". Complex characters, unpredictable. Highly recommend. I can't say I hated the book, as the basic story line premise is interesting, and it held my interest enough to finish the book. With that said, I absolutely hated the main character, Marc, and his whole voice throughout the book. If you want to have sex with a loved one any time soon, don't read this book. Marc, a family physician, has such an aversion to the human body, and the writer writes about this aversion in such constant detail in every chapter of the book that you can't help but pick up that disgust yourself. His voice is also very misogynistic. There is an underlying lack of respect for women's intelligence (yes, they're beautiful and sexy, but they constantly complain, can't seem to make coherent arguments in intelligent discourse, etc.) as well that is disturbing. Note that the writer is European, so if you're the typical rather prudish American, all of the constant references to a naked character (Ralph) and his private parts hanging here, there and everywhere, often is reference to Marc's little girls, it's rather disturbing. I'd skip this one if you have other books on your to-read list.
What do You think about Sommerhaus Mit Swimmingpool (2012)?
Read as an early release. Enjoyed it. Very dark and twisty.
—sarah1606
Terrible people doing awful things. Herman Koch is a peach.
—emmanuel
