Last night the crime book club met up once again on Google+ Hangouts onair and discussed The Dinner by Herman Koch.
You can watch the meeting below. Feel free to join the fun one month and if you find it difficult to keep up via the blog, sign up to the book club newsletter Here.
The majority of the members present enjoyed the book even though not a single character in the book was likeable, which in itself was a strange feeling, but worked. It was felt that it was really well written, no matter what issues were raised about the novel, the author’s writing was incredibly tight and this made the novel easy to read even though the subject matter was difficult in places.
For a full run down of our thoughts on The Dinner, you can watch the above video. Don’t forget you can subscribe to the YouTube playlist.
We discussed that as Theakston’s Crime Writing Festival is held in July, we will vote on two books from the short list and one from the long list of this years best crime novel award for our July read. When the shortlist is announced at the beginning of July I will ask for nominations for the vote.
The book we are reading in June is How to Fall by Jane Casey.
Freya is found drowned – but was it suicide or murder? Her cousin, Jess Tennant, is determined to uncover the truth. But asking questions may prove deadly – anyone could be a suspect and everyone is hiding something…
Can Jess unravel a mystery involving secret love, seething jealousy and a cliff-top in the pitch black of night?
Margot Kinberg says
Oh, I wish I could have been there, Rebecca. Like you folks, I didn’t like the characters or bring myself to cheer for any of them. Yet as you say, it worked. The story kept me interested. See you folks in June!
FictionFan says
I really meant to have this book read in time to watch this – I’ll have to come back to it later, once I catch up. I really enjoyed How to Fall – I’ll be intrigued to hear what you all think of it…
cleopatralovesbooks says
I read The Dinner last October and still think about it now. I’ve just read the next translated book Swimming House with Swimming Pool which also made me think deeply… a measure of good writing although some what uncomfortable to read.