By Heidi Simmons
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The Dinner
By Herman Koch
Fiction
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Some books are easy to devour. Herman Koch’s The Dinner (Crown Publishing Group, 320) is an appetizing read that satiates in a fresh and organic way.
Koch entices the reader from the beginning by slowly disseminating information in tasty little bites. Rather than chapters, he cleverly divides the book into courses, making this dinner a hell of a meal. It is not until desert is served and the check comes that the reader gets the entire picture. It is impossible to talk about this book without giving the story away and altering the pleasure of the read.
The entire narrative is told from one person’s point of view. Paul Lohman is telling the story as best he can. He and his wife are meeting his brother and sister-in-law for dinner at an upscale, overpriced, trendy Amsterdam restaurant. His brother, a popular member of Parliament, is running for Prime Minister and is considered the likely candidate to win.
But this dinner is not about enjoying the company, haute cuisine or political campaigns. There is an unfortunate situation that must be dealt with and the moral dilemma is eating away at this foursome. Their sons, three cousins, have done something despicable and it seems they have gotten away with it. For now.
The horrific act was recorded on a cell phone. The footage was uploaded to YouTube — as if bragging — and went viral. It was then picked-up by all the media outlets. Police aired available surveillance film of the event hoping to get information about the culprits from the public. However, the footage is too grainy and distant to identify the hoodlums. But the parents are sure they know; a familiar shoe, a hat, a gesture.
The public is outraged at the terrible behavior by these young unknown teens and demand they be caught and punished. The children’s actions spark public debate about the nation’s youth, the plight of the less fortunate and the country’s future.
As the couples move through their courses at dinner, they share inane chatter and polite conversation. It is a struggle to get to the real reason for their night out. What to do about their children? Paul is not sure who at the table really knows the truth. He remains in denial and wants to help his son. Paul wants to believe his wife is still innocent and doesn’t yet know about the incident. He is suspicious and cynical of everyone at the table. Tension and emotions rise until the issue is finally put on the table.
Paul is not willing to give up his son. His brother, however, is, even at the risk of ruining his career and the scandal that will certainly ensue. This makes matters complicated for the adults and the issue becomes very personal and extremely intense.
The Dinner is involving. The chapters are short and wonderful to savor. As Paul reveals information about attending the dinner and who they are meeting and why, the story slowly builds and connects.
For any parent, this story is scary. Raising kids is a challenge. How we affect our children’s behavior and what we pass on genetically is always something parents consider. Every parent wants to protect his or her kids. For most parents, our hope and goal is to raise responsible and compassionate human beings. But what if we don’t?
Koch weaves a compelling narrative that feels like the reader is experiencing it first hand. The character, Paul, may be telling us what he thinks is going on, but the reader is allowed to draw his or her own conclusions. We are engaged with all the characters and the whole ugly mess. Now the reader must see this through. But the problem is up to the characters to solve. The reader must wait, even with page turning speed.
This is an exciting style of writing. It is brave to convey so little information. Koch trusts his reader to follow, not only what is on the page, but also what is between the lines. He believes the reader will empathize, understand and follow each character’s predicament. Koch masterfully gives the reader insight into the situation and our own place at the table.
After you digest The Dinner, be sure to make reservation to dine out with someone who has read the book. You will want to discuss what you have consumed. It will certainly provide a delicious conversation.
