jadereads_'s review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
gmalboeuf's review against another edition
3.0
A good story, a good reveal, just okay execution. Translation may be to blame, or just my own as a reader. The time jumps in the story were difficult to follow and left me feeling disengaged with the plot. Otherwise, a solid tension-filled story with good social commentary.
escsteger's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
bri_wilson's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
gloriaannwilson's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. Definitely good for some discussion at a book club meeting. This is a story about a family who protect their son from a crime he commits with his cousin. The narrator of the story is Paul, the father of the delinquent. Paul ,his brother Serge and their wives are sitting down for supper in an upscale restaurant to have dinner and discuss their children. Throughout the courses of the meal Paul remembers the past and relates it to the reader. It is clear that Paul does not like Serge and in the beginning neither did I. As the story proceeded all the characters, including Paul became quite loathsome and maybe Serge is the best of the bunch. A thought provoking read.
louisianasmith's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A dark morality tale that will disturb some readers. Draws heavily on elements of Crime And Punishment in an updated setting and an expanded group of characters. The primary narration also made me instantly think of Camus and the Outsider. This book is definitely not for everyone but does provide the opportunity for much discussion on humanity and morality and related themes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Not a feel good novel.naveenkundanmal's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
shrike_'s review against another edition
1.0
I picked up 'The Dinner', because multiple people assured me I would just love it. I have terrible news - they were all flat out wrong. I don't think I've had to actually incentivize myself to finish a book until I decided to tackle this one.
It all felt very snooty, like I was being invited to sit at a table with luxurious people by being invited into the story. Except they were all vapid and so horrifically boring that I would have much rather have not sat down at all, so to speak.
While I think anyone can read it and come to the same consensus, coming at it from the point of view of a parent myself, I think made it that much worse. All of that, and it was just people singing praises about a book centered around shitty people raising more shitty people. It felt a lot like Koch was trying to rib you with an elbow to make you feel included by reading some overly sensationalized story about people who have no sense of accountability or 'real' problems. And if I wanted more exposure to that, I could just log onto social media.
Hard pass for me.
It all felt very snooty, like I was being invited to sit at a table with luxurious people by being invited into the story. Except they were all vapid and so horrifically boring that I would have much rather have not sat down at all, so to speak.
While I think anyone can read it and come to the same consensus, coming at it from the point of view of a parent myself, I think made it that much worse. All of that, and it was just people singing praises about a book centered around shitty people raising more shitty people. It felt a lot like Koch was trying to rib you with an elbow to make you feel included by reading some overly sensationalized story about people who have no sense of accountability or 'real' problems. And if I wanted more exposure to that, I could just log onto social media.
Hard pass for me.
camilaschapters's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
anna_0794's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
3.75