Reviews

The Lime Works by Thomas Bernhard

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led's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

papasquish's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

The book has an interesting premise, but it’s so fucking repetitive. I got so bored reading this book.

I'm continuing my 3-book sampling of Thomas Bernhard. Gargoyles got me curious, and The Lime Works was definitely interesting but at the same time bewildering. The whole novel is a recounting of the events leading up to Konrad's horrible murder of his invalid wife in a defunct lime production plant. All of it is related through the various vantage points of a life-insurance agent assigned to the case as well of other witnesses. The course of events undergoes further "refraction" because the narrators, if they can be called such and more importantly be trusted as such, are retelling the story as they have received it primarily from the words of Konrad. It's clear rather early that Konrad has several loose screws upstairs and this makes for a narrative which dribbles on in many parts like the incoherent rambling of a madman. He suffers from a demented form of Adlerian stage fright when it comes to his lifelong project, a treatise on the sense of hearing. He and his wife alternately play the part of each other's tormentor. It is a sick tale taking place in a bleak setting seen through a distorted lens. Bernhard is very good at piquing curiosity, but his style takes a lot of getting used to...for example, NO paragraph breaks! No, not one!

jacobbou's review against another edition

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dark slow-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

4.25

bryanmyoung's review

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5.0

Absolutely brilliant. Reminder to the unmarried: if you're considering getting married, read this book.

hollyevaallen's review

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3.0

This book. Where to begin. First I’ll say that when I think of literature as an art form, I find this book extremely effective. If you look at any form of art (including literature) as aiming to make you feel or experience something then this really does it. The story revolves around an obsessive man named Konrad who lives in an old mine and wants to write a volume on hearing/the human ear but he can never seem to start writing. The book opens with locals in the neighborhood tavern chatting about how Konrad murdered his disabled wife. It’s a striking opening and the entire novel the reader will follow the jumbled thoughts of multiple people, interlaced fluidly, to find a motive to the murder. The aimless and bizarre style of writing makes the reader feel as though they are going insane (as Konrad is) so as art I find this novel wonderful. However, as just a “novel” it is difficult to push through. The writing style is so odd it becomes cumbersome and the constant repetition of obsessive sentences makes the reader dizzy. However, if you love a challenge or are interested in stream of consciousness pieces, I would still recommend it.