Review of In Search of Achilles

[Mara Valentina]

[Following is a volunteer review of "In Search of Achilles" by Marco van den Berg Scholten.]

---

5 out of 5 stars

---

Share This Review

---

In Search of Achilles is a coming-of-age novel by Marco van den Berg Scholten, almost intuitively following Johan van Geesteren, a young man fighting to find his place in the evolving post-communist Western Europe. A student of English literature, Johan lives with his girl in Amsterdam. He belongs to an intimate circle of friends who share the same aspiration: finding their place in this new world. All of Johan's friends, including Erik Leeghwater and Hink Jan Hulsecker, are studying medicine and economics at college. The group of friends gets together and indulges in nostalgia, reminiscing about old times and sharing what's going on in their lives. In this series of encounters and conversations, Johan questions his identity, purpose, and belonging.

One strong point of the novel is the philosophical and existential themes it handles. The questions Johan grapples with—concerning values, purposes, and the direction of society—are universal and timeless. The novel digs deep into these themes and invites readers to reflect on their lives and the world that surrounds them. The high level of intellectual dialogue among the characters, complemented by frequent debates, makes the narrative complex and, therefore, more than just a coming-of-age story. The rich details in the setting and well-developed characters make this book rewarding for those willing to engage with its slow pace and intellectual depth. Anyone into literary fiction, especially where a strong sense of place and character are major elements of the novel, will certainly want to read this.

The book is exceptionally well edited. The novel offers a poignant portrayal of a generation caught between the past and the future. Johan's internal struggles resonate with the experiences of many young people who are searching for meaning and direction in a rapidly changing world. I rate it 5 out of 5 stars because I have no dislikes.

******
In Search of Achilles
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon