Review of In Search of Achilles
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Tarake Abrehet
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Review of In Search of Achilles
[Following is a volunteer review of "In Search of Achilles" by Marco van den Berg Scholten.]
The first novel of Marco van den Berg Scholten, entitled "In Search of Achilles," offered readers a journey that truly unfolded for them. When I first touched the book, I experienced a dual sense of comfort and discomfort, just as Johan van Geesteren does when he visits his hometown after an extended absence.
Johan, the protagonist of this story, experiences writer's block and existential doubt as he faces his present life in the narrative. The midsized, unassertive town serves as his destination after years away from his hometown. The main reason Johan returns home is to obtain Achilles's opinion about a written collection of short stories and poems he created. According to T.M. Brown in his book review, Johan prepares a future that represents a social transformation that current society might not yet accept. This sense of unease runs throughout the entire narrative, beginning from the opening page.
The story serves as a vehicle for Scholten to unveil post-Communist Europe and the capitalist evolution alongside the conflict between traditionalism and modern hedonism. Through the eyes of Johan, we enter his reality during what appears to be an average Thursday night in his hometown. The routine night transforms into a bizarre sequence when Johan sees a piano launched from a balcony, followed by a savage street brawl, and runs into his schoolmates who have shifted to fraternity activities and capitalist objectives.
It was Scholten’s evocative writing style that struck me most about 'In Search of Achilles.' His words paint a vivid picture, and you are painted into Johan's world and even the external world surrounding him. One instance is when Johan carries the shattered piano: it is not just about destruction, but a moment of unexpected beauty in the face of chaos: "As I passed the shattered instrument, I noticed how beautifully the black paint still shone on the wood, how powerfully the varnish reflected the light from the streetlamps."
I appreciated most of all in the book how the search for meaning and authenticity is presented within a world that is so obsessed with superficiality and material success, as is Johan. This stark contrast is shown by his encounters with his former friends, who are now all engrossed in medicine, economics, and banking. Johan’s past seemed alien to him, and during dialogues that were so casually sexist and materialistic, you could hear them ring jarringly real. Johan, having told his old friends in the bar that he's "living in Amsterdam" and "studying English lit," is a masterclass in working through the characters of the person and the scene itself. Their bewilderment at his choices and questions about "What on earth can you do with that, va-Gestre, old boy?" rang true with my own emotional responses to stepping out of line with societal expectations in favor of following one's passions.
Although the deliberate pacing contributes to the book’s atmosphere, it could be a bit too slow at times. T.M. Brown is favorable with "the slow pace found in the early chapters" that also seems to gradually draw interest, yet I was sometimes forced to plow through in order to completely sink my teeth into the story's denser themes. If they are expecting a more fast-paced narrative, they will surely need to have some patience.
While not a flawless piece, "In Search Of Achilles" is nonetheless a compelling and thought-provoking debut. I enjoyed Scholten's writing; the loneliness, cultural displacement, and search for meaning themes that Scholten explores are things I have been experiencing as a Jew, and all of that completely hit home. Sensitivity and depth are given to Johan’s yearning for real connection and artistic fulfillment. As the emotional core of the story, the relationship between Achilles and his treatment at the hands of Achilles is complex and nuanced. Some of the most poignant and memorable scenes in the book are the scenes between them, especially their conversations about art, about life, and about Achilles’ sudden switch to modeling.
Regarding the editing, I was impressed that there didn’t seem to be any errors. There was no typo or grammatical mistake in my entire reading. The flawless editing had really done a lot to make my reading experience an even more immersive one, as I could read Scholten's world with no distractions. The care taken in the production of the book is rare and appreciated, a testament to the professionalism.
The rating for "In Search of Achilles" stands at 5 out of 5 stars, in my opinion. Throughout this expertly composed novel, the author addresses difficult subject matters with elegance and sophistication. The slow pace of the book presents an obstacle for reading, but those who maintain their commitment will discover important value in this novel.
Readers who enjoy literary fiction and stories focused on characters will find immense value in "In Search of Achilles," and I suggest they read it. This novel will capture readers who want to study post-Communist Europe alongside modernity versus tradition and experiences of contemporary artists establishing themselves. Readers interested in the works of Milan Kundera and J.M. Coetzee should consider trying "In Search of Achilles" because this debut novel provides intellectual insight as well as emotional depth.
******
In Search of Achilles
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The first novel of Marco van den Berg Scholten, entitled "In Search of Achilles," offered readers a journey that truly unfolded for them. When I first touched the book, I experienced a dual sense of comfort and discomfort, just as Johan van Geesteren does when he visits his hometown after an extended absence.
Johan, the protagonist of this story, experiences writer's block and existential doubt as he faces his present life in the narrative. The midsized, unassertive town serves as his destination after years away from his hometown. The main reason Johan returns home is to obtain Achilles's opinion about a written collection of short stories and poems he created. According to T.M. Brown in his book review, Johan prepares a future that represents a social transformation that current society might not yet accept. This sense of unease runs throughout the entire narrative, beginning from the opening page.
The story serves as a vehicle for Scholten to unveil post-Communist Europe and the capitalist evolution alongside the conflict between traditionalism and modern hedonism. Through the eyes of Johan, we enter his reality during what appears to be an average Thursday night in his hometown. The routine night transforms into a bizarre sequence when Johan sees a piano launched from a balcony, followed by a savage street brawl, and runs into his schoolmates who have shifted to fraternity activities and capitalist objectives.
It was Scholten’s evocative writing style that struck me most about 'In Search of Achilles.' His words paint a vivid picture, and you are painted into Johan's world and even the external world surrounding him. One instance is when Johan carries the shattered piano: it is not just about destruction, but a moment of unexpected beauty in the face of chaos: "As I passed the shattered instrument, I noticed how beautifully the black paint still shone on the wood, how powerfully the varnish reflected the light from the streetlamps."
I appreciated most of all in the book how the search for meaning and authenticity is presented within a world that is so obsessed with superficiality and material success, as is Johan. This stark contrast is shown by his encounters with his former friends, who are now all engrossed in medicine, economics, and banking. Johan’s past seemed alien to him, and during dialogues that were so casually sexist and materialistic, you could hear them ring jarringly real. Johan, having told his old friends in the bar that he's "living in Amsterdam" and "studying English lit," is a masterclass in working through the characters of the person and the scene itself. Their bewilderment at his choices and questions about "What on earth can you do with that, va-Gestre, old boy?" rang true with my own emotional responses to stepping out of line with societal expectations in favor of following one's passions.
Although the deliberate pacing contributes to the book’s atmosphere, it could be a bit too slow at times. T.M. Brown is favorable with "the slow pace found in the early chapters" that also seems to gradually draw interest, yet I was sometimes forced to plow through in order to completely sink my teeth into the story's denser themes. If they are expecting a more fast-paced narrative, they will surely need to have some patience.
While not a flawless piece, "In Search Of Achilles" is nonetheless a compelling and thought-provoking debut. I enjoyed Scholten's writing; the loneliness, cultural displacement, and search for meaning themes that Scholten explores are things I have been experiencing as a Jew, and all of that completely hit home. Sensitivity and depth are given to Johan’s yearning for real connection and artistic fulfillment. As the emotional core of the story, the relationship between Achilles and his treatment at the hands of Achilles is complex and nuanced. Some of the most poignant and memorable scenes in the book are the scenes between them, especially their conversations about art, about life, and about Achilles’ sudden switch to modeling.
Regarding the editing, I was impressed that there didn’t seem to be any errors. There was no typo or grammatical mistake in my entire reading. The flawless editing had really done a lot to make my reading experience an even more immersive one, as I could read Scholten's world with no distractions. The care taken in the production of the book is rare and appreciated, a testament to the professionalism.
The rating for "In Search of Achilles" stands at 5 out of 5 stars, in my opinion. Throughout this expertly composed novel, the author addresses difficult subject matters with elegance and sophistication. The slow pace of the book presents an obstacle for reading, but those who maintain their commitment will discover important value in this novel.
Readers who enjoy literary fiction and stories focused on characters will find immense value in "In Search of Achilles," and I suggest they read it. This novel will capture readers who want to study post-Communist Europe alongside modernity versus tradition and experiences of contemporary artists establishing themselves. Readers interested in the works of Milan Kundera and J.M. Coetzee should consider trying "In Search of Achilles" because this debut novel provides intellectual insight as well as emotional depth.
******
In Search of Achilles
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Deceptive Calm by Patricia Skipper
