R.I.P. Challenge book #2

[_lethe_]

When I received it as a free book at the time, the only thing I knew about De grot (The Cave) by Tim Krabbé was that the plot involved drug smuggling. Not a subject that holds great appeal to me, and so the book sat unread on my shelf for almost 13 years, until I picked it up for this year's challenge.

Comments

[heartofdavid]

Hmm. So it was more the lack of interest in the plot (or 'not-my-cup-of-teaness') than the actual writing which you didn't enjoy?

[_lethe_]

It's difficult to explain. I'm glad I read it, I just don't think I'll ever want to read it again.

The writing was good, and I liked the way the story unfolded, the book was cleverly constructed. It just made me very sad.

Fate and coincidence are important themes, as they are in The Vanishing as well, another book of his I don't want to reread either, even though it is a great thriller.

I'd say if your library has it, borrow it. It is a quick read and you may feel differently about the sadness. And the translator has good credentials, I hear.

Something I was suddenly reminded of

[_lethe_]

I don't know if you have ever read "A Good Man Is Hard to Find" by Flannery O'Connor. That story isn't anything like The Cave, but coincidence plays an important part in it as well. I was completely traumatized by it when I read it in my early twenties. It is a brilliant story, but I never want to read anything by O'Connor ever again.

Re: Something I was suddenly reminded of

[heartofdavid]

I've never read that story, will have to look it up. I don't think I've ready anything my O'Connor...hmm.