In an upscale Amsterdam restaurant, two couples meet for a multi-course meal to discuss a horrific crime committed by their teenage sons. Paul Lohman, a cynical former history teacher, narrates the evening as it moves from mundane small talk to the cold reality of a violent act caught on security footage. His brother Serge, a politician running for Prime Minister, faces a choice between protecting his career or his family. As the dinner progresses through appetizers and mains, details emerge about the boys' involvement in the death of a homeless woman at an ATM.
Readers who enjoy dark psychological portraits and the moral ambiguity of family loyalty find this story useful for examining how far parents go to shield their children from justice. It appeals to those interested in the thin veneer of middle-class civility and the hereditary nature of violence. A reader walks away with a blunt perspective on the conflict between societal ethics and biological instinct, specifically regarding the lengths one will go to preserve a comfortable life when faced with a catastrophic scandal.
Inward-looking and thought-provoking; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Story Seeker. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2009
- Language
- EN
