Review: Next World Novella by Matthias Politycki
Title: Next World Novella
Author: Politycki, Matthias
Translator: Bell, Anthea
Length: 138 pages
Genre: Fiction, General
Publisher / Year: Peirene Press / 2011
Source: I have a Peirene Press subscription for the year.
Rating: 4/5
Why I Read It: I loved the first three Peirene Press titles.
Date Read: 11/03/11
Another fantastic offering from Peirene Press. This book deals with subjects such as marriage, death, and infidelity. The cover reads:
Hinrich takes his existence at face value. His wife, on the other hand, has always been more interested in the after-life. Or so it seemed. When she dies of a stroke, Hinrich goes through her papers only to discover a totally difference perspective on their marriage. Thus commences a dazzling intellectual game of shifting realities.
I can’t say enough how much this book drew me in and engrossed me from the first line. As Schepp (Hinrich) wakes up and notices a smell, he eventually notices that his wife hasn’t simply fallen asleep at the table where she’s always edited his work, she’s actually died, most likely of a stroke. He starts to lose it, realizing how much he misses her and what she meant to him.
Doro, his wife, has always had an obsession with the after-life. In fact, their meeting and their relationship was largely based on this obsession and fear. I loved reading about how they slowly came together and how they swore to stay with each other. Hinrich knows that he hasn’t been as good of a husband in the last few years, but he doesn’t think that Doro has even noticed. As he looks more closely at the papers she was working on, however, he realizes that things may not be quite as they seem.
Doro has found an old story that he had attempted to write years ago and has edited it in a most unkind way. Through the reading of this story we see what the relationship has been like for her and how Hinrich has not even noticed that they are on completely different paths. There is a quote on page 102 where Doro says, through the manuscript:
I have been speechless in our marriage, and here I finally saw my chance to tell you how hard the last five years have been for me, maybe even the last twenty-five years. Forgive me, I lacked the courage to try to discuss it with you. It seems to me that we were never able to find a means of communication that would have brought us together in anything other than a mundane ways.
I really loved this universal accusation leveled at their marriage that I think many would relate to. So often relationships seem to break down because of a lack of communication and I think this book really highlighted in a way how that can happen, and why. Doro really was speechless. Hinrich never sought her opinion or even really considered that she might have any. I loved her final way of making him take note of her, even if it was too late to have any lasting impact.
The ending of the slim volume really hit me unexpectedly in a rather remarkable way, though of course I can’t say anything more about it here without ruining it for you! I highly recommend this book to all as an interesting way to spend a few hours.
For more information about the book check out the Peirene Press website here.
You did really liked this book…I see that. You peaked my interest.
Glad to hear it Geosi
Yay! I’m so glad you liked it too!
Also, which ending did you mean, the last few pages or the twists at the end but not the last pages? That sounds confusing, but I hope you know what I mean?
Ummm BOTH Iris!!! heh
There is something about your review of this book that is just striking to me, and from all you have described, this is a book that I really need to read. I love the fact that Heinrich has to find out all this after the fact, and that sense of futility really peppers itself throughout your review. I am definitely going to read this one soon. Thanks for the great review, Amy!
I think you would really like the book zibilee
I really need to read a Pereine sooner rather than later! I love that quote about silences in marriage too. Lovely review as always, Amy.
Yes you really do Ana
And thank you.
I find the premise for this book to be really intriguing and of course your review has me really wanting to read it. It sounds like you enjoyed this one.
I think you would enjoy it Dragonflyy419 – would love to hear your thoughts.
And now I really want to find out what happened between them. I was looking out for a hint but you gave none. lol. Meaning: search and you shall find. Okay so you have my interested increased on this… thanks
Heh I did try to not give away anything Nana
That is one serious opening to a story!
Yes it is a great book Trisha
I’m intrigued as well. I’ve heard a lot of nice things about the Peirene books but I’m yet to get a hold on one and read. Thanks for the review.
I think you would enjoy them all Kinna, they are all really great books.
Hello there.
This is an intriguing premise. I like the idea of a secret perspective, and yes, there’s a universality there for certain.
Also, thanks for bringing Pereine to my attention.
Thank you Monica, I’m so glad to bring Pereine to your attention! They have some really great books