Louse

by David Grand

Die Zufluchtsstadt G.des Horatio "Poppy" Blackwell stellt ein System dar, in dem ein ganzer Stab an Bediensteten, Ärzten, Buchhaltern und Technikern bedingungslos den nostalgischen Träumen und paralysierenden Ängsten vor Infektionen dieses exzentrischen Moguls unterworfen ist.

Die fensterlosen Gänge und sterilen Flure, die Poppys Zimmer umgeben, verbergen sowohl vor der Welt als auch vor den Angestellten seine abenteuerliche Vergangenheit als gefeierter Rekordflieger, illustrer Filmproduzent und genialer Konstrukteur.

Herman Q. Louse ist nicht nur Blackwells medizinischer Helfer, sondern auch unfreiwilliger Vertrauter und machtloser Beschützer. Er erinnert sich weder an die Zeit vor seiner Tätigkeit in der Zufluchtsstadt G., noch hat er eine Vorstellung davon, wie die Welt außerhalb dieses keimfreien Gefängnisses aussieht.§Während Louse seine ritualisierten und zunehmend bizarrer werdenden Pflichten verrichtet, entdeckt er, daß Blackwells minutiös konstruiertes Paradies durch eine Ver schwörung unterwandert wird und zusammenzubrechen droht. Gleichzeitig bietet sich ihm die Möglichkeit auf den Mann zu treffen, der er einst war.

Genres: Fiction

278 pages, Hardcover

First published November 2, 1998

About the author

David Grand is the author of Louse, a New York Times Notable Book and a Los Angeles Times Best Book of the Year, and The Disappearing Body, which Bookforum described as “satirical noir at its mesmerizing best.” Grand received his MFA from New York University, where he held the Fellowship in Fiction and studied with E.L. Doctorow. His writing has appeared in anthologies as well as The New York Times Magazine, Travel and Leisure, BlackBook, and elsewhere. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and twin sons.

Reviews

[Corey Thompson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got this book for 2$ from habitat for humanity i think i got ripped off. David grand I want my time back this book ending was a mind trip. I am pissed.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sci fi type book. It is weird but entertaining. I can almost imagine it. The extremely controlled environment and the desires of Poppy to make sure all is as germ free as possible. Those interred into this enclosed world must adhere to strictly enforced rules and procedures or face the consequences. If you like a good sci fi-- Read Louse.

[Ryandake · Rating 1 out of 5]

couldn't finish it. tried very hard. but i don't like any of the characters, the protag's point of view is too limited to allow me to see the world, and a majority of the time i can't figure out what's going on.

read about half of it, gave up.

[Greg D'Avis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strange and pretty. Very affecting -- it drew me in deeply without me really realizing it.

[Miro Nguyen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Similar to the plot of an action movie: The beginning of island and the like.

[Gospodyina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read it ages ago, and recall liking it. For unknown reasons I have a signed copy which, based on the rest of the box I found it in, I surely bought in Canada.