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Knautschzone: Zwischen Sein Und Schein
Ist Liebe wirklich nur Hirnchemie? Dann ist das Experiment bei Enrique, Lara und Rick grundlich schiefgegangen. Der eine liebt zu sehr, die andere will nichts davon wissen, und der Dritte nutzt das aus. Die Arbeit ist Laras Lebensinhalt - bis sie gefeuert wird, wegrationalisiert. Sie sucht das Vergessen am Boden einer Whiskyflasche. Im Vollrausch bucht sie nicht nur eine Reise nach Chile, sondern zerstort auch noch die Beziehung zu ihrem besten Kumpel. Statt sich ihrem verkorksten Leben zu stellen, fliegt sie nach Sudamerika. Dort lernt sie den Rucksacktouristen Rick kennen, dessen Spielchen sie auf der Fahrt entlang der Panamericana effektiv von ihren Problemen ablenken. Dieselbe Strecke nimmt auch Enrique mit seinem Sattelschlepper, doch die Einsamkeit der Atacamawuste setzt ihm immer mehr zu. In Gedanken unterhalt er sich mit seiner Frau, die ihn immer ofter zur Heimkehr drangt. Mit wachsender Beklemmung tritt er die Ruckfahrt an. Als Lara seinen Weg kreuzt, wirft der Zusammenstoss beide aus der Bahn und zwingt sie, unangenehmen Wahrheiten ins Auge zu blicken
196 pages, Paperback
First published February 20, 2013
1 person is currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Edith Parzefall
72 books5 followersEdith Parzefall studied literature and linguistics in Germany and the United States. She worked as a technical writer, documentation manager and engineer tamer. Now a full-time writer, she strives to combine her two passions: writing and travelling.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 29, 2013
Lara's been laid off from her job. In her thinking, she's been cast adrift without a purpose in life. She decides, under the influence of more than a little alcohol, to go on an adventure. Where to? Chile. In her ordered fashion she gets all the guidebooks and sets up an itinerary for a grand tour. Why not? Nothing is holding her back.
She rents an SUV and takes off across the vast Atacama desert. Along the way, she gives a ride to a nice-looking guy, a geologist he claims. The hitch turns into a sexual relationship which starts out great, but becomes increasingly worrisome as Rick wants to play some games involving tying up and submission.
The story also follows Enrique, a big rig truck driver, making the route north and south through Chile. In an accidental chain of events, Lara and Enrique collide, literally, when his truck hits the her SUV. But it's an accident. No bad intent on Enrique's part. However, Rick explodes into a rage and beats up Enrique.
The paths of Lara and Enrique merge at the crumple zone. Any more exposition would have spoilers.
I really enjoyed this book. I feel Lara's growing unease with Rick's games. Then, when she takes up with Enrique, I wanted to yell at her. LOOK OUT, this guy is nuts. Both guys are nuts. Why is she playing such dangerous games?
The answers come out in the last third of the book as she helps Enrique find himself, and, in doing so, helps find herself as well.
The only complaint I'd have is when the last third of the book continues with Lara, I'm a little disappointed that Rick never shows up again. I kind of wanted a show down between the two men.
But that's not the way Edith Parzefall played it. Her way was equally satisfying, although not as horror-filled as I was nervously anticipating.
Good writing as always expected from Parzefall. The characters are quite clearly drawn. I was drawn to Lara despite her poor judgement (we've all been there). If she had good judgement, she would have never gone on the trip at all. That would have been a dull story.
She rents an SUV and takes off across the vast Atacama desert. Along the way, she gives a ride to a nice-looking guy, a geologist he claims. The hitch turns into a sexual relationship which starts out great, but becomes increasingly worrisome as Rick wants to play some games involving tying up and submission.
The story also follows Enrique, a big rig truck driver, making the route north and south through Chile. In an accidental chain of events, Lara and Enrique collide, literally, when his truck hits the her SUV. But it's an accident. No bad intent on Enrique's part. However, Rick explodes into a rage and beats up Enrique.
The paths of Lara and Enrique merge at the crumple zone. Any more exposition would have spoilers.
I really enjoyed this book. I feel Lara's growing unease with Rick's games. Then, when she takes up with Enrique, I wanted to yell at her. LOOK OUT, this guy is nuts. Both guys are nuts. Why is she playing such dangerous games?
The answers come out in the last third of the book as she helps Enrique find himself, and, in doing so, helps find herself as well.
The only complaint I'd have is when the last third of the book continues with Lara, I'm a little disappointed that Rick never shows up again. I kind of wanted a show down between the two men.
But that's not the way Edith Parzefall played it. Her way was equally satisfying, although not as horror-filled as I was nervously anticipating.
Good writing as always expected from Parzefall. The characters are quite clearly drawn. I was drawn to Lara despite her poor judgement (we've all been there). If she had good judgement, she would have never gone on the trip at all. That would have been a dull story.
April 20, 2013
Crumple Zone is a psychological suspense novel with great messages and complex, intriguing characters.
After losing her job, Lara takes an impetuous trip to Chile. Rick, a questionable hitchhiker joins her in the rented X-Trail. The reader certainly isn't left behind on this suspenseful, scenic ride across the Atacama Desert.
Truck-driver Enrique, losing his grip on reality, is on the same highway. A crash on Ruta 5 clears away a new route toward trust, healing, and an awakening to the difference between reality and illusion.
In Crumple Zone (and her other books), Author Edith Parzefall successfully brings an admirable depth to her writing. The novel beautifully reveals how a higher power leads people in the right directions, at the right times. The characters aren't do-gooders set out to save the world; they are flawed people. Difficult situations force them to think outside of themselves and make choices that ultimately bring peace into their lives. And like in real life, characters who choose to remain in their selfish worlds, get left behind to their own devices. I totally recommend Crumple Zone.
Crumple Zone is a read that will stick with you for a long time. I wiped away tears before clicking off my Kindle.
After losing her job, Lara takes an impetuous trip to Chile. Rick, a questionable hitchhiker joins her in the rented X-Trail. The reader certainly isn't left behind on this suspenseful, scenic ride across the Atacama Desert.
Truck-driver Enrique, losing his grip on reality, is on the same highway. A crash on Ruta 5 clears away a new route toward trust, healing, and an awakening to the difference between reality and illusion.
In Crumple Zone (and her other books), Author Edith Parzefall successfully brings an admirable depth to her writing. The novel beautifully reveals how a higher power leads people in the right directions, at the right times. The characters aren't do-gooders set out to save the world; they are flawed people. Difficult situations force them to think outside of themselves and make choices that ultimately bring peace into their lives. And like in real life, characters who choose to remain in their selfish worlds, get left behind to their own devices. I totally recommend Crumple Zone.
Crumple Zone is a read that will stick with you for a long time. I wiped away tears before clicking off my Kindle.
March 11, 2013
Accidentally Inspired...
In Crumple Zone we meet Lara, a workaholic from Seattle, who is searching for direction in her life. Her impetuous trip to Chile after losing her job, brings her into contact with a backpacker.
This accidental relationship is one type of crumple zone... but it is when Lara meets Enrique the true meaning of the title becomes evident.
Enrique is a long distance driver, driven to face his own demons.
Driving an X Trail, Lara meets Enrique accidentally at a set of cross roads.
Both their lives are changed when the X Trail's Crumple Zone saves Lara's life.
The development of the characters, set in the amazing backdrop of Chile makes compelling reading. Gritty realism, complex characters, empathy, and tension are all woven through a novel that transports the reader from down-town Seattle to the Atacama Desert and back again.
Grab your copy and discover a little about life, love, risk, responsibility and how Lara and Enrique find their own Crumple Zone.
May 6, 2013
The Crumple Zone hooked me from the first chapter. Losing her job the day before, she goes out for a night of drinking with friends. We meet Lara after she wakes up beside what she thinks is a mistake. Convinced by her BFF to follow her dream she travels to Chile to forget her problems. At times throughout I found myself yelling at Lara for her bad choices and cheering on her guts to continue.
Enrique is a lonely trucker who crosses back and forth over the Chilean desert. To occupy his mind he has illusions of his wife and kids as company.
Two unlikely people, worlds apart, until their cross paths.
Lara continues to mess up as she travels. Enrique's hallucinations get worse. Somehow this pair connect and heal each other. I don't want to give this story away. So I'll stop here.
This book was an excellent character study in the mind of two very ordinary, complex people. Edith Parzefall's secondary characters will haunt me for a long time. Well worth the read. In fact, this book deserves a second read. I can't wait to read more works from this author.
Enrique is a lonely trucker who crosses back and forth over the Chilean desert. To occupy his mind he has illusions of his wife and kids as company.
Two unlikely people, worlds apart, until their cross paths.
Lara continues to mess up as she travels. Enrique's hallucinations get worse. Somehow this pair connect and heal each other. I don't want to give this story away. So I'll stop here.
This book was an excellent character study in the mind of two very ordinary, complex people. Edith Parzefall's secondary characters will haunt me for a long time. Well worth the read. In fact, this book deserves a second read. I can't wait to read more works from this author.
April 19, 2013
I'm a big fan of this author and had high expectations for Crumple Zone. Needless to say, I wasn't disappointed. Lara is such a likeable heroine struggling to find out what she wants from life and from a partner. I love how brave and realistically she's portrayed. Idiotically, Lara dumps true love to take a trip overseas, alone, to where she barely speaks the language. This created a great means to show character growth, as well as a roller coaster ride to include a truly disturbing villain, before the perfect ending. The setting's shown with confidence, coming to life vibrantly, and making me feel as if I was there with Lara. After reading Crumple Zone, Chile now tops my bucket list of places I must see. The other protagonist, Enrique, adds to the layers of suspense as the reader understands along with him how his past is affecting him. I highly recommend this as a brilliantly written story you won't soon forget.
March 28, 2013
A lovely, satisfying novel full of suspense and mystery.
Crumple Zone takes the reader to the Atacama Desert in Chile, a fascinating backdrop for Chilean trucker Enrique's battle with reality and American workaholic Lara's struggle to cross an emotional desert. But it takes a predatory lover and a metal-crunching collision to throw them both off their errant tracks.
Edith Parzefall's skillful writing drew me into both of the character's action. The plot creates enough suspense and mystery along the Pan-American Highway to make this novel a great experience. While reading, I felt as if I was living inside Lara's head.
Crumple Zone takes the reader to the Atacama Desert in Chile, a fascinating backdrop for Chilean trucker Enrique's battle with reality and American workaholic Lara's struggle to cross an emotional desert. But it takes a predatory lover and a metal-crunching collision to throw them both off their errant tracks.
Edith Parzefall's skillful writing drew me into both of the character's action. The plot creates enough suspense and mystery along the Pan-American Highway to make this novel a great experience. While reading, I felt as if I was living inside Lara's head.
March 17, 2013
I just finished reading Crumple Zone. Parzefall is an adept writer, and she draws us through the gamut of human emotion without pausing to let us breathe. Her young, modern heroine is very human, yearning to be a strong, independent woman, yet drawn by the very human urge to mate and the longing to love and be loved. The book sometimes made me laugh, occasionally made me angry, often made me smile, and in the end almost brought me to tears. What more can one ask of a book?
Karen Mabry Rice,
Author - Ghost Walk
4rv Publishing, LLP
Karen Mabry Rice,
Author - Ghost Walk
4rv Publishing, LLP
April 12, 2013
I have read and loved Edith Parzefall's other works, so couldn't wait to get my hands on _Crumple Zone_. My impatience was warranted, because I loved every word of it. Lara gave me quite a ride in her rented X-Trail while she struggled to rediscover herself after losing her job. I also got to journey with trucker Enrique, who struggled with a feeling that something was wrong but couldn't quite place it. Their parallel journeys gave me a glimpse of beautiful Chile and insight into the human psyche. I strongly recommend this exciting and intense story.
July 29, 2015
Very good
It was great even up to to ending. I loved it , it was very realistic to me and well written.
It was great even up to to ending. I loved it , it was very realistic to me and well written.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews