Edifice Complex

by Michaël Wertenberg

Karim has his tenuous hold on reality further jeopardized when he develops an obsessive, erotic relationship with a residential building set for demolition.

Set in Paris, France where Algerian immigrant, Karim, suffers from a hypersensitivity to noise. All he wants is to find a bit of peace and quiet somewhere, anywhere, in the bustling capital city: a roof and four walls, within which he can finally get a reprieve from the city sounds that assault him.

Karim covets his fraternal twin’s, Sami’s, flat. He fantasises about it – the thick curved walls; the stoic spacious building it’s a part of. When Sami leaves for London, Karim can finally be alone with his beloved building. Unfortunately, the other tenants risk spoiling the honeymoon. So Karim, together with the voices in his head and the building itself, work together to kill off the neighbours and set up a sanctuary of silence.

Karim and the building get along swimmingly. Their relationship blossoms quickly. Karim is an attentive lover, and so is the building. The couple is under threat, however, as greedy developers have plans to tear down the building and erect a more modern, higher occupancy building in its place.

342 pages, Paperback

First published May 9, 2024

About the author

Former touring musician, former stand-up comedian, current aspiring cat hoarder, Michaël Wertenberg is a writer of dark literary and genre fiction focused on the mind's fascinating yet frightening ability to rationalize the irrational.

Reviews

[Cliff's Dark Gems · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK this is a very weird, messed up book. Thing is, it is also entertaining... but only if you can handle dark, depraved shit about a man's obsessive "relationship" with a building and his descent into madness. I have not read anything quite like this in my life.
Disclaimer: I have had this author on my youtube channel, but this is an honest review.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The dismemberment did not disappoint.

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd call this is an epic love story and a fun read! The only thing I can think of that is close is The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson in that there's a sentient building involved but really, I've never read a plot like this. There are laugh out loud moments. My favorite is when the ardent suitor presents a can of WD-40 and the promise of a massage. Who could resist that? I recommend this to anyone in need of a refreshing and unique change of pace, especially if all of the books you're reading are starting to seem the same.

[RobLovesBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

3-3.5 stars. I have read some strange books in the past, but this tale is top tier peculiar. Wasn't quite sure if the *edifice* was doing these deeds or not. The cast of characters was interesting (The Nag, Princess, Mathematician, Architect, Sergeant, Cynic and Professor).
Karim mentioning how many minutes others were late for a meeting, and the glass enclosure where he worked reminded my of the one at Madison Square Garden (mostly for information about the train schedules for Penn Station).
Karim's decent into madness is steady and rising (aka Broken Chord) which I thought works well for the tone of the story.

[Dave Cripps · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book left me feeling on edge every time I dipped into it. If I met the protagonist in real life, he would scare the pants off me. The story was highly inventive and original, and while not the sort of book I would normally choose, I enjoyed it. The prose was expertly crafted, and all the characters were vivid and believable. I was pulled into this story till the end (not my end!).

As I read it, I kept being reminded of the TV series Mr Robot. That's not to say it's the same, but the created world is similarly creepy and unpredictable.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disturbing would be the best way to describe the overall impression. Indignant, also, in a pleasing way. I appreciated the parallel of crowded inward and outward existence, one welcome one not. The writing is clever, the reading experience a nice flow. There is a lack of resolution and consequence toward the end that niggles at my pedantic nature, though I suspect that is intentional as a reflection of the chaotic nature of the final scenes. Warning: increasingly graphic sex and gore.

[Jennifer Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a weird and wild ride this book is!