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Almost Everything Very Fast
Albert is nineteen, grew up in an orphanage, and never knew his mother. All his life Albert had to be a father to his father: Fred is a child trapped in the body of an old man. He spends his time reading encyclopedias, waves at green cars, and is known as the hero of a tragic bus accident. Albert senses that Fred, who has just been given five months left to live, is the only one who can help him learn more about his background.
With time working against them, Albert and Fred set out on an adventurous voyage of discovery that leads them via the underground sewers into the distant past--all the way back to a night in August 1912, and to the story of a forbidden love.
Almost Everything Very Fast, Christopher Kloeble's U.S. debut, is a sensitive and dramatic family saga and page-turning road novel all in one.
With time working against them, Albert and Fred set out on an adventurous voyage of discovery that leads them via the underground sewers into the distant past--all the way back to a night in August 1912, and to the story of a forbidden love.
Almost Everything Very Fast, Christopher Kloeble's U.S. debut, is a sensitive and dramatic family saga and page-turning road novel all in one.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
About the author
Christopher Kloeble
8 books10 followersChristopher Kloeble ist ein deutscher Schriftsteller und Drehbuchautor.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
October 19, 2017
Ambrosial.
Fun. Sad. Romantic. Horrors. Endearing. And a great yarn.
This book reminds me a lot of the Scandinavian books like “The Hundred Year Old Man” and “Ove”. This road story has a message and the ride is enjoyable too.
19-year old Albert wants to find his mother. His father Fred is dying and because of his developmental condition, can’t tell him. His father would rather stand along the roadside and count green cars or read his encyclopedia. Time is running out and Albert has to be resourceful.
Despite the title, the secrets unwind, the past is dug up and “everything”is explained not “very fast”. Rather, at a good pace.
German author Christopher Kloeble plays customs and even uses his own name. Klöble is a “country” term for children with a “marked” birth (I am not willing to give this away). Even the town has a custom where once a year you must throw away your “Most Prized Possession” in the fire. A scary idea for most children. Even scarier in this story. Kloeble (the writer) does an enjoyable play with Brothers Grimm-like tales blending into his contemporary tale.
His empathy for Fred is handled with respect and the drives the story. Albert is a young man trying to make sense of the world. How things unfold makes this enjoyable entertainment.
I was truly hooked. It was ambrosial.
Fun. Sad. Romantic. Horrors. Endearing. And a great yarn.
This book reminds me a lot of the Scandinavian books like “The Hundred Year Old Man” and “Ove”. This road story has a message and the ride is enjoyable too.
19-year old Albert wants to find his mother. His father Fred is dying and because of his developmental condition, can’t tell him. His father would rather stand along the roadside and count green cars or read his encyclopedia. Time is running out and Albert has to be resourceful.
Despite the title, the secrets unwind, the past is dug up and “everything”is explained not “very fast”. Rather, at a good pace.
German author Christopher Kloeble plays customs and even uses his own name. Klöble is a “country” term for children with a “marked” birth (I am not willing to give this away). Even the town has a custom where once a year you must throw away your “Most Prized Possession” in the fire. A scary idea for most children. Even scarier in this story. Kloeble (the writer) does an enjoyable play with Brothers Grimm-like tales blending into his contemporary tale.
His empathy for Fred is handled with respect and the drives the story. Albert is a young man trying to make sense of the world. How things unfold makes this enjoyable entertainment.
I was truly hooked. It was ambrosial.
November 12, 2016
I actually had the privilege to meet the Author. He did a reading in English and in German, and answered my questions and signed my book.
The author answered one of my question by saying "Sometimes authors have no idea how the story will end", and it made me realize that the author is along the same ride as the reader the first time they enter the story.
This book was so incredible. Such an interesting story, so suspenseful! It was so hard to put down, and when I did, it was to let it sink in.
Aaron Kerner did an incredible job translating this from German to English. It's hard to believe it's a translated copy! I'm definitely going to be reading this in German.
The author answered one of my question by saying "Sometimes authors have no idea how the story will end", and it made me realize that the author is along the same ride as the reader the first time they enter the story.
This book was so incredible. Such an interesting story, so suspenseful! It was so hard to put down, and when I did, it was to let it sink in.
Aaron Kerner did an incredible job translating this from German to English. It's hard to believe it's a translated copy! I'm definitely going to be reading this in German.
August 30, 2020
Un inaspettata storia di famiglia. Purtroppo ci ho messo un po' troppo a leggerlo, ma non per colpa della scrittura che al contrario ti coinvolge nel raccontare questa avventura e che dice Fred è estasiante!!!
Consiglio.
Consiglio.
February 17, 2016
I am grateful to have won this German translated book from Goodreads for an honest review. This quirky book is really hard to categorize and describe;it is unlike anything I have read before. Albert is raised in an orphanage but has a father who is mentally deficient and unable to care for him. When he turns 19, he leaves the orphanage to administer care to his own father who is only given five months to live. As they undertake a journey through the past to discover the true identity of his mother and other family history, the novel alternates between present day and back to 1912 where it all began.The characters are very vivid and well drawn, and the tale incredibly poignant but in part it felt like a fairy tale out of Hans Christian Anderson. That said, this tale takes one on a heart rendering journey that will not quickly be forgotten..a 3.5
September 10, 2013
Leider geht hier gar nichts schnell, der Autor ist zu verliebt in seine ziemlich schrulligen Figuren. Je weiter die Geschichte zurückreicht, desto überdrehter wirkt das Ganze.
October 14, 2020
"Lo andranno a trovare e gli racconteranno dove stanno spingendo il mondo, o dove il mondo sta spingendo loro"
Non mi aspettavo un bel niente da questo libro, invece ci ho trovato tutto: amore, guerra, tragedia, rimpianto. Fred e Albert sono dolcissimi e il finale mi ha profondamente commossa. Stra consigliato!
Non mi aspettavo un bel niente da questo libro, invece ci ho trovato tutto: amore, guerra, tragedia, rimpianto. Fred e Albert sono dolcissimi e il finale mi ha profondamente commossa. Stra consigliato!
December 18, 2019
VOTO 4,5
Iniziando a scrivere questo post so già che parlarvi di “Quasi tutto velocissimo” sarà un’impresa ardua. Lo sarà perché, come spesso succede, la bellezza di libro è difficile da raccontare.
Iniziamo dai personaggi. Albert ha 19 anni ed è in quel delicato momento della sua vita in cui, per andare avanti, necessita di risposte sul suo passato. Una in particolare: chi è sua madre?
Continua a essere inutile chiederlo a Fred, il quale dice sempre di “aver capito tutto” senza mai aver colto il senso di una frase, fissato con le auto verdi e con un momento vago passato a fare l’eroe, legato a strane manie che non sembrano avere logica. Albert non l’ha mai chiamato papà. Come avrebbe potuto?
Albert ha insegnato a Fred a nuotare, non viceversa. Albert lo rassicurava quando c’era un temporale e ancora si prende cura di lui. Non viceversa.
“Io sono Fred”.
“E sei mio padre”.
Fred strizzava gli occhi.
“Hai capito?” chiedeva Albert.
“Io capisco sempre tutto” replicava Fred.
Credo che l’autore abbia reso in modo impeccabile questi due personaggi, nella loro dinamica, nei loro dialoghi e, in generale, nel loro rapporto. Insieme sono straordinari, nell’arrendevolezza di Albert, nella testardaggine di Fred, ma sono potenti anche da soli.
Con Fred in particolare, per ovvie ragioni legate al suo deficit mentale, c’era il rischio di cadere in banali luoghi comuni o di scadere nel fuori luogo, ma per fortuna l’autore è rimasto saldamente lontano da entrambi.
La storia di Albert e Fred è fortemente legata a vicende del passato, che si faranno chiare solo andando avanti nella lettura. Sarà Julius a raccontarci la sua storia e quella della sua famiglia. Credo che sia stato a causa sua se questa parte mi abbia emotivamente coinvolta meno: Julius altro non è che un personaggio spregevole e meschino. Con le sue ultime battute mi ha fatto venire i fremiti dalla rabbia. Secondo me se un autore riusce a far provare a un lettore questo tipo di emozioni, allora ha fatto centro, indipendentemente dalla trama.
Per la recensione completa: https://www.silenziostoleggendo.com/2...
Iniziando a scrivere questo post so già che parlarvi di “Quasi tutto velocissimo” sarà un’impresa ardua. Lo sarà perché, come spesso succede, la bellezza di libro è difficile da raccontare.
Iniziamo dai personaggi. Albert ha 19 anni ed è in quel delicato momento della sua vita in cui, per andare avanti, necessita di risposte sul suo passato. Una in particolare: chi è sua madre?
Continua a essere inutile chiederlo a Fred, il quale dice sempre di “aver capito tutto” senza mai aver colto il senso di una frase, fissato con le auto verdi e con un momento vago passato a fare l’eroe, legato a strane manie che non sembrano avere logica. Albert non l’ha mai chiamato papà. Come avrebbe potuto?
Albert ha insegnato a Fred a nuotare, non viceversa. Albert lo rassicurava quando c’era un temporale e ancora si prende cura di lui. Non viceversa.
“Io sono Fred”.
“E sei mio padre”.
Fred strizzava gli occhi.
“Hai capito?” chiedeva Albert.
“Io capisco sempre tutto” replicava Fred.
Credo che l’autore abbia reso in modo impeccabile questi due personaggi, nella loro dinamica, nei loro dialoghi e, in generale, nel loro rapporto. Insieme sono straordinari, nell’arrendevolezza di Albert, nella testardaggine di Fred, ma sono potenti anche da soli.
Con Fred in particolare, per ovvie ragioni legate al suo deficit mentale, c’era il rischio di cadere in banali luoghi comuni o di scadere nel fuori luogo, ma per fortuna l’autore è rimasto saldamente lontano da entrambi.
La storia di Albert e Fred è fortemente legata a vicende del passato, che si faranno chiare solo andando avanti nella lettura. Sarà Julius a raccontarci la sua storia e quella della sua famiglia. Credo che sia stato a causa sua se questa parte mi abbia emotivamente coinvolta meno: Julius altro non è che un personaggio spregevole e meschino. Con le sue ultime battute mi ha fatto venire i fremiti dalla rabbia. Secondo me se un autore riusce a far provare a un lettore questo tipo di emozioni, allora ha fatto centro, indipendentemente dalla trama.
Per la recensione completa: https://www.silenziostoleggendo.com/2...
March 6, 2024
The most unique thing about this book, I think, is the storytelling; the story is approached from two different perspectives - essentially the past and the future, like a candle burning at both ends - leading to a climax and conclusion that meet right in the middle. It was engaging to try to piece together the story as the differing perspectives gradually converged, and that eagerness kept me turning page after page.
I also thought the language used in the book was excellent. Apt metaphors and vivid descriptions of situations or events are abundant, and I found myself easily imagining every detail of every scene. All the while, the author continually plucks heartstrings with lessons about life told in a kind of childlike wonder, the wonder that we all have, then lose, before eventually finding it again. Pairing a character trying to find answers about his family with gentle lessons about what family really is anyway is a somewhat-common trope. Still, the characters in this book were memorable for several reasons, not the least of which is the impacts and influences they’ve had on the lives of one another.
This story twisted and turned, but remained gentle in its telling. One of the central plot points in the story was something I felt really uncomfortable reading about, but was presented with an air of maturity such that it had me even more compelled to continue and I’m thankful for that. This book was a random find, but I’m glad I did. It contains meaningful lessons on ambrosial love, family chosen vs. family given, and what kinds of things are worthy of being your Most Beloved Possessions.
3.75/5, but bumped to a 4/5 because it had me emotional at times
I also thought the language used in the book was excellent. Apt metaphors and vivid descriptions of situations or events are abundant, and I found myself easily imagining every detail of every scene. All the while, the author continually plucks heartstrings with lessons about life told in a kind of childlike wonder, the wonder that we all have, then lose, before eventually finding it again. Pairing a character trying to find answers about his family with gentle lessons about what family really is anyway is a somewhat-common trope. Still, the characters in this book were memorable for several reasons, not the least of which is the impacts and influences they’ve had on the lives of one another.
This story twisted and turned, but remained gentle in its telling. One of the central plot points in the story was something I felt really uncomfortable reading about, but was presented with an air of maturity such that it had me even more compelled to continue and I’m thankful for that. This book was a random find, but I’m glad I did. It contains meaningful lessons on ambrosial love, family chosen vs. family given, and what kinds of things are worthy of being your Most Beloved Possessions.
3.75/5, but bumped to a 4/5 because it had me emotional at times
July 23, 2024
"You can talk the way people sing"
"That's by Nietzsche"
"Is he one of your friends?"
"Sometimes"
I had to put in an ILL for this one and boy am I glad I did. What a profoundly weird and stunning thing. The characters were what I'd wanted from A Man Called Ove--baffling and complex and often kind of horrible, but terribly interesting and sometimes lovely. Maybe even ambrosial. I read full chapters of this book with The Look on my face (every romantic relationship in the whole thing was sus in its own way), but I couldn't stop reading it.
Part II was so weird and well done that as a standalone short story it would've been one of the best I'd ever read. Just knocked the wind out of me.
Every little phrase and item and detail tied back to itself, which is something I always look for. And honestly? I loved Albert.
(Read for StoryGraph's 2024 Read the World Challenge. Prompt: Germany)
"That's by Nietzsche"
"Is he one of your friends?"
"Sometimes"
I had to put in an ILL for this one and boy am I glad I did. What a profoundly weird and stunning thing. The characters were what I'd wanted from A Man Called Ove--baffling and complex and often kind of horrible, but terribly interesting and sometimes lovely. Maybe even ambrosial. I read full chapters of this book with The Look on my face (every romantic relationship in the whole thing was sus in its own way), but I couldn't stop reading it.
Part II was so weird and well done that as a standalone short story it would've been one of the best I'd ever read. Just knocked the wind out of me.
Every little phrase and item and detail tied back to itself, which is something I always look for. And honestly? I loved Albert.
(Read for StoryGraph's 2024 Read the World Challenge. Prompt: Germany)
July 13, 2020
Christopher Kloeble, Quasi tutto velocissimo, Keller Editore.
A Konigsdorf, piccola cittadina bavarese, Albert e Fred vivono una vita tranquilla e spensierata fino a quando Anni, nonna di Albert e madre di Fred, passa a miglior vita.
Avendo Fred un ritardo e non potendo badare alla sopravvivenza del figlio, Albert viene mandato in un orfanotrofio. Lì inizia a domandarsi quale sia realmente la sua storia e chi sia sua madre.
Un romanzo commovente, impreziosito dalla storia genealogica della famiglia Habom fino alla nascita di Albert, che grazie alla vivida narrazione di Kloeble racchiude una vasta gamma di emozioni ed ingiustizie.
A Konigsdorf, piccola cittadina bavarese, Albert e Fred vivono una vita tranquilla e spensierata fino a quando Anni, nonna di Albert e madre di Fred, passa a miglior vita.
Avendo Fred un ritardo e non potendo badare alla sopravvivenza del figlio, Albert viene mandato in un orfanotrofio. Lì inizia a domandarsi quale sia realmente la sua storia e chi sia sua madre.
Un romanzo commovente, impreziosito dalla storia genealogica della famiglia Habom fino alla nascita di Albert, che grazie alla vivida narrazione di Kloeble racchiude una vasta gamma di emozioni ed ingiustizie.
Read
November 20, 2021I read this book in a book reading challenge and was fortune to meet the author as well. As it was a competition, the book was supposed to be finished in 5 days, I unbelievingly did that in 18 hours. Captivating und marvelously written, this book is an easy read for the advance English learners with beautiful use of vocab and expression, however equally challenging for your head to process the thoughts put forward, said or unsaid sometimes, by the characters.
I would like to recommend this book to everyone looking for a fast and simultaneously challenging read.
I would like to recommend this book to everyone looking for a fast and simultaneously challenging read.
July 10, 2017
Albert lives in an orphanage because his father, Fred, has the mind of a child. And the one thing that Albert pines for, his mother, is only one of the things that Fred can't remember.
As Albert and Fred search for Albert's mother, history reveals multigenerational longings, loves, and pain, and takes the reader on a father and son journey like no other.
As Albert and Fred search for Albert's mother, history reveals multigenerational longings, loves, and pain, and takes the reader on a father and son journey like no other.
September 4, 2018
I enjoyed this coming of age novel which was a fairly quick read with a nice balance of intrigue, sadness, and joy. An interesting array of very flawed characters who are all trying to go about somewhat normal lives. The book read a bit like the curious incident of the dog in the nighttime and a Robertson Davies novel with all the narratives tying together nicely at the end.
3.5
3.5
September 7, 2021
Enjoyable, different type of read, the style reminded me a bit of "the Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night". Once I got into the book I found it difficult to put down. The two stories intertwined well and was hard not to skip forward to continue with the current story line. I'm not sure I liked the resolution of 'who is Albert's mother?"- but not the mother answer.
December 27, 2020
Gli autori tedeschi pubblicati da Keller continuano a stupirmi!
Questa è la volta di Christopher Kloeble e del suo bellissimo romanzo, scritto con grande leggerezza e costruito intorno ad incastri di trama perfetti.
Questa è la volta di Christopher Kloeble e del suo bellissimo romanzo, scritto con grande leggerezza e costruito intorno ad incastri di trama perfetti.
January 25, 2024
Un libro corposo, fatto di storie parallele che convergono, storie oscure e torbide con tratti di profonda tenerezza. Il finale è un crescendo di colpi di scena e rivelazioni, a tratti complesso e straniante.
October 17, 2024
Whoa.
Way better than I expected. Also more intriguing and sad in a way that feels lighter after it’s been mixed with a whole bunch of other emotions, like surprise, fascination, slightly disturbed, confused, suspense, wholesomeness, and a bit of weirdness.
Way better than I expected. Also more intriguing and sad in a way that feels lighter after it’s been mixed with a whole bunch of other emotions, like surprise, fascination, slightly disturbed, confused, suspense, wholesomeness, and a bit of weirdness.
November 4, 2017
Very interesting...liked some parts, didn't like others. Each character was wonderfully portrayed...felt like you really knew them.
January 6, 2021
Libro scorrevole. I due protagonisti sono perfetti. Impossibile non empatizzare con loro. La rivelazione finale mi ha lasciata un po' sconcertata, ma il libro mi è piaciuto molto
March 28, 2021
Quaint, but uncomfortable.
May 17, 2021
Incredibly unique story, a little hard to follow but ultimately did enjoy this one.
August 23, 2021
Not what I expected but surprisingly lighthearted despite being somewhat disturbing and dark. Very German I guess, but I’d recommend
February 4, 2023
especially the part about the dress
January 17, 2024
A very interesting story about this orphan boy's journey to find his mom. The ending was not expected which I enjoyed a lot.
December 11, 2024
super naive. simpatico, scorrevole. stralunato come lo sanno essere solo i tedeschi.
July 9, 2025
Strange story; anti-climactic
August 7, 2020
I picked this book off the shelf at the library, not knowing anything about it or the author. Before reading it, I checked GR (as any goodreader is bound to do) and was disappointed to see such low ratings. But I read it anyway, thinking that surely there isn’t a lot of crap that merits being translated to other languages.
I’m so glad I did. This book was so beautiful. An added bonus was the material related to ancestry, adoption, bio-parents versus the parents who raise us. As a foster mom, that stuff always interests me.
This book is a refreshing perspective on what it means to be labeled, to have a disability that others feel subtracts value from your life. It is an interesting look at a child who “parents” the parent, instead of the other way around. And it’s devastating in the questions it asks of love - both romantic love and parental love.
Highly recommend.
I’m so glad I did. This book was so beautiful. An added bonus was the material related to ancestry, adoption, bio-parents versus the parents who raise us. As a foster mom, that stuff always interests me.
This book is a refreshing perspective on what it means to be labeled, to have a disability that others feel subtracts value from your life. It is an interesting look at a child who “parents” the parent, instead of the other way around. And it’s devastating in the questions it asks of love - both romantic love and parental love.
Highly recommend.
December 14, 2020
2,5 stars
This is the story of a 19-year-old boy, Albert, whose father, Fred, is diagnosed with a heart condition and is going to die in about 7 months. The problem is (besides what’s obvious) that Albert doesn’t know who his mother is, and this short time is what’s left for him to find out. The other problem is that Fred is mentally disabled in some capacity, so it won’t be an easy task.
I didn’t love this book, to be honest. Let me tell you why.
One thing I will definitely give to the author is that the story DOES move very fast: from beginning to end the perspective changes 6 or 7 times, switching back and forth between the present and the past; an awful lot of things happen, an awful lot of characters are introduced; every chapter moves the plot forward.
But still.
Stillness, that’s what was missing for me from this book: some pauses to reflect on what was happening, some time to engage with thoughts rather than actions.
My main critique is that nothing really affects the characters at a psychological level: revelations are made, things change, and yet nobody stops to think about themselves because, as the title suggests, everything moves very, very fast.
Also, so much of it is cliché I spent most of my time rolling my eyes at the corny “philosophical” and quirky lines.
And the metaphors and similes were poor.
And some plot points felt like they were there to grab your attention rather than to build a compelling story.
All in all, as you can tell, I didn’t love it. It was a quick read, that’s for sure, but that’s not enough for me to like a book.
This is the story of a 19-year-old boy, Albert, whose father, Fred, is diagnosed with a heart condition and is going to die in about 7 months. The problem is (besides what’s obvious) that Albert doesn’t know who his mother is, and this short time is what’s left for him to find out. The other problem is that Fred is mentally disabled in some capacity, so it won’t be an easy task.
I didn’t love this book, to be honest. Let me tell you why.
One thing I will definitely give to the author is that the story DOES move very fast: from beginning to end the perspective changes 6 or 7 times, switching back and forth between the present and the past; an awful lot of things happen, an awful lot of characters are introduced; every chapter moves the plot forward.
But still.
Stillness, that’s what was missing for me from this book: some pauses to reflect on what was happening, some time to engage with thoughts rather than actions.
My main critique is that nothing really affects the characters at a psychological level: revelations are made, things change, and yet nobody stops to think about themselves because, as the title suggests, everything moves very, very fast.
Also, so much of it is cliché I spent most of my time rolling my eyes at the corny “philosophical” and quirky lines.
And the metaphors and similes were poor.
And some plot points felt like they were there to grab your attention rather than to build a compelling story.
All in all, as you can tell, I didn’t love it. It was a quick read, that’s for sure, but that’s not enough for me to like a book.
October 15, 2016
This was a sweet book. Original, and I did not guess the ending. It's also nice for its very caring portrayal of intellectual disability.
October 20, 2015
What to make of this book? Told in two intertwining stories which reach a satisfying conclusion, there are many side trips and characters with stories within the story to make it rich. Since this is a translation, there may be jokes and references that are missed by an English-reading audience, but one in particular had me laugh out loud. On a plane. Cohabitation between siblings plays a part in the narrative, despite the danger of producing a "kloble," which when googled, proves to be a search engine of some kind, but is also one letter away from the author's name. Also the outside world is only glancingly referred to, despite being set in Germany, partially in the years 1924-1945. It has almost a mythic charm, and I feel it's more about people's relationships to one another notwithstanding political influences. I liked it for its quirky qualities, its original characters, and its humanity.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews