The Executor: A Comedy of Letters

by Michael Krüger, John Hargraves (Translation)

Following the sudden death of his best friend, the narrator of The Executor is called to Turin to resolve the will and literary estate of this famous writer and professor. It is a considerable undertaking, as Rudolf had amassed not only a rather extensive collection of house pets (a goose, several ducks, tortoises, and a peacock—to say nothing of Caesar, the old dog), but also a voluminous library of books and research materials. Somewhere under this mountain of papers lies Rudolf’s magnum opus, a work so great that the writer maintained it would be the 'world’s last novel.' But the narrator has other obstacles to overcome: The trio of women Rudolf left behind—the widow, the secretary, and the lover—are all looking for something the narrator isn’t sure he can give. If he had known what awaited him in Turin, would he ever have gone?

Genres: German Literature

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Michael Krüger ist ein deutscher Schriftsteller, Dichter, Verleger und Übersetzer. Er ist seit Juli 2013 Präsident der Bayerischen Akademie der Schönen Künste.

Reviews

[Alibiserver · Rating 3 out of 5]

The executor is more like an intellectual’s stream of consciousness novel. It is short, may be fun for others, and happens in a few days. Too many deaths happen in this book (like it was a domino effect). The language varies from mildly rhetoric to logorrhoea but not abusive. The characters come fleeting but being seen only from the viewpoint of the narrator makes us care what could have happened to them. The ending is a mixed bag; some may be surprised, others confused, while I sighed relief and turned to the next book.

[Kristalla · Rating 1 out of 5]

noiosiSSSSSSSSSSimo.

[Jolanta (knygupė) · Rating 2 out of 5]

...radau savo uzrasuose: tai, romanas, kuris visomis keturiomis spardosi, kad nebutu skaitomas.

[Mario Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

"È giunto il momento in cui non resta più niente da dire."

[Walter · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intelligent, humorous, and profound take on art, friendship, and everything in between. It’s one of those books that seems like everything is what it is; all surface, cordial, and this will only entertain.
And then…bam! (in a good way).
The book sneaks up on you, and you learn that the title of the book can be read multiple ways…

Brilliant.

[t-rex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Translated from the German by John Hargraves.

Covers a lot of ground for its relatively short length.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some pithy epigrams, and observations on art vs originality, but it didn’t really take off for me.

[Caroline Byrd · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was... Ok. I think there were some moments that were supposed to be... Shocking I guess? And they were.... Ho hum/