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Fear
I had always believed my father capable of a massacre. Whenever I heard on the news that there had been a killing spree, I would hold my breath, unable to relax until it was clear that it couldn't have been him. That's paranoid, I know, but it's inevitable if you grew up the way I did.
Randolph insists he had a normal childhood, though his father kept thirty loaded guns in the house. Now he has an attractive, intelligent wife and two children, enjoys modest success as an architect and has just moved into a beautiful flat in a respectable part of Berlin. Life seems perfect - until his wife, Rebecca, meets the man living in the basement below.
Their downstairs neighbour is friendly at first, but soon he starts to frighten them - and when Randolph fails to act, the situation quickly spins out of control.
Randolph insists he had a normal childhood, though his father kept thirty loaded guns in the house. Now he has an attractive, intelligent wife and two children, enjoys modest success as an architect and has just moved into a beautiful flat in a respectable part of Berlin. Life seems perfect - until his wife, Rebecca, meets the man living in the basement below.
Their downstairs neighbour is friendly at first, but soon he starts to frighten them - and when Randolph fails to act, the situation quickly spins out of control.
292 pages, Paperback
First published January 18, 2013
111 people are currently reading
1782 people want to read
About the author
Dirk Kurbjuweit
18 books40 followersDirk Kurbjuweit is deputy editor-in-chief at Der Spiegel, where he has worked since 1999, and divides his time between Berlin and Hamburg. He has received numerous awards for his writing, including the Egon Erwin Kisch Prize for journalism, and is the author of seven critically acclaimed novels, many of which, including Fear, have been adapted for film, television and radio in Germany. Fear is the first of his works to be translated into English.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 304 reviews
November 2, 2017
*2.5 STARS*
Having read the synopsis for 'Fear' I was expecting a tense, heart pounding read, but I'm afraid I was left feeling deeply disappointed.
The story is narrated by Randolph, (an architect) who finds that he, his wife and two children are stalked by their neighbour. The neighbour writes letters and poetry to Randolph's wife, and more worryingly, makes false accusations to the authorities saying they sexually abuse their children.
Although the story outlines a middle aged man's attempt to cause as much fear and intimidation as he possibly can for his neighbours, his story actually takes something of a backseat, the main focus being on Randolph. The author gives a detailed characterisation of Randolph going back to his childhood- the depth of which is astonishing, and yet, I still don't feel as if I knew him at all, and what's worse is I really didn't care. On a more positive note there was a twist at the end that I wasn't expecting, but it came too late to save it for me.
Set in Berlin, 'Fear' has been translated into English, and I just don't know if something was lost in translation, but it just didn't do it for me, it held such promise but didn't live up to it.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group for my ARC in exchange for an honest review*
Having read the synopsis for 'Fear' I was expecting a tense, heart pounding read, but I'm afraid I was left feeling deeply disappointed.
The story is narrated by Randolph, (an architect) who finds that he, his wife and two children are stalked by their neighbour. The neighbour writes letters and poetry to Randolph's wife, and more worryingly, makes false accusations to the authorities saying they sexually abuse their children.
Although the story outlines a middle aged man's attempt to cause as much fear and intimidation as he possibly can for his neighbours, his story actually takes something of a backseat, the main focus being on Randolph. The author gives a detailed characterisation of Randolph going back to his childhood- the depth of which is astonishing, and yet, I still don't feel as if I knew him at all, and what's worse is I really didn't care. On a more positive note there was a twist at the end that I wasn't expecting, but it came too late to save it for me.
Set in Berlin, 'Fear' has been translated into English, and I just don't know if something was lost in translation, but it just didn't do it for me, it held such promise but didn't live up to it.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group for my ARC in exchange for an honest review*
September 27, 2017
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Dirk Kurbjuweit and House of Anansi for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Having never read Kurbjuweit’s work, I was curious to see how I might enjoy something a little different. Spurred on by having it fit into a current book challenge topic (a book translated from its original language), I thought it could serve a double purpose, as I toil through the dark and anger-filled German narrative. Randolph Tiefenthaler is a man who has lived in the shadow of fear for his entire life, beginning with the terror his mother felt while he was still in utero during the Cuban Missile Crisis and continued on while living in Cold War West Germany. Offsetting the political fear was the emotional instability at home, where a domineering father ran the house as he saw fit. Tiefenthaler, who takes the role of narrator through this piece, explores the fear of his marriage to Rebecca, as they grow further apart and appear to remain together solely for their children. However, it is the introduction of the downstairs neighbour, Dieter Tiberius, that evokes the most fear and anger in the story. In a narrative that constantly oscillates between the aforementioned past revelations and a current situation, Herr Tiberius begins a peaceable coexistence with the Tiefenthaler family, but things soon take a turn when handwritten love notes turn sour and allegations of child abuse are lobbed at Randolph and Rebecca. As Randolph seeks to quell the fires, his anger pushes him to the brink, particularly when he feels the law offers Tiberius carte blanche to continue his conniving ways. With hatred in his heart and a father who is a known marksman, Tiefenthaler must decide how to neutralise his fear once and for all. The narrative points to an end-game that was adjudicated by the courts, but a twist in the story leaves the reader somewhat shocked. An interesting exploration of German angst and anger in literary form, Kurbjuweit offers readers an interesting story, though I cannot say I was fully enthralled.
With no benchmark for the author’s work, it is hard to compare or contrast against some of the other stories that may have been published. However, the premise of the novel is interesting, particularly the ongoing struggle to come to terms with an offended neighbour whose personal agenda is unknown. Layering this struggle with the protagonist’s own life events, Kurbjuweit allows the reader to view some of the foundations of fear that emerge throughout. While the story does progress, the delivery of the backstory is a little tepid, almost detached and told in a less than involved manner. This could be due to the translation, but I felt as though Kurbjuweit was using the first person narrative to allow Randolph to deliver his life history is a speech format. ‘Here is what I have experienced, etc...’ While I have expounded the wonders of European mysteries whose translation into English makes them better than many North American pieces, this one does not meet that mark. I felt as though I was missing something throughout, waiting for the other part of the story to fall into place, even with some of the self-doubt woven into Randolph and Rebecca throughout the piece. Alas, the only ‘clunk’ I heard was my head hitting the table as I tried to shake some order into the story before writing this review.
Interesting work, Herr Kurbjuweit, for this piece, which speaks to the stereotypical German literary gloom and doom. It served its purpose for my book challenge, though I am not sure I will rush back to read more of your translated work.
This book fulfills Equinox I (A Book for All Seasons) Book Challenge for Topic #2: A Book Translated from its Original Language
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Having never read Kurbjuweit’s work, I was curious to see how I might enjoy something a little different. Spurred on by having it fit into a current book challenge topic (a book translated from its original language), I thought it could serve a double purpose, as I toil through the dark and anger-filled German narrative. Randolph Tiefenthaler is a man who has lived in the shadow of fear for his entire life, beginning with the terror his mother felt while he was still in utero during the Cuban Missile Crisis and continued on while living in Cold War West Germany. Offsetting the political fear was the emotional instability at home, where a domineering father ran the house as he saw fit. Tiefenthaler, who takes the role of narrator through this piece, explores the fear of his marriage to Rebecca, as they grow further apart and appear to remain together solely for their children. However, it is the introduction of the downstairs neighbour, Dieter Tiberius, that evokes the most fear and anger in the story. In a narrative that constantly oscillates between the aforementioned past revelations and a current situation, Herr Tiberius begins a peaceable coexistence with the Tiefenthaler family, but things soon take a turn when handwritten love notes turn sour and allegations of child abuse are lobbed at Randolph and Rebecca. As Randolph seeks to quell the fires, his anger pushes him to the brink, particularly when he feels the law offers Tiberius carte blanche to continue his conniving ways. With hatred in his heart and a father who is a known marksman, Tiefenthaler must decide how to neutralise his fear once and for all. The narrative points to an end-game that was adjudicated by the courts, but a twist in the story leaves the reader somewhat shocked. An interesting exploration of German angst and anger in literary form, Kurbjuweit offers readers an interesting story, though I cannot say I was fully enthralled.
With no benchmark for the author’s work, it is hard to compare or contrast against some of the other stories that may have been published. However, the premise of the novel is interesting, particularly the ongoing struggle to come to terms with an offended neighbour whose personal agenda is unknown. Layering this struggle with the protagonist’s own life events, Kurbjuweit allows the reader to view some of the foundations of fear that emerge throughout. While the story does progress, the delivery of the backstory is a little tepid, almost detached and told in a less than involved manner. This could be due to the translation, but I felt as though Kurbjuweit was using the first person narrative to allow Randolph to deliver his life history is a speech format. ‘Here is what I have experienced, etc...’ While I have expounded the wonders of European mysteries whose translation into English makes them better than many North American pieces, this one does not meet that mark. I felt as though I was missing something throughout, waiting for the other part of the story to fall into place, even with some of the self-doubt woven into Randolph and Rebecca throughout the piece. Alas, the only ‘clunk’ I heard was my head hitting the table as I tried to shake some order into the story before writing this review.
Interesting work, Herr Kurbjuweit, for this piece, which speaks to the stereotypical German literary gloom and doom. It served its purpose for my book challenge, though I am not sure I will rush back to read more of your translated work.
This book fulfills Equinox I (A Book for All Seasons) Book Challenge for Topic #2: A Book Translated from its Original Language
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
January 24, 2018
Family is everything. So what if yours was being terrorised by a neighbour - a man who will not listen to reason. And those you thought would help you - the police, your lawyer - can't help you. You become afraid to leave your family at home. But there is nothing more you can do to help them.
Oh dear, this is a bit of a slow burner that was sometimes a bit too slow. The story switches from modern day and the past. I thought this was going to be a tense read but unfortunately it was far from it. I really hate to give negative reviews and I'm sure there will be plenty of readers who will disagree with me.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Orion Publishing Group and the author Dirk Kurbjuweit for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Oh dear, this is a bit of a slow burner that was sometimes a bit too slow. The story switches from modern day and the past. I thought this was going to be a tense read but unfortunately it was far from it. I really hate to give negative reviews and I'm sure there will be plenty of readers who will disagree with me.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Orion Publishing Group and the author Dirk Kurbjuweit for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 24, 2020
4.5/5
Įspėjimas: čia ne detektyvas. Ir ne trileris. Pabaiga aiški jau nuo pat pradžios, tačiau tai, kas mirė ir tai, kas ką nužudė – toli gražu nėra knygos esmė. Tai nėra nei greita, nei veiksmas-veja-veiksmą tipo knyga. Veikėjai – vos keli, siužeto posūkiai – irgi. Neleiskite nei knygos apimčiai, nei viršeliui jūsų suklaidinti. „Baimė“ – labai plona, vos 192 psl.knygutė, bet kiek gelmės ji savyje talpina! Kaip negailestingai autorius daro tėvų ir vaikų, sutuoktinių, žmogaus ir visuomenės, žmogaus ir santykio su tiesa, demokratija, teisine sistema skrodimą. Kaip aštriai ir skaudžiai pjauna per rutiną ir kasdienybę, santuoką ir šeimą, ištraukdamas mažiausias, plika akimi dažnai nepastebimas ar sąmoningai pražiūrimas smulkmenas, apnuogindamas žmones taip, kad net užgniaužia kvapą. D.Kurbjuweit priešais skaitytoją išstato jų slapčiausias baimes, giliausius troškimus, paslaptis – tokias, kurias kartais baisu pripažinti net sau pačiam, net mintyse.
Architekto Randolfo Tyfentalerio šeima iš pažiūros atrodo darni ir laiminga. Trys nuostabūs vaikučiai, išsilavinusi ir įdomi žmona, naujas butas prestižiniame Berlyno rajone. Vis dėlto, pusrūsyje po Tyfentaleriais, socialiniame būste, gyvena per dienas išvien Dustino Hoffmano filmus žiūrintis Dyteris Tiberijus, kuris ima šeimą persekioti, o galiausiai – kaltinti jų trijų vaikų seksualiniu prievartavimu. Jis laviruoja ant (ne)legalumo ribos, prieš jo veiksmus advokatai ir policija yra bejėgiai, o tai veda Tyfentalerius iš proto lėtai, tačiau užtikrintai. Kaip gyventi, kai kasdienybę lydi panika, įtampa ir baimė? Ką daryti, kai teisinė valstybė, kuria visada didžiavaisi, kai pacifizmas, kurį jau tiek metų praktikuoji, nuvilia vėl ir vėl, kol kiekvienas iš tokios darnios šeimos narių, pamažu pradeda eiti iš proto, kiekvienas savaip? Kaip nekaltinti savęs ir savo artimiausių dalykais, apie kuriuos anksčiau net nesusimąstei, kaip miegoti, kai kaltintojas, rodos, yra visur – sėdi šalia jums pusryčiaujant, žiūri per langą jums miegant, netgi guli greta jums mylintis?
„Baimė“ man šiek tiek priminė A.Kamiu „Svetimą“. Pasakotojo atvirumas, besiliejantis tiesiog laišku skaitytojui, neturintis nei dialogų, nei, rodos, ribų, nėra toks, kurį lengva pakelti. Dažnai sakome, kad atvirumą vertiname ir jo norime visur ir visada – šeimoje, santykyje su draugais, su savimi. Bet šioje knygoje atvirumas slegiantis, parodantis tas visuomenės ir žmonių puses, į kurias žiūrėti sunku, o pripažinti garsiai – dar sunkiau. Knyga priverčia susimąstyti apie tai, kaip baimė gimsta, kaip įleidžia šaknis dar vaikystėje, kaip yra vis palaistoma tėvų, draugų, aplinkinių, aplinkybių, o ir mūsų pačių. Kaip ji kerojasi ir auga kartu su mumis, kaip galiausiai ima smaugti, visiškai užvaldo, veda iš proto ir priverčia daryti dalykus, kurie anksčiau atrodė ne tik už galimybių, bet ir už suvokimo ribų.
Įspėjimas: čia ne detektyvas. Ir ne trileris. Pabaiga aiški jau nuo pat pradžios, tačiau tai, kas mirė ir tai, kas ką nužudė – toli gražu nėra knygos esmė. Tai nėra nei greita, nei veiksmas-veja-veiksmą tipo knyga. Veikėjai – vos keli, siužeto posūkiai – irgi. Neleiskite nei knygos apimčiai, nei viršeliui jūsų suklaidinti. „Baimė“ – labai plona, vos 192 psl.knygutė, bet kiek gelmės ji savyje talpina! Kaip negailestingai autorius daro tėvų ir vaikų, sutuoktinių, žmogaus ir visuomenės, žmogaus ir santykio su tiesa, demokratija, teisine sistema skrodimą. Kaip aštriai ir skaudžiai pjauna per rutiną ir kasdienybę, santuoką ir šeimą, ištraukdamas mažiausias, plika akimi dažnai nepastebimas ar sąmoningai pražiūrimas smulkmenas, apnuogindamas žmones taip, kad net užgniaužia kvapą. D.Kurbjuweit priešais skaitytoją išstato jų slapčiausias baimes, giliausius troškimus, paslaptis – tokias, kurias kartais baisu pripažinti net sau pačiam, net mintyse.
Architekto Randolfo Tyfentalerio šeima iš pažiūros atrodo darni ir laiminga. Trys nuostabūs vaikučiai, išsilavinusi ir įdomi žmona, naujas butas prestižiniame Berlyno rajone. Vis dėlto, pusrūsyje po Tyfentaleriais, socialiniame būste, gyvena per dienas išvien Dustino Hoffmano filmus žiūrintis Dyteris Tiberijus, kuris ima šeimą persekioti, o galiausiai – kaltinti jų trijų vaikų seksualiniu prievartavimu. Jis laviruoja ant (ne)legalumo ribos, prieš jo veiksmus advokatai ir policija yra bejėgiai, o tai veda Tyfentalerius iš proto lėtai, tačiau užtikrintai. Kaip gyventi, kai kasdienybę lydi panika, įtampa ir baimė? Ką daryti, kai teisinė valstybė, kuria visada didžiavaisi, kai pacifizmas, kurį jau tiek metų praktikuoji, nuvilia vėl ir vėl, kol kiekvienas iš tokios darnios šeimos narių, pamažu pradeda eiti iš proto, kiekvienas savaip? Kaip nekaltinti savęs ir savo artimiausių dalykais, apie kuriuos anksčiau net nesusimąstei, kaip miegoti, kai kaltintojas, rodos, yra visur – sėdi šalia jums pusryčiaujant, žiūri per langą jums miegant, netgi guli greta jums mylintis?
„Baimė“ man šiek tiek priminė A.Kamiu „Svetimą“. Pasakotojo atvirumas, besiliejantis tiesiog laišku skaitytojui, neturintis nei dialogų, nei, rodos, ribų, nėra toks, kurį lengva pakelti. Dažnai sakome, kad atvirumą vertiname ir jo norime visur ir visada – šeimoje, santykyje su draugais, su savimi. Bet šioje knygoje atvirumas slegiantis, parodantis tas visuomenės ir žmonių puses, į kurias žiūrėti sunku, o pripažinti garsiai – dar sunkiau. Knyga priverčia susimąstyti apie tai, kaip baimė gimsta, kaip įleidžia šaknis dar vaikystėje, kaip yra vis palaistoma tėvų, draugų, aplinkinių, aplinkybių, o ir mūsų pačių. Kaip ji kerojasi ir auga kartu su mumis, kaip galiausiai ima smaugti, visiškai užvaldo, veda iš proto ir priverčia daryti dalykus, kurie anksčiau atrodė ne tik už galimybių, bet ir už suvokimo ribų.
Read
September 12, 2017A cracking thriller; slow-burning, unusual and original, which delivers not only excellent character interaction, but also a hell of a tough series of insights on the psychology of menace. The fear of the title is all-consuming; finding its way into all aspects of the protagonists' lives, warping reality and affecting everything it touches. Well worth it, just for the food scenes...
February 6, 2017
4.5★s
“We grew up untouched by weapons as everyone else – but for the fact that the guns were there, which changed everything. It meant there were different possibilities – possible threats, in particular. It changed the way we thought and, looking back, sometimes inclined us towards hysteria. For me, home was a place where you could get shot”
Fear is the sixth full-length novel by German journalist and author, Dirk Kurbjuweit, and the first to be translated into English. It opens with a man visiting his elderly father in prison. Hermann Tiefenthaler is serving eight years for shooting dead Dieter Tiberius, his son Randolph’s downstairs neighbour, with one of his collection of thirty weapons.
Randolph Tiefenthaler is a successful architect who is married to Rebecca, a beautiful, intelligent woman. They have two young children. When they move into their newly-purchased ground-floor apartment in Berlin, they are unaware of the basement tenant, having met only the owner of that apartment. But Rebecca says there’s something strange about him…
Randolph’s narrative (the account he is writing for his wife, of what led up to the shooting) relates the events with the benefit of hindsight. It’s a riveting tale that is easily believable, but with a twist or two at the end that certainly turns some ideas on their heads.
Kurbjuweit touches on several topical issues: gun ownership, child abuse, the power of spurious accusations to ruin a reputation, genetics vs upbringing and social inequality. His story demonstrates the effects, on thoughts, feelings and behaviour, of unremitting psychological terror, especially when the legal system seems impotent to protect law-abiding citizens.
Randolph explains: “The courtroom was almost full; the press had reported the case in detail, and largely with understanding. The greatest goodwill, I am afraid to say was expressed by the papers I didn’t normally read, but which now became my allies. A family under threat taking the law into their own hands fitted their world view, and I began to read the tabloids with new sympathy. Today I would cite this as an additional sign – along with my arrogant language and altered mindset – of the barbarism into which Dieter Tiberuis had plunged us. The crime itself, of course, was also barbaric”
This novel is flawlessly translated from German by Imogen Taylor, and it is no surprise that is has been adapted for film, television and radio in Germany. This is a gripping and thought-provoking read.
“We grew up untouched by weapons as everyone else – but for the fact that the guns were there, which changed everything. It meant there were different possibilities – possible threats, in particular. It changed the way we thought and, looking back, sometimes inclined us towards hysteria. For me, home was a place where you could get shot”
Fear is the sixth full-length novel by German journalist and author, Dirk Kurbjuweit, and the first to be translated into English. It opens with a man visiting his elderly father in prison. Hermann Tiefenthaler is serving eight years for shooting dead Dieter Tiberius, his son Randolph’s downstairs neighbour, with one of his collection of thirty weapons.
Randolph Tiefenthaler is a successful architect who is married to Rebecca, a beautiful, intelligent woman. They have two young children. When they move into their newly-purchased ground-floor apartment in Berlin, they are unaware of the basement tenant, having met only the owner of that apartment. But Rebecca says there’s something strange about him…
Randolph’s narrative (the account he is writing for his wife, of what led up to the shooting) relates the events with the benefit of hindsight. It’s a riveting tale that is easily believable, but with a twist or two at the end that certainly turns some ideas on their heads.
Kurbjuweit touches on several topical issues: gun ownership, child abuse, the power of spurious accusations to ruin a reputation, genetics vs upbringing and social inequality. His story demonstrates the effects, on thoughts, feelings and behaviour, of unremitting psychological terror, especially when the legal system seems impotent to protect law-abiding citizens.
Randolph explains: “The courtroom was almost full; the press had reported the case in detail, and largely with understanding. The greatest goodwill, I am afraid to say was expressed by the papers I didn’t normally read, but which now became my allies. A family under threat taking the law into their own hands fitted their world view, and I began to read the tabloids with new sympathy. Today I would cite this as an additional sign – along with my arrogant language and altered mindset – of the barbarism into which Dieter Tiberuis had plunged us. The crime itself, of course, was also barbaric”
This novel is flawlessly translated from German by Imogen Taylor, and it is no surprise that is has been adapted for film, television and radio in Germany. This is a gripping and thought-provoking read.
March 7, 2024
Labai labai įtraukė. Čia ne trileris, kur gniaužia kvapą nuo nežinios, nes viskas aišku nuo pat pradžių. Bet taip įdomiai papasakota, kad ,,paima" psichologiškai, su grįžimais į praeitį, užbėgimais už akių, įvykių bei veiksmų analizėm ir netgi filosofinėm įžvalgom.
Man visgi pasirodė per mažai motyvo žmogžudystei, neįtikino, bet pasimėgauti skaitiniu tai nesutrukdė.
Man visgi pasirodė per mažai motyvo žmogžudystei, neįtikino, bet pasimėgauti skaitiniu tai nesutrukdė.
December 3, 2018
What would you do to protect your family if the law failed to? This thriller based on Dirk Kurbjuweit’s real-life experience of his family being stalked by a neighbour is tense to its very core. It’s an intelligent page-turner but also an exploration of a marriage, family life and an intense father-son relationship. I loved it.
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October 5, 2017Q&A with Dirk Kurbjuweit: http://crimebythebook.com/blog/2017/1...
This is a truly smart and unnerving crime novel. It's NOT your standard thriller - it's a slow-burning journey into the mind of a man whose belief in law and order is challenged when his downstairs neighbor begins harassing his family. As I learned from Dirk, this story is actually based on a real experience his family went through - you can learn more in the Q&A!
This is a truly smart and unnerving crime novel. It's NOT your standard thriller - it's a slow-burning journey into the mind of a man whose belief in law and order is challenged when his downstairs neighbor begins harassing his family. As I learned from Dirk, this story is actually based on a real experience his family went through - you can learn more in the Q&A!
December 30, 2017
This book was a real struggle, i've had the book for a long time and gone back to it more times than I usually would because I really like the idea of it. Yet the premise, the really interesting parts of the plot about a terrorising neighbour, are lost within the main character's backstory. I have nothing else to say about it, and that says it all to me....
ARC via Netgalley
ARC via Netgalley
September 18, 2017
"I had always believed my father capable of a massacre. Whenever I heard on the news that there had been a killing spree, I would hold my breath, unable to relax until it was clear that it couldn't have been him." (Wording may not appear the same in final published edition).
Randolph Tiefenthaler grew up with a father who had an extensive gun collection. Not only were the guns loaded but Randolph’s father had a bit of a temper. Randolph always had a fear that one night his father would come upstairs and kill him and/or his brother. Randolph is an adult now with a wife and children when his father is arrested for murder. It all started when Randolph moved his family to a new building where Dieter Tiberius is living in the basement apartment. Dieter is an odd character who turns into a menacing one when he starts to stalk Randolph and his family and accuses the parents of sexually abusing their children.
This is an excellent psychological thriller with deep insight into family bonds and the fears implanted in us as children that we continue to live with throughout our adult life. I’ve seen other reviews saying the author lectures about issues but I thought the whole book was fascinating. I hung on every word and loved the buildup of suspense. No one seemed to be able to help this family – not their lawyer, not the police and not children’s services. At times I thought, just move away, but they hadn’t done anything wrong to lose their home, but since it involved children, I would have been out of there. Regardless, I was quite impressed by this author. Apparently, the book is loosely based on the author’s own experience with a stalker so he had firsthand knowledge of what this type of situation can do to a person.
The author is from Germany and he has written 8 novels, many of which, including this book, have been adapted for film, television and radio in Germany. “Fear” is the first to be translated into English. I’ll be keeping an eye out for any others that will be translated in the future for sure.
I don’t usually give thrillers 5 star reviews as I reserve 5 stars for books that really have a profound impact on me. But in a way I think the book did have a profound impact on me as I’m still thinking about it though I’m writing this review weeks after reading the book. This story showing how quickly our immediate world can become one that’s horribly distressful fills my thoughts throughout the days. If you’re looking for a thriller with psychological insight, I highly recommend this one.
This book was given to me by the publisher in return for an honest review.
Randolph Tiefenthaler grew up with a father who had an extensive gun collection. Not only were the guns loaded but Randolph’s father had a bit of a temper. Randolph always had a fear that one night his father would come upstairs and kill him and/or his brother. Randolph is an adult now with a wife and children when his father is arrested for murder. It all started when Randolph moved his family to a new building where Dieter Tiberius is living in the basement apartment. Dieter is an odd character who turns into a menacing one when he starts to stalk Randolph and his family and accuses the parents of sexually abusing their children.
This is an excellent psychological thriller with deep insight into family bonds and the fears implanted in us as children that we continue to live with throughout our adult life. I’ve seen other reviews saying the author lectures about issues but I thought the whole book was fascinating. I hung on every word and loved the buildup of suspense. No one seemed to be able to help this family – not their lawyer, not the police and not children’s services. At times I thought, just move away, but they hadn’t done anything wrong to lose their home, but since it involved children, I would have been out of there. Regardless, I was quite impressed by this author. Apparently, the book is loosely based on the author’s own experience with a stalker so he had firsthand knowledge of what this type of situation can do to a person.
The author is from Germany and he has written 8 novels, many of which, including this book, have been adapted for film, television and radio in Germany. “Fear” is the first to be translated into English. I’ll be keeping an eye out for any others that will be translated in the future for sure.
I don’t usually give thrillers 5 star reviews as I reserve 5 stars for books that really have a profound impact on me. But in a way I think the book did have a profound impact on me as I’m still thinking about it though I’m writing this review weeks after reading the book. This story showing how quickly our immediate world can become one that’s horribly distressful fills my thoughts throughout the days. If you’re looking for a thriller with psychological insight, I highly recommend this one.
This book was given to me by the publisher in return for an honest review.
November 20, 2017
This is not only a quick, fast-paced read, but it's one that gets under the skin of the reader as we are thrust into a complicated and multi-layered plot. I devoured this one in one sitting, not because it's rather short, but because I couldn't put it down. The first chapter is addicting and confusing enough to make you devour the pages and really open your mind up to these amazing and complicated characters and the devilish things they do.
FEAR doesn't hold back on the creep-factor as we witness enough acts and scenes that do not hold back on their wickedness and the scare tactics in this one are enough to chill you on the hottest summer day. Kurbjuweit not only builds characters that we grow to love and hate, but they are imperfect, honest, and grippingly real. The family in this one is one that you really feel for as you get an inside look into how this antagonist is an evil genius and really toys with the family and these scenes are chilling, terrifying, and will ensure the reader is constantly checking for the evils that lurk in the shadows.
This read is one I will definitely recommend to any crime fiction fan. Part domestic drama, part character study, and part brilliantly thrilling, I couldn't get enough and thoroughly enjoyed these characters that this plot all the way to the jaw-dropping finale that I never saw coming.
FEAR doesn't hold back on the creep-factor as we witness enough acts and scenes that do not hold back on their wickedness and the scare tactics in this one are enough to chill you on the hottest summer day. Kurbjuweit not only builds characters that we grow to love and hate, but they are imperfect, honest, and grippingly real. The family in this one is one that you really feel for as you get an inside look into how this antagonist is an evil genius and really toys with the family and these scenes are chilling, terrifying, and will ensure the reader is constantly checking for the evils that lurk in the shadows.
This read is one I will definitely recommend to any crime fiction fan. Part domestic drama, part character study, and part brilliantly thrilling, I couldn't get enough and thoroughly enjoyed these characters that this plot all the way to the jaw-dropping finale that I never saw coming.
March 26, 2017
A really quite terrifying stalker story - and the lengths you might go to if the law can't or won't help. Beautifully written and immersive. Full review nearer to July publication.
January 12, 2018
Book reviews on www.snazzybooks.com
This is a slow burning, atmospheric novel which I enjoyed but found a little too slow at times.
The writing itself is great; Dirk Kurbjuweit conjures up a real sense of unease around their neighbour, and the threat level is realistic enough that you can imagine it actually happening. At times the novel is really immersive and at those points I felt myself drawn into the story. Unfortunately, this didn't often last for long as the story switches between modern-day and the past, and I found the stories about Randolph's past to drag on a bit.
I was definitely expecting more of a tense, 'thriller' style story and Fear really isn't. I think this is more an issue around the marketing and synopsis; to me I definitely felt it made the book seem like it fits more into a thriller genre but in actual fact it is much more about narrator Randolph and his childhood/ adult life leading up to the event which takes place at the start of the book. I found some of the descriptions quite interesting but overall I just felt a bit frustrated because I wanted to get back to the here and now. There was a lot of info that I felt just didn't advance the story at all, or even provide any useful information in reading it, and so I found myself losing interest a bit.
The story is still fairly interesting, and some parts really intrigued me, but it just didn't hold my attention properly unfortunately.
Many thanks to the publisher, Orion, for providing a copy of this novel on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review.
This is a slow burning, atmospheric novel which I enjoyed but found a little too slow at times.
The writing itself is great; Dirk Kurbjuweit conjures up a real sense of unease around their neighbour, and the threat level is realistic enough that you can imagine it actually happening. At times the novel is really immersive and at those points I felt myself drawn into the story. Unfortunately, this didn't often last for long as the story switches between modern-day and the past, and I found the stories about Randolph's past to drag on a bit.
I was definitely expecting more of a tense, 'thriller' style story and Fear really isn't. I think this is more an issue around the marketing and synopsis; to me I definitely felt it made the book seem like it fits more into a thriller genre but in actual fact it is much more about narrator Randolph and his childhood/ adult life leading up to the event which takes place at the start of the book. I found some of the descriptions quite interesting but overall I just felt a bit frustrated because I wanted to get back to the here and now. There was a lot of info that I felt just didn't advance the story at all, or even provide any useful information in reading it, and so I found myself losing interest a bit.
The story is still fairly interesting, and some parts really intrigued me, but it just didn't hold my attention properly unfortunately.
Many thanks to the publisher, Orion, for providing a copy of this novel on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review.
April 24, 2019
Pripažįstu, kadangi ši knyga visai neseniai labai ilgai šmėžavo tai vienų, tai kitų blogerių tekstuose buvau susidariusi gan skeptišką nuomonę apie knygą. Lyg ir viršelis gražus (taip, esu vienas iš tų žmonių, kurių akis greičiau pritraukia knygos vizualizacija, nei noras antonacijos), lyg ir apžvalgos mėgstamų tinklaraštininkų nei per geri, nei per blogi. Tad nusprendžiau įsitikinti kaip čia taip yra su šia knyga.
Mano įvertinimas? Pritariu kitiems apžvalgininkams: nei per gerai, tačiau ir nei per blogai. Ir štai kodėl:
+ už puikų psichologinį trilerį. Jau seniai beskaičiau tokį gerą, įtemptą, turintį gilų psichologinį siužetą turintį kūrinį, kuris, negana to, dar labai greit įtraukė ir neapleido. Veikėjai turi daugiau ar mažiau Kamiu žmogaus bruožų, tad įdomu sekti kaip kinta jų mąstymas per kūrinį;
+ už pabaigą, kurios nesitikėsit. Arba bent jau aš nesitikėjau. Viskas, ką anksčiau maniausi žinanti apie kūrinį, veikėjus, jų socialinę aplinką buvo tiesiog idealiai paneigta vos viena eilute;
+ už temą, kuri yra gvildenama. Labai džiaugiuosi, kad autoriui pavyko puikiai pavaizduoti tą plonytę ribą, kuri skiria žmogaus asmeninį nuo socialinio gyvenimo ir kaip ne laiku ištarta frazė ar veiksmas gali svetimam žmogui sudaryti visiškai kitą įvaizdį apie jus;
-, nes tikėjausi baisiau. Taip, įtampa šiame kūrinyje buvo išlaikyta tobulai, tačiau vis norėjosi baisesnių scenų (duokit žmogui kraujo, gi), šokiruojančių faktų ar staigaus nutikimo vidury kasdienybės, o ne tai, ko žinai kartojimas iki paskutinių dviejų puslapių, kurie tiesiog, kaip minėjau, paneigia viską, ką manais žinąs;
-, nes iki pačios tobulybės - šiai knygai trūksta cinkelio, kuris tiesiog pavergtų skaitytoją, a.k.a. mane. Kažkaip skaitydama jau buvau įsitikinus, kad vertinsiu knygą taip, kaip ir įvertinau dabar ir širdis neleido duoti šiai knygai daugiau, nei trijų žvaigdučių.
Iš ties skaitant kilo mintis, jog knyga savuoju rašymo stiliumi, nuolatiniu persikėlimu į praeitį primena visai neseniai skaitytą „Mano kovą" (Tai aišku, kad Knausgard'o kūrinį aš čia. O apie ką Jūs, begėdžiai, pagalvojot? :D) - tik kad sutrumpintas variantas. Puikus, trumpas skaitinys psichologinių trilerių gerbėjams.
Mano įvertinimas? Pritariu kitiems apžvalgininkams: nei per gerai, tačiau ir nei per blogai. Ir štai kodėl:
+ už puikų psichologinį trilerį. Jau seniai beskaičiau tokį gerą, įtemptą, turintį gilų psichologinį siužetą turintį kūrinį, kuris, negana to, dar labai greit įtraukė ir neapleido. Veikėjai turi daugiau ar mažiau Kamiu žmogaus bruožų, tad įdomu sekti kaip kinta jų mąstymas per kūrinį;
+ už pabaigą, kurios nesitikėsit. Arba bent jau aš nesitikėjau. Viskas, ką anksčiau maniausi žinanti apie kūrinį, veikėjus, jų socialinę aplinką buvo tiesiog idealiai paneigta vos viena eilute;
+ už temą, kuri yra gvildenama. Labai džiaugiuosi, kad autoriui pavyko puikiai pavaizduoti tą plonytę ribą, kuri skiria žmogaus asmeninį nuo socialinio gyvenimo ir kaip ne laiku ištarta frazė ar veiksmas gali svetimam žmogui sudaryti visiškai kitą įvaizdį apie jus;
-, nes tikėjausi baisiau. Taip, įtampa šiame kūrinyje buvo išlaikyta tobulai, tačiau vis norėjosi baisesnių scenų (duokit žmogui kraujo, gi), šokiruojančių faktų ar staigaus nutikimo vidury kasdienybės, o ne tai, ko žinai kartojimas iki paskutinių dviejų puslapių, kurie tiesiog, kaip minėjau, paneigia viską, ką manais žinąs;
-, nes iki pačios tobulybės - šiai knygai trūksta cinkelio, kuris tiesiog pavergtų skaitytoją, a.k.a. mane. Kažkaip skaitydama jau buvau įsitikinus, kad vertinsiu knygą taip, kaip ir įvertinau dabar ir širdis neleido duoti šiai knygai daugiau, nei trijų žvaigdučių.
Iš ties skaitant kilo mintis, jog knyga savuoju rašymo stiliumi, nuolatiniu persikėlimu į praeitį primena visai neseniai skaitytą „Mano kovą" (Tai aišku, kad Knausgard'o kūrinį aš čia. O apie ką Jūs, begėdžiai, pagalvojot? :D) - tik kad sutrumpintas variantas. Puikus, trumpas skaitinys psichologinių trilerių gerbėjams.
June 26, 2018
After starting this book three times I finally started and finished on my third try, I don't know what it was about this book but I really struggled to find any interest in the first few chapters the first two times I tried to read it, yet the third time I finally managed to get to a point which I hadn't yet read and kept going from there, it was at times a little dull and tbh I have read many books recently which piqued my interest much more and that kept me wanting to read on and find out more about them. This on some scale was enough that I kept reading but not so much out of mystery, intrigue etc but because I wasn't not liking it either.
Although I managed to finish this book I wouldn't rate it that highly that I'd be recommending it to others.
Although I managed to finish this book I wouldn't rate it that highly that I'd be recommending it to others.
December 8, 2019
At first I thought I could hear rhythms, as if someone was tapping or filing, but over time I realised that I had become the victim of my own expectations – namely, that a prison must always be filled with the sounds of thwarted conversation or attempted flight.
Fear (originally published as Angst and translated from German), opens with Berlin architect, Randolph Tiefenthaler, visiting his aging father in prison, sentenced for the manslaughter of the tenant in the apartment below the family’s, a loner who became increasingly obsessed with Randolph’s wife, Rebecca and their two young children. It is the story of a man who acted too little, too late, in the face of a system that defends the weak, torn by his own guilt of inaction, growing up in the shadow of his own father who he feared, a collector of firearms.
Tiefenthaler is writing his memoirs, from his supposedly happy childhood, of quarrels with his brother, the death of his sister taken too soon by cancer, of childhood friends with whom he kept in touch.
This started well but then increasingly meandered, and I realised this was not a character I could emphasise with. Shallow. Self-centred. Going through the motions of a marriage he was inadvertently sabotaging, window-dressed as philosophical argument.
My fear of dictatorship is a fear of subjugation: the unscrupulous intelligent ones telling the dumb ones to beat me up because I like my freedom. Democracy on the other hand, is a form of government for people who can’t or won’t resort to physical violence ... that is why we established the rule of law and set the police to enforce it. Our problem is that we are good at developing a society that protects us, but not good at defending ourselves when it fails us.
Like many others, I had lost interest halfway through. DNF at 53%.
Fear (originally published as Angst and translated from German), opens with Berlin architect, Randolph Tiefenthaler, visiting his aging father in prison, sentenced for the manslaughter of the tenant in the apartment below the family’s, a loner who became increasingly obsessed with Randolph’s wife, Rebecca and their two young children. It is the story of a man who acted too little, too late, in the face of a system that defends the weak, torn by his own guilt of inaction, growing up in the shadow of his own father who he feared, a collector of firearms.
Tiefenthaler is writing his memoirs, from his supposedly happy childhood, of quarrels with his brother, the death of his sister taken too soon by cancer, of childhood friends with whom he kept in touch.
This started well but then increasingly meandered, and I realised this was not a character I could emphasise with. Shallow. Self-centred. Going through the motions of a marriage he was inadvertently sabotaging, window-dressed as philosophical argument.
My fear of dictatorship is a fear of subjugation: the unscrupulous intelligent ones telling the dumb ones to beat me up because I like my freedom. Democracy on the other hand, is a form of government for people who can’t or won’t resort to physical violence ... that is why we established the rule of law and set the police to enforce it. Our problem is that we are good at developing a society that protects us, but not good at defending ourselves when it fails us.
Like many others, I had lost interest halfway through. DNF at 53%.
March 28, 2019
DNF
Sadly this one wasn't for me I found the writing itself hard to get my head around and just couldn't get to grips with it.
I believe this is a translation so maybe that was the main issue here for me.
Had to give up as it just wasn't getting any better.
I received a review copy of "Fear" from Netgalley.
All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
Sadly this one wasn't for me I found the writing itself hard to get my head around and just couldn't get to grips with it.
I believe this is a translation so maybe that was the main issue here for me.
Had to give up as it just wasn't getting any better.
I received a review copy of "Fear" from Netgalley.
All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
August 19, 2021
Koks jausmas yra augti nesaugioje aplinkoje? O koks jausmas yra kai suaugę žmonės gyvena savo namuose ir jaučiasi įbauginti? Ir dieną, ir naktį. Ir kai bandydami užtikrinti tą saugumo jausmą vaikams, jaučiasi tarsi jų rankos būtų surištos, o net įvairios institucijos nepadeda kovoje. Nes niekas fiziškai nesužeistas. Nuolatinė įtampa netraktuojama kaip įstatymo pažeidimas.
Architektas Tyfentaleris gyvena gana ramų gyvenimą su savo žmona ir vaikais, kol neatsikrausto į naują namą, kur pusrusyje po jų butu gyvena keistokas senukas. Kaimynas vardu Tiberijus netrunka pradėti keistai elgtis – siunčia architekto žmonai meilės laiškus, nešti pyragus, maltis po langais ir slapta stebėti… Tyfentaleris pradeda jaustis nesaugiai savo paties namuose, o visai netrukus situacija pablogėja – kaimynas pradeda siuntinėti grasinančius laiškus, neva jie su žmona seksualiai tvirkina savo vaikus. Atrodytų normali šeima pradeda kovą – kreipiasi į visas įmanomas institucijas prašydami pagalbos… tačiau pagalbos iš niekur nesulaukia… o ir šeima turi labai nemažai problemų – vyras vengia žmonos, žmona isterikuoja…
Jau ne kartą esu kalbėjusi apie tai, jog tam tikros istorijos yra linkusios kartotis. Jei vaikystę praleidai apsuptas nesaugumo, tėvai tavęs nesuprato – itin tikėtina, kad vėliau gyvenime vėl atsidursi situacijose, kuomet abejosi viskuo ir visais. Bus tam pagrindas, ar jo nė nebus.
Šis romanas yra apie tai – apie baimę, kai augi namuose, o tavo tėvas kaupia ginklų kolekciją ir vaikus kone prievarta verčia eiti į šaudyklą ir mokytis šaudyti. Kai gyveni ramų gyvenimą, tačiau jį trikdo svetimas žmogus. Baimė, paranoja, moralė, žmogaus teisės, šeimos santykiai, įstatymų spragos, ir tiesiog ribos, kurias arba peržengi, arba ne. Visa tai yra šioje knygoje.
“Namai man buvo vieta, kur gali būti nušautas”
Pagrindinis knygos veikėjas man nuo pat pradžių neatrodė patikimas ar nuoširdus. Jis nebuvo empatiškas, nuolat gyrėsi, pasakojo apie savo skaudžias praeitis per tokią… net nežinau kaip įvardinti, ironijos prizmę, ir kartais viską patiekdamas net gana sarkastiškai. O kai žmogus kalba apie skaudžius ir sudėtingus dalykus nuolat ką pašiepdamas, juo patikėti darosi vis sunkiau.
Pasiėmusi šią knygą nemaniau, jog ji man sukels tiek minčių, kiek sukėlė. O tai man patiko. Netikėta pabaiga, nors… aš nenumaniau, o gal tik save įtikinėjau, kad yra kitaip.
Ir man ko gero labiausiai patikusi mintis visoje knygoje:
“Nebeklausinėjo: kas tau? Nieko. Toks atsakymas yra baisiausias iš visų, jį reikėtų uždrausti ir draudimą įštvirtinti vedybų sutartyje, nes toks atsakymas beveik niekada nebūna teisingas ir verčia kitus jaustis bejėgiškai.”
Knyga sunkaus kalibro. Trileris? Detektyvas? Šeimos drama? Gal, drįsčiau teigti – viskas viename. Patiks, kam patinka painesnės ir intelektualesnės istorijos.
Susitikime instagrame:
www.instagram.com/gretabrigita.lt
Visas apžvalgas rasite čia:
www.gretabrigita.lt
Architektas Tyfentaleris gyvena gana ramų gyvenimą su savo žmona ir vaikais, kol neatsikrausto į naują namą, kur pusrusyje po jų butu gyvena keistokas senukas. Kaimynas vardu Tiberijus netrunka pradėti keistai elgtis – siunčia architekto žmonai meilės laiškus, nešti pyragus, maltis po langais ir slapta stebėti… Tyfentaleris pradeda jaustis nesaugiai savo paties namuose, o visai netrukus situacija pablogėja – kaimynas pradeda siuntinėti grasinančius laiškus, neva jie su žmona seksualiai tvirkina savo vaikus. Atrodytų normali šeima pradeda kovą – kreipiasi į visas įmanomas institucijas prašydami pagalbos… tačiau pagalbos iš niekur nesulaukia… o ir šeima turi labai nemažai problemų – vyras vengia žmonos, žmona isterikuoja…
Jau ne kartą esu kalbėjusi apie tai, jog tam tikros istorijos yra linkusios kartotis. Jei vaikystę praleidai apsuptas nesaugumo, tėvai tavęs nesuprato – itin tikėtina, kad vėliau gyvenime vėl atsidursi situacijose, kuomet abejosi viskuo ir visais. Bus tam pagrindas, ar jo nė nebus.
Šis romanas yra apie tai – apie baimę, kai augi namuose, o tavo tėvas kaupia ginklų kolekciją ir vaikus kone prievarta verčia eiti į šaudyklą ir mokytis šaudyti. Kai gyveni ramų gyvenimą, tačiau jį trikdo svetimas žmogus. Baimė, paranoja, moralė, žmogaus teisės, šeimos santykiai, įstatymų spragos, ir tiesiog ribos, kurias arba peržengi, arba ne. Visa tai yra šioje knygoje.
“Namai man buvo vieta, kur gali būti nušautas”
Pagrindinis knygos veikėjas man nuo pat pradžių neatrodė patikimas ar nuoširdus. Jis nebuvo empatiškas, nuolat gyrėsi, pasakojo apie savo skaudžias praeitis per tokią… net nežinau kaip įvardinti, ironijos prizmę, ir kartais viską patiekdamas net gana sarkastiškai. O kai žmogus kalba apie skaudžius ir sudėtingus dalykus nuolat ką pašiepdamas, juo patikėti darosi vis sunkiau.
Pasiėmusi šią knygą nemaniau, jog ji man sukels tiek minčių, kiek sukėlė. O tai man patiko. Netikėta pabaiga, nors… aš nenumaniau, o gal tik save įtikinėjau, kad yra kitaip.
Ir man ko gero labiausiai patikusi mintis visoje knygoje:
“Nebeklausinėjo: kas tau? Nieko. Toks atsakymas yra baisiausias iš visų, jį reikėtų uždrausti ir draudimą įštvirtinti vedybų sutartyje, nes toks atsakymas beveik niekada nebūna teisingas ir verčia kitus jaustis bejėgiškai.”
Knyga sunkaus kalibro. Trileris? Detektyvas? Šeimos drama? Gal, drįsčiau teigti – viskas viename. Patiks, kam patinka painesnės ir intelektualesnės istorijos.
Susitikime instagrame:
www.instagram.com/gretabrigita.lt
Visas apžvalgas rasite čia:
www.gretabrigita.lt
Read
April 1, 2018DNF @ 47%
Agghh, I'm so disappointed I had to put this book down as a DNF, but as I'm finding it exceedingly hard to focus on books, I really can't waste any of my time on books that aren't hooking me, and this one wasn't!
I had huge hopes for this book, featuring it in various blogs at the end of last year! I really thought this one was going to be a fast-paced thriller that would challenge our morals and opinions, but no. It wasn't like that at all.
This one started quite strong, jumping straight into the murder (not a spoiler, literally in the first chapter), so I thought this might be one of those stories that was told backwards (like Memento), but it wasn't like that at all. After the initial excitement, this story slowed down straightaway. It flits between going back in time and the present day, which is normally not an issue with me, if something happens.
This book was so slow and just a commentary on a boring, uppity middle class man. There really wasn't much focus on the "stalking" at all. In fact it felt like that part of the story lasted 3 seconds and then we were stuck reading about the narrator's weird, paranoid dad and his loveless marriage.
I like character studies usually, but this one didn't interest me. I got a fair way through this, so I think I gave it a good chance, but I couldn't pull myself through it.
Thanks to Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review. Sorry I didn't like it!
Agghh, I'm so disappointed I had to put this book down as a DNF, but as I'm finding it exceedingly hard to focus on books, I really can't waste any of my time on books that aren't hooking me, and this one wasn't!
I had huge hopes for this book, featuring it in various blogs at the end of last year! I really thought this one was going to be a fast-paced thriller that would challenge our morals and opinions, but no. It wasn't like that at all.
This one started quite strong, jumping straight into the murder (not a spoiler, literally in the first chapter), so I thought this might be one of those stories that was told backwards (like Memento), but it wasn't like that at all. After the initial excitement, this story slowed down straightaway. It flits between going back in time and the present day, which is normally not an issue with me, if something happens.
This book was so slow and just a commentary on a boring, uppity middle class man. There really wasn't much focus on the "stalking" at all. In fact it felt like that part of the story lasted 3 seconds and then we were stuck reading about the narrator's weird, paranoid dad and his loveless marriage.
I like character studies usually, but this one didn't interest me. I got a fair way through this, so I think I gave it a good chance, but I couldn't pull myself through it.
Thanks to Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review. Sorry I didn't like it!
June 7, 2018
Ši vokiečių rašytojo knyga ne juokais mane supykdė ir labai erzino iki pat knygos galo. Jau net labai laukiau jos pabaigos, kad skaičiau su tokiu pykčiu, kad nemoku net apsakyti. Bandžiau gilintis net į psichologinius dalykus, bet ir tai ši knyga manęs taip nepaveikė, kad galėčiau jai skirti patį aukščiausią įvertinimą. Net pikta darėsi kaip vyras nieko nedaro, kad išgelbėtų savo šeimą nuo kaimyno, kuris turi problemų? Kaip jis negali pamiršti savo vaikiškas baimes, kurios jį persekioja net būnant suaugusįjį? Kodėl jis nemato, kad kaimynui reikia profesionalios gydytojų pagalbos? Ir kaip jis pagaliau drįsta padaręs nusikaltimą, leisti savo tėvui prisiimti kaltę? Galėčiau savaip viską interpretuoti ir bandyti aiškinti, bet su šia knyga taip nebus, nes man ji per silpna savo turiniu, savo įžvalgomis ir tai, kas norėta pasakyti. Būsiu atvira sakydama, kad tikrai supratau knygos esmę ir jos turinį, bet ši knyga manęs neįtikino ir leido tik suprasti, kad vokiečių rašytojams dar reikia labai pasistengti norint parašyti kūrinį, apie kurį aš galėčiau kalbėti dar labai ilgai ir kurį galėčiau rekomenduoti kitiems skaitytojams.
May 28, 2018
Ups... Būna ir geriau, būna ir baisiau. Taip, savotiškai užčiuopiamos socialinės temos, tokios kaip demokratija, teisinė valstybė, buurgerišjumas bei socialinė nelygybė ir šeimos krizė, tačiau nei tos smegenis “raunančios” įtampos, nei šiurpą keliančių nerimo ar baimės apraiškų, kurios gintų per puslapius, nėra. Žinoma, nelygu, prie kokių baimių esi pats pripratęs. Tačiau, galima sakyti, jog visgi įdomu, nes įgalina stebėti savo reakcijas, savo požiūrį. Verčia susimąstyti, o kur yra tavo riba ir kada tu galėtum peržengti?
April 1, 2018
I broke my rule for this novel, of not reading books that have a promotional subtitle in bold as if it were the title itself, The gripping thriller that has everyone talking . To start with, it’s not a thriller, and also, that inaccurate description is destined to get the book negative reviews, because it’s more of a character study. From the first pages the reader knows what crime has happened. It’s a story told backwards. Kurbjuweit builds up tension, but there isn’t much action. The writing follows a predictability until late on when there is a subtle twist. It fits the ‘domestic crime’ category which seems very popular at present, playing to the fear of the home not being a safe place.
Despite that twist this is nothing special, an interesting read which is slow at times, especially when recounting the backstory.
Despite that twist this is nothing special, an interesting read which is slow at times, especially when recounting the backstory.
May 22, 2017
Must say this started off with quite a lot of promise. It had me hooked but then I felt that it kind of fizzled out. I never really became very invested in the main characters nor did they really earn my empathy. I think the climax in this novel was quite a subtle one. And the main point of the book was how fear can cause us to act irrationally and with hysteria. Over all an okay read but one that is easily forgettable. I just wonder if some of the nuances that would have perhaps made it a more exciting read were lost in the translation.
August 6, 2017
‘Fear shifts our moral codes. It makes us sympathetic to violent revenge, accessories to murder. Do we want the victim to survive? No, we don’t. Long after I had put this book down I still didn’t. A great achievement.’
Herman Koch
‘Dirk Kurbjuweit exposes the evil lurking just below the surface of civilised life.’
Stern
‘A subtle and engrossing psychological thriller that gives an intelligent, carefully considered response to thequestion of how much our liberal values are worth when we feel our lives are threatened.’
Brigitte
‘High-voltage and multi-layered.’
Frankfurter Neue Presse
‘Fear forces us to see just how thin the delicate veneer of civilisation really is, and thus confirms it: any one of us can become a murderer.’
Der Tagesspiegel
‘Gripping, suspenseful and unbelievably dark…As a thriller, Fear more than holds its own against the competition. It reminds one of Dutch author Herman Koch’s bestselling novels, and not only because of the moral question—How far will you go to protect your family?—at the heart of the story.’
Welt
‘Flawlessly translated from German by Imogen Taylor…a gripping and thought-provoking read.’
BookMooch
‘This is a murder story, a psychological thriller, and something more.’
ArtsHub
‘Fear is a smart, psychologically complex and morally acute fable of modern German society decked out in the garb of an intricate thriller…This is a wry, complex, at times disturbing survey of middle-class German life in the decades since the end of World War II.’
Sydney Morning Herald
‘This psychologically acute novel examines the stresses parents feel when family members are under serious threat. Some readers might even cheer Randolph’s dad.’
New Zealand Listener
‘Kurbjuweit delivers an urban thriller and ethical minefield…[He] effectively builds the tension, while throwing barbs at classist attitudes that might be fuelling some of Randolph’s reactions. Though he never comes out and asks the question, this definitely will have readers thinking about the lengths they might go to in a similar situation.’
Pile by the Bed
‘An indelible examination of middle-class values, relationships, masculinity, identity, violence, history and fear that comes full circle to a conclusion as shocking as it is logical. A finely crafted and disturbing psychological thriller.’
Newtown Review of Books
‘An effective thriller…Though he never comes out and asks the question, this definitely will have the readers thinking about the lengths they might go to in a similar situation. And facing the realisation that no matter how strange Randolph’s upbringing that their reaction (if not their ultimate response) might be exactly the same.’
PS News
‘A compelling tale of perception and threat that reveals dark thoughts and a ripper twist.’
Townsville Eye
‘An exploration of maleness, beliefs and aggression.’
Otago Daily Times
‘I loved it. Such great writing, evoking a domestic landscape as creepy as the man in the basement downstairs. Cool in every sense of the word. Dirk conjures up such unsettling images - the woman at home trotting around in her Gucci high-heels with a husband who can't bear the sound of her voice - the scenes of Randolph eating alone in fancy restaurants—all so rich and claustrophobic—an unsettling tale of merciless self-scrutiny. Loved its honesty.’
Renee Knight
‘Its layers of paranoia and memories are brilliantly done to play on every parents' deepest fears—including mine’
Fiona Barton
‘A sophisticated psychological thriller.’
SA Weekend
Herman Koch
‘Dirk Kurbjuweit exposes the evil lurking just below the surface of civilised life.’
Stern
‘A subtle and engrossing psychological thriller that gives an intelligent, carefully considered response to thequestion of how much our liberal values are worth when we feel our lives are threatened.’
Brigitte
‘High-voltage and multi-layered.’
Frankfurter Neue Presse
‘Fear forces us to see just how thin the delicate veneer of civilisation really is, and thus confirms it: any one of us can become a murderer.’
Der Tagesspiegel
‘Gripping, suspenseful and unbelievably dark…As a thriller, Fear more than holds its own against the competition. It reminds one of Dutch author Herman Koch’s bestselling novels, and not only because of the moral question—How far will you go to protect your family?—at the heart of the story.’
Welt
‘Flawlessly translated from German by Imogen Taylor…a gripping and thought-provoking read.’
BookMooch
‘This is a murder story, a psychological thriller, and something more.’
ArtsHub
‘Fear is a smart, psychologically complex and morally acute fable of modern German society decked out in the garb of an intricate thriller…This is a wry, complex, at times disturbing survey of middle-class German life in the decades since the end of World War II.’
Sydney Morning Herald
‘This psychologically acute novel examines the stresses parents feel when family members are under serious threat. Some readers might even cheer Randolph’s dad.’
New Zealand Listener
‘Kurbjuweit delivers an urban thriller and ethical minefield…[He] effectively builds the tension, while throwing barbs at classist attitudes that might be fuelling some of Randolph’s reactions. Though he never comes out and asks the question, this definitely will have readers thinking about the lengths they might go to in a similar situation.’
Pile by the Bed
‘An indelible examination of middle-class values, relationships, masculinity, identity, violence, history and fear that comes full circle to a conclusion as shocking as it is logical. A finely crafted and disturbing psychological thriller.’
Newtown Review of Books
‘An effective thriller…Though he never comes out and asks the question, this definitely will have the readers thinking about the lengths they might go to in a similar situation. And facing the realisation that no matter how strange Randolph’s upbringing that their reaction (if not their ultimate response) might be exactly the same.’
PS News
‘A compelling tale of perception and threat that reveals dark thoughts and a ripper twist.’
Townsville Eye
‘An exploration of maleness, beliefs and aggression.’
Otago Daily Times
‘I loved it. Such great writing, evoking a domestic landscape as creepy as the man in the basement downstairs. Cool in every sense of the word. Dirk conjures up such unsettling images - the woman at home trotting around in her Gucci high-heels with a husband who can't bear the sound of her voice - the scenes of Randolph eating alone in fancy restaurants—all so rich and claustrophobic—an unsettling tale of merciless self-scrutiny. Loved its honesty.’
Renee Knight
‘Its layers of paranoia and memories are brilliantly done to play on every parents' deepest fears—including mine’
Fiona Barton
‘A sophisticated psychological thriller.’
SA Weekend
June 5, 2017
Fear is written by German Author Dirk Kurbjuweit and is loosely based on his own personal experience of being stalked by a neighbour, which makes this story all the more chilling. The protagonist Randolph narrates the entire story beginning with the fact his elderly father has just shot and killed Randolph’s neighbour.
“Fear” then takes us on a journey through Randolph’s childhood and strained relationship with his father throughout his life, often over examining his memories and recollections and making the reader question Randolph’s version of his childhood. Fear has been translated into English and therefore the language and prose makes the reader work that little bit harder, but nevertheless this is a chilling and terrifying account of being stalked in your own home and trying to protect your wife and young family when the authorities can’t help.
An uncomfortable, claustrophobic story that will send shivers down your spine and make you think how far you would go to protect the ones you love.
“Fear” then takes us on a journey through Randolph’s childhood and strained relationship with his father throughout his life, often over examining his memories and recollections and making the reader question Randolph’s version of his childhood. Fear has been translated into English and therefore the language and prose makes the reader work that little bit harder, but nevertheless this is a chilling and terrifying account of being stalked in your own home and trying to protect your wife and young family when the authorities can’t help.
An uncomfortable, claustrophobic story that will send shivers down your spine and make you think how far you would go to protect the ones you love.
July 16, 2017
What an interesting & different style book! Based loosely on something that happened to the author it tells the tale of a unique family dynamic & childhood. But it also tells a creepy story of a sadistic neighbor. I literally had a gasp moment at one point & thoroughly enjoyed this read!
Thanks to Orion books for a very early copy from across the pond in exchange for review.
Thanks to Orion books for a very early copy from across the pond in exchange for review.
October 30, 2023
Baimė žmogų gali įvaryti į kampą. Kai tampa niekas nebesvarbu: moralė, principai, net ir teisybė. Tiki tik tuo kas tau atrodo tikra, nors viskas gali būti tik iliuzija. Kelio atgal tikrai nebus.
"Visada gyvename bent du gyvenimus, priklausančius nuo mūsų didžiųjų pasirinkimų: gyvenimą, kurį pasirinkome, ir gyvenimą, kurio nepasirinkome. Jį nuolat apmąstome, lyginame su realia būtimi. Man tai gyvenimas, kuriame pavyko neskausmingai išprašyti iš namų poną Tiberijų. Jis gyvena uždaro tipo įstaigoje ir niekaip negali mums pakenkti. Su tėvu retsykiais einame gerti kavos, nes susitaikėme ir be žmogžudystės. Mums visiems klojasi gerai."
"Dabar pykau ant jo, pykau, kad įpainiojo mane į šį reikalą, bet jau po poros žingsnių suvokiau, jog tai aš jį įpainiojau, jog tai jis pakluso mano planui, išskyrus tai, kad nenorėjo šauti, tik sutiko būti tuo, kuris laikomas šovusiu. Jo teisė "
"Visada gyvename bent du gyvenimus, priklausančius nuo mūsų didžiųjų pasirinkimų: gyvenimą, kurį pasirinkome, ir gyvenimą, kurio nepasirinkome. Jį nuolat apmąstome, lyginame su realia būtimi. Man tai gyvenimas, kuriame pavyko neskausmingai išprašyti iš namų poną Tiberijų. Jis gyvena uždaro tipo įstaigoje ir niekaip negali mums pakenkti. Su tėvu retsykiais einame gerti kavos, nes susitaikėme ir be žmogžudystės. Mums visiems klojasi gerai."
"Dabar pykau ant jo, pykau, kad įpainiojo mane į šį reikalą, bet jau po poros žingsnių suvokiau, jog tai aš jį įpainiojau, jog tai jis pakluso mano planui, išskyrus tai, kad nenorėjo šauti, tik sutiko būti tuo, kuris laikomas šovusiu. Jo teisė "
December 11, 2025
Waffen sind für kleine Kinder nicht.
July 16, 2022
This book was such a letdown.
I was expecting a creepy story, where I wouldn't feel safe even in my own room while reading it. My expectations were however not only unfulfilled, but also I felt deeply disappointed.
There were extremely long parts, where the main character was thinking about his childhood and growing up, but it all felt too boring and unnecessary. It could have had a key meaning, but the whole story was not approached well, in my opinion.
On the other hand, when the parts with the neighbor finally came, the author reduced it to just a few pages, which means, that he did not have time to build some tension, fear or to portray the character's thoughts and feelings.
The main character was also extremely annoying and unlovable.
I didn't like the author's writing style, I found myself being lost in the long sentences quite often. I was also losing sense of the timeline of the story, because it was one long text without being divided into chapters.
The ending lacks some real plot twists, it was not schocking, nor disturbing. I feel so sad writing this review, because there is honestly nothing good I can say about this book and I had to force myself to continue in reading. This story had such a huge potential, but it was all wasted and not written well, in my opinion.
I was expecting a creepy story, where I wouldn't feel safe even in my own room while reading it. My expectations were however not only unfulfilled, but also I felt deeply disappointed.
There were extremely long parts, where the main character was thinking about his childhood and growing up, but it all felt too boring and unnecessary. It could have had a key meaning, but the whole story was not approached well, in my opinion.
On the other hand, when the parts with the neighbor finally came, the author reduced it to just a few pages, which means, that he did not have time to build some tension, fear or to portray the character's thoughts and feelings.
The main character was also extremely annoying and unlovable.
I didn't like the author's writing style, I found myself being lost in the long sentences quite often. I was also losing sense of the timeline of the story, because it was one long text without being divided into chapters.
The ending lacks some real plot twists, it was not schocking, nor disturbing. I feel so sad writing this review, because there is honestly nothing good I can say about this book and I had to force myself to continue in reading. This story had such a huge potential, but it was all wasted and not written well, in my opinion.
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