The Interview

by Renaud Contini

R. spends his days working for an international human rights organisation which offers him little besides ennui and angst. The tedium of the routine drains him of the resources he would need to become a writer, while the facelessness of the cold, wealthy city provides little nourishment to his hyperactive imagination. Various people had predicted a great future for him, yet as things stand, R.'s horizon seems stubbornly stuck in the permanent present. Then, one day in the late fall, R. learns that he has been invited to a job interview. His entire world is turned upside down; everyday activities become filled with meaning once again. R. burns with the desire to inform his family and friends, discovers a new form of intimacy with the city's people, and even contemplates the prospect of true love. Only one thing is stopping he doesn't want to tempt fate. As the date of the interview inches closer and closer, R. becomes increasingly more protective of the details of the new position. And as the city slowly turns from glacial coldness to an atmosphere of constant threat, he begins to encounter some very strange people.

162 pages, Paperback

Published October 23, 2020

Reviews

[Taavi Mandel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Interview by Renaud Contini was a pleasure to read. The writing style aimed to capture minute details of the interplay and conflict between (private) thought and (public) action. These occasional internal contradictions were dissected in a succinct yet nuanced manner, triggering numerous reactions in the reader that empathised with such humanly imperfections. Many decisions about what the author chose to describe and emphasise were quite clever, artful, and beautiful; that I really appreciated as a reader.

It occasionally felt as if the author was playing with the reader without making it obvious to what extent and when the protagonist's experiences were real or imagined, providing an additional layer of intrigue. Depending on the reader's perspective, there seems to be a range of possible interpretations. The author grasped and held the reader's full attention thoughout, and carefully balanced feelings of intensity and excitement, including a clear culmination. He kept the reader curious about what will happen next, and how any peculiar situations and the story will play out.

Altogether, I really enjoyed it!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I was reading this, I wondered how I would explain to other people what it was about. I decided I would have to say, "I won't know what this is until I've finished it." That turned out to be more true even than I expected. The ending revealed patterns that were in play, but hidden, throughout the book.

In depth study of character and psychology. Plays with your mind. Nice work.