Europe through literature discussion

The last title of classic literature that we are going to read in 2023 is The Judge and His Hangman by Swiss author Friedrich Dürrenmatt.

Apart from Besarta, Carol, Marie and me, who voted for this title, everybody else is of course invited to also share their thoughts!

What made you vote for this novel? What are your thoughts about this novel? The presentation of the character(s)? Would you recommend this title and if yes to what kind of reader and why? If not, why not?

Happy reading!

I've ordered a copy from my library, should receive it later this week.

My library has a copy of the book so will join in the reading.

I have a copy from the time I was in middle grade :-))) so for me, it will be a re-read.

I finished the book today, it was a quick but also good re-read. Apart from the atmosphere created for the crime story (the weather in the story corresponds to the actual weather right now :-)), I also liked the underlying criticism of Swiss society as well as the philosophical questions discussed by Barlach and Gastmann. I am tempted to re-read the second installment Suspicion as well :-))...

It's a very quick read and I definitely liked the atmosphere. I don't know enough about Swiss society to fully appreciate the social criticism, but Barlach is an interesting character. I'll try and get a copy of Suspicion to read later.

Carolien wrote: "It's a very quick read and I definitely liked the atmosphere. I don't know enough about Swiss society to fully appreciate the social criticism, but Barlach is an interesting character. I'll try and..."

I’m not finished, but I agree that it is an easy read that moves along quickly. I like that it is subtle, hints dropped gently.

This author is amazing. Though framed as a boiler plate detective and plots, each story is much weightier than that. Quite an experience to read his works.

Jax wrote: "This author is amazing. Though framed as a boiler plate detective and plots, each story is much weightier than that. Quite an experience to read his works."

I am glad you like his novels! I can also recommend his plays
The Physicists and The Visit: A Tragi-Comedy.

Orgeluse wrote: "Jax wrote: "This author is amazing. Though framed as a boiler plate detective and plots, each story is much weightier than that. Quite an experience to read his works."

I am glad you like his nove..."
Great! Thanks for the recommendation.

It was a quick read indeed. I enjoyed how Durrenmatt put the crime fiction genre on its head by making the detective behave in a morally dubious manner.

Valerie wrote: "It was a quick read indeed. I enjoyed how Durrenmatt put the crime fiction genre on its head by making the detective behave in a morally dubious manner."

This is also what I like about the novel.