Netherland by Joseph O’Neill

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book felt like a really long poem rather than a novel. I say this because the prose is so beautiful it really borders on poetry. The story, though, is almost negligible. We’re told what happens from the beginning: Chuck dies. The rest of it is a drawn-out exploration of Hans’ psyche as he wanders, ghost-like, through his NY life, his semi-divorce, and his friendship with Chuck.

Hans is a weak character, even as he narrates with wisdom that seems naive and deep at the same time. He doesn’t change, evolve, or confront conflicts head-on. He doesn’t take charge (well he tries, but the results were awkward, to say the least.) Basically, he spends his time bouncing off of Chuck, and the insides of his skull.

I found myself getting impatient several times throughout this book with Hans’ self-absorbed rambliness, even as I was completely mesmerized by how spot-on, for instance, his description of the feeling of being in Times Square was. I think this would be a fun book for New Yorkers to read, as it goes into detail about many of the sights, sounds, and places in and around the city. There are also little nuggets of philosophical circumspection sprinkled throughout, any one of which could ignite a great afternoon of pondering on the reader’s behalf. My problem with this book, however, is that none were really explored in depth; they’re fleeting brain snacks. Too bad, because some were tasty.

For what it’s worth, this book represents the state of loneliness quite well. But I can only relate on a very general level, and somehow not completely. This is the kind of book that looks for a soul mate in its reader; I’m not the kind of soul mate for this book, so I only gave it three stars, but for the right kind of person, it could be life-changing.

Recommendation? If you are not in a position to empathize, just read it for the joyful experience for reveling in beautiful prose, not for the action-packed adventures throughout and soul-shattering revelation at the end.

Lastly, I don’t seen the connection to 9/11. It seems circumstantial at best…

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