Synopsis:
"It's a summer's evening in Amsterdam, and two couples meet at a fashionable restaurant for dinner. Between mouthfuls of food and over the scrapings of cutlery, the conversation remains a gentle hum of polite discourse. But behind the empty words, terrible things need to be said, and with every forced smile and every new course, the knives are being sharpened.
Each couple has a fifteen-year-old son. The two boys are united by their accountability for a single horrific act; an act that has triggered a police investigation and shattered the comfortable, insulated worlds of their families. As the dinner reaches its culinary climax, the conversation finally touches on their children. As civility and friendship disintegrate, each couple show just how far they are prepared to go to protect those they love.
Skewering everything from parenting values to pretentious menus to political convictions, this novel reveals the dark side of genteel society and asks what each of us would do in the face of unimaginable tragedy."

From the Amazon page of the book, more about the author:
Herman Koch (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈɦɛrmɑn kɔx]; born 5 September 1953) is a Dutch writer and actor. He has written short stories, novels, and columns. His best-selling novel The Dinner (2009) has been translated into 21 languages. He has acted for radio, television, and film. He co-created the long-running TV series Jiskefet (1990–2005).

Congratulations on winning the Home Sweet Home-sweepstakes!!

I hope you enjoy the second book I picked for you, a more modern writer. This book will be turned into a movie / has been made into a movie as well.

Thank you for sending me the two books they arrived a few days ago :) and the labels arrived safely today in soggy Cornwall

I thought that this was a very interesting book with a very gripping and tense story and plot. I enjoyed reading the whole thing and i hope the person whom recives it next will also like it

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

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Thank you so much for my birthday book :)

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, as I'd never heard of it or the author. But the premise was interesting and a bit different.

And to start with, it loved up to that premise. There is so much tension between and within the two couples, and I found myself racing through to find out exactly what had happened. Yes, the 'crime' is a horrible one and takes your breath away.

After that revelation, I kind of felt that the story went flat a bit. We become a little lost in flashbacks and vague reminisces by the main character, and to be honest, started to lose faith in what he was reporting.

The ending is also a bit weird - I mean, it's drastic, but I'm sure it would mean that the story would get out even quicker!

So, overall, a good read, but not one I would want to read again.

Sent to a fellow bookcrosser as a surprise wishlist RABCK - hope you enjoy it.

Arrived today. Thank you very much.