What did I just read? This book starts out quite strongly and then every time you think you might be getting somewhere Koch takes us on a rabbit trail that has no connection to the storyline. The reader is left in the dark even after the last page is turned.

This is the third book of Koch's that I have read, and unfortunately, not my favorite... Koch particularly excels with his characters, but I never felt very connected to our narrator here - "Robert" the alias used for the mayor of Amsterdam. The mayor uses aliases for everyone in his life in his narration of this interesting and rather dark story. The majority of the novel surrounds the mayor's suspicions that his wife is having an affair with another city politician. But, the book includes many tangents on other topics from odd false confessions, life after death, suicides, rabbits and way too much on windmills (but, interestingly, not much about how many birds are killed each year by these new modern ones). The plot meanders as well and then concludes without real answers to anything, really... there are some points that go completely underdressed and others that seem to be vaguely handled in a very heavy-handed read-between-the-lines approach that frustrates more than fulfills.

As with any piece of translated fiction, I always wonder if my dissatisfaction comes more from the story itself or the translation. But, in this case, I wondered if it had more to do with not being Dutch and being more familiar with Amsterdam. The attitude towards foreigners in particular is something that I am sure would mean more to native readers and be able to infer more easily the home country of his wife that the mayor aims to protect. I felt like throughout the book, I kept waiting for something more to happen or some action to tie things more together, but this just wasn't the case here.

However, it did keep my attention all the way through until the end, and I do think that this will certainly be a discussion-starter of a book. I think that had there been more clarity in the conclusion, I would have liked the whole thing more - but I think that as it stands, it definitely makes you want to discuss it with other readers. I just wish that that some major points hadn't gone so unaddressed by the end... It just wasn't a satisfying read for me. But, I am still curious to see what this talented writer will create next.

Robert Walker (though that’s not his real name) is the Mayor of Amsterdam. He’s been happily married for many years to Sylvia (thought that’s not her real name). At a New Year’s Eve party, Robert sees his wife talking to one of his aldermen, laughing at a joke, and despite the fact that he has absolutely no grounds for his suspicions, he’s sure they’re having an affair. And off he goes on a paranoid journey that may cost him more than he thinks. Or maybe not.

What a fun, thought provoking book this was! I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Koch’s wit and humor in this one, even more so than in his previous books which I also enjoyed. I thought it was all very clever and engaging. Despite its humor, it also touches on some serious issues, including what is apparently the Netherlands’ loose idea on euthanasia of the elderly. That part of the book gave me chills rather than tickling my funny bone. But even how that all ended up left me chuckling. Herman Koch’s words expertly crawl into your mind to mess with it. And oh that ending! It left me with more questions than I started out with but I thought it was perfect for such a mind altering experience as this book was. I’m not normally a fan of satire but I do like the way that Herman Koch serves it up.

Recommended.

The Ditch is a book about a man who has reached a midlife crisis and how it affects everyone involved. At a function, the Mayor of Amsterdam Robert Walter saw his wife having a lovely time with one of the guests. This event started Robert Walter to think is he going to lose his wife to another man. The readers of The Ditch will continue to follow Robert Walter to find out what happens.

The Ditch is the first book I have read of Herman Koch and it not in the genre that I usually read. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable The Ditch was too read. I love the way Herman Koch portrayed his characters and intertwine then throughout The Ditch. I like the way Herman Koch describes his setting and the plot in a way that I became engaged with the book from the beginning. The Ditch is well written and researched by Herman Koch.

The readers of The Ditch will learn about the problems people have who suffer from paranoia and suspicions of others. Also, the readers will learn about the role of Mayor in a large city.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Crown publishing for my ARC copy of this book. I recommend this book.

I didn’t want it to be this way…..

Oh dear, Mr. Koch, I thought you could do no wrong. Yeah, you talk a good game. I mean, I could listen to you all day, the way you put your sentences together. You have the obsessed, creepy guy down pat; whether he’s a bona fide psycho, a wannabe psycho, or a garden-variety neurotic. You know how to dig deep into main characters and how to create fascinating unreliable narrators. And your sensibilities, your dark view of human nature, the way you analyze every little thing in the funniest way—all irresistible! It’s just that this novel is a mess. Did I just say that?

Yes, sadly, I have to pull out my Complaint Board:

-Okay, let’s talk about the plot. The book starts off like a firecracker, intense as all get-out. As with your other books, I got pulled into a warped mind right away. The main character is the mayor of Amsterdam, and his psyche is a fun place to be. He’s an obsessive, paranoid guy who is convinced his wife is cheating on him. The fantasies he creates are a riot: all dramatic and worse-case scenarios. I was revved up, expecting to watch the star get crazier and crazier, but Mr. Koch, it’s like you completely forgot your train of thought! The intensity fizzled, and suddenly the mayor is talking about…..windmills? Really? There’s another story about the mayor’s old parents, and it’s good, but it doesn’t have anything to do the main plot—or what I thought was the main plot. I kept trying to keep my eye on the ball, but the ball was a moving target. And let’s not even talk about cohesion—there was zilch.

-Side trips all over the place. Okay, first, the windmills. They get entirely too much air space. You go on and on and on, discussing the politics behind them. Gag me with a spoon! Did you forget you were writing a novel? Oh, and the mayor has a friend, and they discuss the universe—quite a bit. Throw in chats about fascism, the environment, and architecture, and the yawns multiply. Each of these side trips would have worked fine as a non-fiction essay. I wanted them gone from this novel. I wanted tangy juice, not dense loaves of bread.

-Huh? Please explain! A couple of things happened at the end (nothing had been happening before then, which bugged me). But unfortunately, I couldn’t understand the motivations and I couldn’t even be sure that I “got” what the events were. At all. Yes, of course I reread, but I just didn’t get it. Nothing worse than not understanding what the hell just happened! So the ending wasn’t just weak, it was incomprehensible. Maybe smarter readers could make sense of it; for this bonehead, it was a mess. What a bad way to end a book that I already didn’t like.

So, so disappointing. I loved your first three books, Mr. Koch, so expectations were high. The Dinner was an all-time favorite, in fact. I’ll check out your next book, but with a little trepidation, I must admit.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.

I did not like The Dinner, so I wanted to read a second book from Herman Koch and see if it was perhaps the story and not the author. It’s the author! The Ditch was not for me either. I do not like to review books poorly unless I can point at one specific thing and say “this right here is what I do not like” so I will leave it for another reader.

At a New Years Eve work celebration gathering, ( which took place in the middle of the month of January), Robert Walter, the major of Amsterdam see’s his wife, Sylvia ( not her real name due to privacy concerns)....talking with
Alderman Maarten van Hoogstraten.
Robert and Sylvia have one daughter named Diana ( not her real name either- more privacy issues).

Robert is paranoid - obsessed - suspicious.....
he suspects his wife is having an affair.
“At the very moment my wife tossed back her head and laughed; the alderman had his hand on her elbow and was whispering something in her ear”.

“Now Sylvia looked around, her gaze sweeping the crowd. Was she looking for me? Or was she only making sure that no one was watching her and the alderman?”

Robert edges his way through the crowd to Maarten and Sylvia looking closely at his wife’s face for any indication that he might have interrupted their cozy little tete-a-tete.

Later that same night, Robert played back the scene at least 10 times in his mind while in bed.
Robert was obsessed- maybe ‘possessed’... ha... with chronic mistrustful thinking.
He stayed cool,calm, and collective on the outside....remained self-composed, and unruffled,
but on the inside he was anxious, and tormented with thoughts that Sylvia must be cheating on him.

Herman Koch is a master at unreliable characters...
All of his books:
“The Dinner”, “Summer House With Swimming Pool”, and “Dear Mr. M”, have an recognizable ‘KOCH STAMP’. He’s a one of a kind writer. Readers tend to have strong feelings about his books - with ratings all over the place.
Koch writes psychologically sophisticated thrillers.
I’ve enjoyed ‘every’ one of his books.
All his novels are deliciously sinister in nature.

In “The Ditch”, Robert thinks that during the pre-selection round for major,
They probably should’ve asked him if he was able to stomach standing around with people chitchatting over glasses of wine.
What I wondered, was not only could he tolerate the social affairs as part of his political responsibilities, but how could he function as mayor, at all, with all the inner distress that was unsettled. His suspicions and imagination of all that was not right was all too encompassing.
His 90ish old father told him that he and wife were planning a duo suicide.
Robert isn’t just upset or creeped out by the idea...
he’s suspicious ( in the same way he is his wife).
Robert doesn’t believe his father’s reasons or intentions are pure.

There are more subplots.
Robert hadn’t been major very long before the entire city seemed to be going off the deep end. Robert didn’t feel safe.

And there are moments that will make you cringe, and roll your eyes, shake your head, almost spit out the tea you’re drinking.

While at a political social event - he felt more comforted by the girl serving drinks than any of the other politicians in the room.
Robert didn’t think much of French President Francois Hollande— but he sure felt pride by the Dutch girl who served him drinks.
“Then the girl smiled too. She was an extremely-Dutch-Dutch girl, pretty in the way to which our country holds the patent rights, in a way that ought to make the dutch nation feel proud. So white, so blonde: creamy white”.

“The Ditch”, is a hell of a fun ride.
Robert and Sylvia take a pleasure trip to Paris.
And of course Robert wonders if his wife would still be playful, smile, tease, and wink at him if she were having an affair with
Maarten van Hoogstraten.

....Robert is hopeless... and he is close to losing everything that means anything in his life.
Another thought-provoking book is filled with dark suspense.

Herman Koch isn’t everyone’s cup of tea...
but for some of us, he can’t write books fast enough.
His writing is inventive and clever.
I adore Koch’s dazzling writing gifts.

Thank You Netgalley, Crown Publishing, and Herman Koch!!

I have enjoyed this author’s books in the past, but this one just didn’t grab me. The central character was so in his head and so unsympathetic that I was rooting for his wife to be unfaithful. Ultimately, I hung in for about half of the novel before bailing.

Herman Koch is one of my all time favourite writers. And with his newest novel “The Ditch” he lives up to all my expectations. Kudos must also go to Sam Garrett who translated the book from the original Dutch.
I just loved this book. Robert is the mayor of Amsterdam and is happily married to Sylvia. They have a good marriage until Robert spots Sylvia simply throwing back her head and laughing at something an Alderman said. This causes Robert to suspect Sylvia of cheating on him. But he decides to play it cool and be a private detective in his own life. He will observe everyone around him. He will not change a thing in his daily life. He will act exactly the same. But of course the tension builds in his mind. Just to make things more interesting, his parents have decided it’s time to end their lives. Herman Koch is a master at character building and storytelling. He weaves this tale in the most wonderful, if sometimes meandering way. He talks about the buildings in the city of Amsterdam and he talks in general about Dutch people and the monarchy and he does so with his usual biting wit.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

3.5 stars.

"The second time, though, I listened to the sentences as if they had a false bottom."


This story is about Robert, the mayor of Amsterdam, who sees a moment pass between his wife and one of his aldermen and decides that his wife must be cheating on him and the rest of the story is imbued with his suspicions and he revisits everything his wife says and does through that filter.

I had read and liked several other Koch novels before, but after I received this, I was worried it would not be like the others. At first, it felt like maybe it wasn't. I didn't like any of the characters and didn't really feel like the story was going anywhere.

By the time I finished it, it felt exactly like his other books to me. There's one central thing going on, but most of the story is about the characters and "ordinary" lives and how people's own lives intersect with others' and create these textures and layers. I don't even know how to explain it. What I know is that even though I don't love any of his characters, I find Koch's novels stay with me and this one is no exception.

"This time I would look at them differently. I would look at them through the eyes of a husband who knows he is being deceived."


Maybe because he knows how to portray human nature so well.

I loved "The Dinner", and was really looking forward to this book by Herman Koch. I was quite disappointed, as the storyline seemed to be a little all over the place. While I empathized with Walter, the mayor and I guess protagonist as he suspected his wife of adultery all by reading her body language at a party, he proceeds to become fully obsessed with the idea and has zero proof. Through his toils and troubles, we are shown other fault lines in his past that never really closed. His behavior leads to gaps at home, work, and everyone around him becomes suspicious of him hiding things which is the opposite of his goal. All he can think about his is wife's
"affair" until it comes to a boiling point.
I was able to follow along, but felt like more depth was needed and more consistency. The writing was like Walter's brain, a little scattered, which may have been done purposefully! If so, I'll eat my words. A decent read, but not the same caliber as The Dinner was for me. That one filled me up, this one left me hungry.

Okay. If you have never read Herman Koch then you won't understand how unlikable his characters are in his books. They are meant to be that way. He has a gift of giving you the worst people in the most twisted, suspenseful plots. The Ditch is no different. It's creative and unique, but filled with suspense. A think it a definite must read for anyone who loves devilish plots.

So weird. Full of unlikeable characters. I kept reading it only because I got it through Netgalley and felt compelled to finish it otherwise I would have given up after 50 pages at the most. I don’t understand the story at all and don’t care enough about the characters to try to figure it out.

This book isn’t even in Goodreads yet! I was sooo excited to get an early copy. I was blown away by The Dinner, so I had to see what the author was going to do next.

Suspenseful, and twisted that’s for sure.

I am a great fan of Herman Koch and was so excited to see his newest book included on Netgalley. This story follows Amsterdam mayor Robert Walter and his persuit to find out if his wife is having an affair. He sees his wife Sylvia chatting up a man at an event at the beginning of the story and becomes utterly convinced that she is cheating. Koch is so incredibly talented at creating characters that are slightly or heavily unreliable, and Robert is no exception. What Robert sees in Sylvia’s actions could make his thoughts of an affair true or untrue-there’s nothing concrete except what he creates in his mind at that moment. The story follows Robert and how his overthinking begins to take over every aspect of his life. As the reader I found myself wondering what was really true-again, Koch’s use of the unreliable narrator is spot on. Well done. Great book!

While I know that many are fans of Koch, this is my first of his and not sure I will be reading anymore. I tried to get into it a couple times, but it just wasn’t grabbing my attention. If at a later date I’m able to get into it and enjoy, I will rerate.
I will use in a challenge, as well as let the members of Chapter Chatter Pub know about it’s upcoming release. I rate a 3, because I feel that it should be a neutral rating, when I wasn’t able to finish!

The Ditch by Herman Koch

Crown Publishing
Pub date: June 11, 2019
Translation copyright (Dutch) by Sam Garrett
Original copyright 2016 Netherlands
Genre: fiction
Rating: 3/5

I received a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley and Crown Publishing in exchange for an unbiased review.

Having read “The Dinner” by Herman Koch, I was interested in reading this book. Unlike “The Dinner” which was more of a psychological thriller, this novel was less than thrilling. The writing perspective seems similar using an unreliable narrator whose internal musings become distracting. I kept waiting for his distracting, paranoid thoughts to be resolved but they just seemed to get muddied down with more confusion.

As this story unfolds, Robert Walker, the mayor of Amsterdam, begins to describe his wife, “Sylvia” and daughter, “Diana” which are not their real names. Robert Walker cherishes his preconceived notions and prejudices which seem to reinforce his overall paranoia. This staunch Dutchman is both condescending and self deprecating which further complicates his reliability as a narrator. He feels the need to maintain secrecy regarding details related to his wife and country of origin which he mentions quite often throughout the book. Similarly, he would like to appear unbiased but makes obvious his extreme judgement of her cultural background.

Although he provides subtle inferences to her heritage, he never seems to fully embrace his “foreign” spouse. Robert attributes his current marital concerns to his wife’s country of origin. He begins to unravel his suspicions that Sylvia is having an affair with Alderman Maarten van Hoogstraten, a colleague he despises. He exhausts himself in attempts to discover the “truth” spending time and attention to minute observations. Only a series of unfortunate events could force him to surrender his internal ruminations as a method of self preservation.

Ultimately, this novel has several disturbing subplots involving his parents and events from his past. In some of the situations, the reader is left to ponder Robert’s contribution to the consequences. It would be difficult to provide a spoiler to this book as the narrator keeps too much of his story private. I wanted to enjoy this story more than I did. The writing style keeps you simultaneously attentive and skeptical but disappointed when the ending lacks a satisfying resolution.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2717054022

https://bookwormreviewblog.blogspot.com/2019/03/the-ditch-by-herman-koch.html?m=1

https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-ditch-by-herman-koch

Thank you very much NetGalley and Crown Publishing for the ARC of The Ditch.

I had read Herman Koch's first book, The Dinner, for a book club read. I actually had to read it twice because the first time I was not in the right state of mind. First time I read it, I hated it, the 2nd time, I enjoyed it much more.

The Ditch I liked. It was different and at times, I actually was laughing at the main character because he was so over the top. He suspects his wife is having an affair and nearly manages to destroy himself and his marriage.

This book will not be for everyone. This is not a straight line book where you go from point A to point B, so if that is your style, this is not the book for you . Its more of an point A to A1 then maybe A3 sort of book.

Love the book or hate it, you won't be able to deny how gifted of a writer Koch truly is!

This author is such a wonderful writer that even books with hardly any interest are good. Wait, what? Yes, this is well written but the story is boring.

The Ditch will not be for everyone. It is the story of a self-absorbed, narcissistic man who convinces himself that his wife is having an affair with a dull alderman. Koch is a masterful writer that creates a character that is both annoying and sympathetic, but at times the story wanders into tiringly tangential territory. The story is seeded with some interesting nuggets, like the joint plans of the protagonist's parents and the mysterious bird that begins to visit the family garden. I would recommend this for readers who enjoy international, character-driven fiction; however, if you are a reader who likes to like the protagonist, or you enjoy a very linear story, this might not be the book for you.