Coupables (edition 2012)

Short review of two Schirach books
http://www.weberseite.at/buecher/verbrechen-und-schuld-von-schirach/

Short review of two Schirach books
http://www.weberseite.at/buecher/verbrechen-und-schuld-von-schirach/ ( )

This is a powerful collection of 15 short stories, each told from the perspective of a defense attorney and addressing a different legal case. Anyone who’s ever wondered how defense attorneys sleep at night will have insight into the unsettling world in which they live, through these stories. It’s a fascinating exploration of the degrees of guilt, and the gray areas that do no not always find adequate attention in a very black and white justice system. The language is sharp, crisp and incredibly powerful, and though the stories are very short, they have tremendous emotional impact. Characters are well-developed in spite of their short stints, and I often found myself on pins and needles to see how a story turned out.

One of the most impressive things about this collection is how quickly the writer pulls you in to each story. I’m not normally a reader of short stories, because I like to settle into the characters and plot of a novel and feel that deeper connection to the story. But with this book, I felt a connection even to the stories that were only 3 pages long. There was terrific use of irony in the stories along with some great, unexpected plot twists and a riveting undercurrent of suspense. It was impossible to put the book down, so compelling were the individual stories. And as a whole, the book creates a tapestry of thought-provoking themes, inviting the reader to look at deeper issues of guilt and responsibility. This would generate wonderful discussion for a book club. A very original, well-written collection that I highly recommend. ( )

The premise for each of these stories is fascinating. Unfortunately, for me, the emotional connection was absent. The stories read like dry newspaper articles. I didn't feel anything for the characters. There is much to ponder here on the subject of guilt, but nothing drew me in and made me care. ( )