Schopenhauer's Telescope
by Gerard Donovan
On This Page
Description
In an unnamed European village, in the middle of a civil war, one man digs while another watches over him. Gradually, they begin to talk. Over the course of the afternoon, as the snow falls and truck-loads of villagers are corralled in the next field, we discover why they are there - not just who they are and how specific, sinister events in their country have led them to be separated by a deepening grave, but why the history of civilization is inseparable from the history of mass violence. show more Beautifully written, with a poet's eye for detail coupled with a chilling narrative drive, Gerard Donovan's first novel has been compared with Franz Kafka and Bernhard Schlink. SCHOPENHAUER'S TELESCOPE is current in the best sense - not merely about Bosnia or Kosovo, but in attempting to make art out of brutal life. show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
This novel merits more than one reading and needs to be taken with an open mind. It actually needs to be read as play, where the initial chit chat leads to clues and climaxes to a shattering conclusion. The first hundred pages are difficult. The second hundred pages confusing. The last hundred fascinating. Exposed are the conflicts of self-interest, survival, love, war, judgment and truth. Schopenhauer's telescope is all about gaining perspective - but how can we have this when we are caught in the action? By confusing the good and the bad, Donovan leads us to reflect on our motivations and on our values.
Great read. Dark, philisophical and some interesting historical snippets. Gripping stuff, read it.
Ratings
Members
- Recently Added By
Lists
Booker Prize
491 works; 62 members
Man Booker Prize Longlist 2003
23 works; 3 members
Author Information
13 Works 755 Members
Awards and Honors
Common Knowledge
- Original publication date
- 2003
- Epigraph
- What is your substance, whereof are you made, That millions of strange shadows on you tend? -William Shakespeare
- Dedication
- For Mary
- First words
- As often happens when snow falls, the morning was mild, but around eleven the wind picked up, snow and ice fell together, and the temperature went below zero.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)They'll need someone who can make bread, and I'll remind them of that when the last body drops and my shovel falls useless on the snow.
- Blurbers
- Marcu, David; Rosenblatt, Roger
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 245
- Popularity
- 131,853
- Reviews
- 3
- Rating
- (3.37)
- Languages
- 7 — Dutch, English, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Turkish
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 13
- ASINs
- 2
