Europa

Shortlisted for the Booker Prize 1997
For me, this is not a book that has aged well. Even in 1997, its narrator's view of women must have been at best politically incorrect, even in an era that gave birth to lad-mag culture.

The narrator is Jerry Marlow, a British university lecturer working in Milan University. He agrees to join a party of other lecturers and supporting students on a coach trip to Strasbourg to present a petition to the European Parliament claiming that it is unfair not to give visiting lecturers the same tenure their Italian colleagues are entitled to. This may seem fair enough as material for a novel, but we soon hear that the lecturers have dubbed the coach the "shag wagon", as most of the young students are female. show more This sexual objectification of the students is relentless and continues throughout the book - Jerry forgets their names and refers to them using nicknames all of which end in -Tottie.

Jerry's real interest is with a French fellow lecturer (also on the coach) who has recently ended an affair with him that goes back several years and caused Jerry to leave his wife and daughter. This colleague is generally referred to as She or her and he only brings himself to name her in the final sentence of the book.

There is also a political element to the story but it lacks any real depth.

What may have led the jury to shortlist the book is the style - it does have elements of a Thomas Bernhard misanthropic rant, and uses a lot of long sentences, but Marlow's attitudes reminded me much more of the work of Kingsley Amis.

Overall I found this one disappointing and would not recommend it. show less

On many levels, this virtuoso tragic comedy is astounding. The story's erratic plot is humorous and full of likable characters. This book is worth reading because of its better-than-average denouement.

Jerry goes on a trip to European Parliament to support a cause he doesn't believe in. He knows his ex-mistress will be there, and she still has incredible power over him.

Quite a good book in parts, but the dense language and philosophy in parts slowed the book down and seemed to be transparent attempts to show intelligence and depth.

Hopla, zijn we dan ook weer doorheen. Nederlandse vertaling gelezen (biebleen). Ik verwacht na het gelezen hebben van de vertaling, het boek meer te kunnen waarderen in de oorspronkelijke tekst. Even snel de oorspronk-uh-luk-ke tekst bekeken op archive.org, en warempel, woorden als tottie en fucking die toch veel beter zijn dan gleuf en verdomde. In de Nederlandse vertaling klinkt iedereen wat meer hetzelfde (wat ik na 1 minuut van de original doorkijken concludeer). Het is vrouwonvriendelijk, ordinair en erotisch geobsedeerd, maar hm- ik zou de Engelse tekst willen lezen, leest veel grappiger weg (en dat wederom na 1 minuut en VIER pagina's!!) Welja, is een psychologische roman aldus de B. Eemland kaft. Jazeker, want wij zitten in zijn show more hoofd de hele tijd dans la tête, dasein. Zoals Enter The Void dat ooit alleen eerder heeft gedaan of die andere film waar je als afstandelijke toeschouwer het een en ander neermaait, ja Hardcore Henry was dat (nooit gezien overigens). De charme van de schrijver ontbrak een beetje in de vertaling, en jezus wat ben ik dom, ik kon de Engelse gewoon in de UB lenen... Nou, dan krijgt dit nog een staartje. Jammer wel dat deze vertaler dus 11 van zijn boeken heeft vertaald? Ik ben ook maar ongeleerd!!!! Wat maakt het uit. De hiernavolgende leesvolgorde: 1. gedaanteverandering of 'n metaforiese muizeval; 2. Savant Relics; 3. Last Action Hero (Tine); 4. Last Action Hero (Newman & Marsh); 5. Europa (Parks, ENG). Algoeds. show less

Did not manage more than 50 pages, I was just not interested.

I rarely do not finish a book. I typically struggle through and finish books, even if I am not loving them. But every now and then, I throw in the towel…and that is what happened with Europa by Tim Parks.

This novel was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 1997 which is how it made its way on to my stack of to-be-read books. I usually like the books which make the Booker lists – in fact some I love. Sometimes, however, I think the judges get it wrong. I was less than impressed with the 2009 winner which won despite the authors total disregard for the rules of grammar…although a couple of the 2009 short listed books were amazing (I’m thinking specifically of The Children’s Book and The Glass House). I don’t really understand show more how Europa managed to make it to the short list in 1997, but I suspect it was Parks’ unusual (albeit annoying ) style which consists of stream of consciousness, run-on, circuitous sentences.

Europa is a novel about Jerry Marlow who is traveling by train from Milan to Strasbourg and reflecting on his less than satisfactory life. Marlow is rather misogynistic, as well as arrogant – and it is this, along with his drawn out reflections, which eventually got me to toss the book aside. I just didn’t like Jerry. Not at all. And I got tired of his “voice” and his endless, circular thoughts.

My final thoughts – don’t waste your time. show less

Too much violence & boring with it; I couldn't cope with the last 80 pages, despte the occasional insightful remark about Europe, the violence was too much.