Kairos

This was (I think) my first German-translated book. I was so excited to read it—the orange cover really got me—but as usual, it's never available in local bookstores here in the Philippines, so I went to Libby and put a hold on it. It took months of waiting—and it was... okay.

I like the writing of this book. I mean, some stories are meant to be in this medium. I love how the words fit together, like reading a good setting and all that. I thought this could never be done in film. I think I expected too much, and now, I feel somehow distraught because in some ways, this story has been told before, and I read others that are more gripping.

I was initially hesitant to delve into this book, despite its widespread acclaim throughout the latter half of 2023. The blurb, which hints of a psychologically abusive relationships while paralleling them with complex historical contexts, didn't quite entice me. However, upon learning of its longlisting for the Booker Prize in 2023, I decided to bite the bullet and give it a chance. Now, I find myself quite ambivalent about this book.

The doomed relationship between Hans and Katharina seemed rather overwrought, especially as their dynamic soured to its nadir. While the portrayal of Hans's domination and psychological manipulation of Katharina, purportedly to salvage their love or redeem her, served as a poignant device to illustrate how both the individuals and the state, particularly GDR, have doomed their citizens for what is perceived as the greater good. It was fascinating to observe how their relationship evolved—from idealistic to manipulative to destructive to eventual emancipation—amidst the turbulent political backdrop. However, I couldn't shake the feeling that Katharina's infatuation with Hans seemed somewhat forced. There's little mention of her being enamored with Hans's appearance; in contrast, he's often described as lanky, scrawny, and pale. Nor does Katharina exhibit intellectual admiration for Hans; rather, she appears to conform to the mold he's shaping her into, with Hans assuming the roles of both teacher and maternal figure, some might argue.
Despite my reservations about the central relationship, I appreciated the subtlety with which the book explored historical nuances. Rather than employing heavy-handed allegory, it delves into the complexities of the past with a more nuanced touch, casting a murky yet intriguing atmosphere that isn't easily discernible.
In my opinion, the book could have benefited from toning down the magnification of Hans and Katharina's relationship; a more restrained approach would likely have resulted in a more compelling narrative. It felt quite exhaustive to get through all of these.
3 stars/5