Reviews
"A European Gone Girl … The Dinner , a sly psychological thriller that hinges on a horrific crime and its consequences for two families, has become one of spring's most anticipated suspense novels." The Wall Street Journal "Mesmerizing and disturbing… fast-paced and addictive… The Dinner , already a bestseller in Europe, is sure to find an enthusiastic American readership as well." Book Page "This chilling novel starts out as a witty look at contemporary manners…before turning into a take-no-prisoners psychological thriller…With dark humor, Koch dramatizes the lengths to which people will go to preserve a comfortable way of life…this is a cunningly crafted thriller that will never allow you to look at a serviette in the same way again." Publishers Weekly (starred review) "A high-class meal provides an unlikely window into privilege, violence and madness…Koch's slow revelation of the central crisis is expertly paced, and he's opened up a serious question of what parents owe their children, and how much of their character is passed on to them…a chilling vision of the ugliness of keeping up appearances." - Kirkus " The Dinner begins with drinks and dark satire, and goes stealthily and hauntingly from there. It's chilling, nasty, smart, shocking and unputdownable. Read the novel in one big gulp, and then make plans with friends-you'll be desperate to debate this book over cocktails, appetizers, entrees, dessert…and then you still won't be done talking about it." Gillian Flynn , author of Gone Girl ''[ The Dinner ] proves how powerful fiction can be in illuminating the modern world...The reader does not rise from his table happy and replete so much as stand up suddenly, pale and reeling. Bored with Fifty Shades of Grey and all that brouhaha? Read The Dinner -and taste the shock." The Economist "Funny, provocative and exceedingly dark, this is a brilliantly addictive novel that wraps its hands around your throat on page one and doesn't let go." SJ Watson , author of Before I Go to Sleep "Herman Koch has written a sneakily disturbing novel. He lures us into his story with his unfailingly reasonable tone (just acidic enough to be entertaining), and before we know it we've found ourselves in places we never would've consented to go. The Dinner is a smart, amiably misanthropic book, and it's tremendous fun to read." Scott Smith , author of The Ruins " The Dinner is a riveting, compelling and a deliciously uncomfortable read. Like all great satire it is both lacerating and so very funny... Intelligent and complex, this novel is both a punch to the guts and also a tonic. It clears the air. A wonderful book." Christos Tsiolkas , author of The Slap "What a tremendous book. I loved every single gripping and strange thing about it." MJ Hyland , author of Carry Me Down "By the end of The Dinner you'll have to rethink everything, including who you are and what you believe. This is a book you won't forget." David Vann , author of Dirt, "Funny, provocative and exceedingly dark, this is a brilliantly addictive novel that wraps its hands around your throat on page one and doesn't let go." SJ Watson , author of Before I Go to Sleep "Herman Koch has written a sneakily disturbing novel. He lures us into his story with his unfailingly reasonable tone (just acidic enough to be entertaining), and before we know it we've found ourselves in places we never would've consented to go. The Dinner is a smart, amiably misanthropic book, and it's tremendous fun to read." Scott Smith , author of The Ruins " The Dinner is a riveting, compelling and a deliciously uncomfortable read. Like all great satire it is both lacerating and so very funny... Intelligent and complex, this novel is both a punch to the guts and also a tonic. It clears the air. A wonderful book." Christos Tsiolkas , author of The Slap "What a tremendous book. I loved every single gripping and strange thing about it." MJ Hyland , author of Carry Me Down "By the end of The Dinner you'll have to rethink everything, including who you are and what you believe. This is a book you won't forget." David Vann , author of Dirt, "This chilling novel starts out as a witty look at contemporary manners…before turning into a take-no-prisoners psychological thriller…With dark humor, Koch dramatizes the lengths to which people will go to preserve a comfortable way of life…this is a cunningly crafted thriller that will never allow you to look at a serviette in the same way again." Publishers Weekly (starred review) "A high-class meal provides an unlikely window into privilege, violence and madness…Koch's slow revelation of the central crisis is expertly paced, and he's opened up a serious question of what parents owe their children, and how much of their character is passed on to them…a chilling vision of the ugliness of keeping up appearances." - Kirkus " The Dinner begins with drinks and dark satire, and goes stealthily and hauntingly from there. It's chilling, nasty, smart, shocking and unputdownable. Read the novel in one big gulp, and then make plans with friends-you'll be desperate to debate this book over cocktails, appetizers, entrees, dessert…and then you still won't be done talking about it." Gillian Flynn , author of Gone Girl ''[ The Dinner ] proves how powerful fiction can be in illuminating the modern world...The reader does not rise from his table happy and replete so much as stand up suddenly, pale and reeling. Bored with Fifty Shades of Grey and all that brouhaha? Read The Dinner -and taste the shock." The Economist "Funny, provocative and exceedingly dark, this is a brilliantly addictive novel that wraps its hands around your throat on page one and doesn't let go." SJ Watson , author of Before I Go to Sleep "Herman Koch has written a sneakily disturbing novel. He lures us into his story with his unfailingly reasonable tone (just acidic enough to be entertaining), and before we know it we've found ourselves in places we never would've consented to go. The Dinner is a smart, amiably misanthropic book, and it's tremendous fun to read." Scott Smith , author of The Ruins " The Dinner is a riveting, compelling and a deliciously uncomfortable read. Like all great satire it is both lacerating and so very funny... Intelligent and complex, this novel is both a punch to the guts and also a tonic. It clears the air. A wonderful book." Christos Tsiolkas , author of The Slap "What a tremendous book. I loved every single gripping and strange thing about it." MJ Hyland , author of Carry Me Down "By the end of The Dinner you'll have to rethink everything, including who you are and what you believe. This is a book you won't forget." David Vann , author of Dirt, " The Dinner begins with drinks and dark satire, and goes stealthily and hauntingly from there. It's chilling, nasty, smart, shocking and unputdownable. Read the novel in one big gulp, and then make plans with friends-you'll be desperate to debate this book over cocktails, appetizers, entrees, dessert…and then you still won't be done talking about it." Gillian Flynn , author of Gone Girl ''[ The Dinner ] proves how powerful fiction can be in illuminating the modern world...The reader does not rise from his table happy and replete so much as stand up suddenly, pale and reeling. Bored with Fifty Shades of Grey and all that brouhaha? Read The Dinner -and taste the shock." The Economist "Funny, provocative and exceedingly dark, this is a brilliantly addictive novel that wraps its hands around your throat on page one and doesn't let go." SJ Watson , author of Before I Go to Sleep "Herman Koch has written a sneakily disturbing novel. He lures us into his story with his unfailingly reasonable tone (just acidic enough to be entertaining), and before we know it we've found ourselves in places we never would've consented to go. The Dinner is a smart, amiably misanthropic book, and it's tremendous fun to read." Scott Smith , author of The Ruins " The Dinner is a riveting, compelling and a deliciously uncomfortable read. Like all great satire it is both lacerating and so very funny... Intelligent and complex, this novel is both a punch to the guts and also a tonic. It clears the air. A wonderful book." Christos Tsiolkas , author of The Slap "What a tremendous book. I loved every single gripping and strange thing about it." MJ Hyland , author of Carry Me Down "By the end of The Dinner you'll have to rethink everything, including who you are and what you believe. This is a book you won't forget." David Vann , author of Dirt
