The Darkroom of Damocles

By Willem Frederik Hermans

More information to be announced soon on this forthcoming title from Penguin USA.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Group
• Release date: Oct 27, 2009
• ISBN: 9781468303995

Willem Frederik Hermans

Willem Frederik Hermans (1921-1995) was one of the most prolific and versatile Dutch authors of the twentieth century. In 1977 he received the Dutch Literature Prize - the most prestigious literary prize in the Netherlands. He is considered one of the three most important authors in the Netherlands in the postwar period, along with Harry Mulisch and Gerard Reve. Hermans' An Untouched House was published by Pushkin Press in 2016 to rave reviews. The Darkroom of Damocles and Beyond Sleep are also available from Pushkin Press.

Reviews for The Darkroom of Damocles

[lizzysiddal · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My favourite novel of all time!

[jonfaith · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Milan Kundera offers a compound blurb for The Darkroom of Damocles; "I read it in a single sitting" and "a thriller during which the suspense never flags." While I agree with the first sentiment -- I read the final 270 pages in an evening -- the second claim is more elusive. Detailing the occupation/resistance dynamic in the Netherlands during WW II, W.F. Hermans unleashes a nightmare where his unsettling protagonist Osewoundt (O) takes up arms against the Germans and finds more than traces of evil in his own soul. The thriller aspect is maintained by having the enemy possess a sort of omniscience which leaves the reader puzzling as to the supergrass. How do they know O's activities so closely? There is paranoia at every turn and some sort of sudden sexuality. Ultimately O is a morally questionable figure. Insert symbols for Occupied Europe here. It is easy to be swept along by the novel. Enjoying it is a different task.

[frenzie_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Here's another text I never previously read because of all the hype. If I'd read this back when I was 14 years old, it might've blown my mind. This postmodern text is a (somewhat deceptively) easy, enjoyable read from which you can get more fun (if you're so inclined) by comparing discrepancies within the narrative in the final section with what allegedly occurred earlier in the text. Spoiler alert![spoiler]From the moment Dorbeck showed up, I interpreted this book the same way as suggested by the psychologist at the end. However, by that point it's become apparent that the psychological interpretation cannot be definitive, for there's a third, philosophical level of meaning in the book.[/spoiler]

[amaryann21 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The story of Henri, a tobacconist in Holland during the German occupation and subsequent WWII, is dangerous and a bit confusing. He meets Dorbeck, who gives him missions to accomplish to aid the anti-German allies. Henri is only too happy to complete these assignments, being rejected from the army. Strangely, he and Dorbeck look nearly identical, the only exception being their hair color. Henri is captured by various factions and his identity is questioned repeatedly, though no one can locate the elusive Dorbeck. I don't normally enjoy WWII-based fiction, but this wasn't bogged down with military references and combat tactics. It was a fun ride. Food: German warm potato salad, the first time I had it. I didn't expect to like it, as most potato salad leaves me cold, and I went back for seconds. The flavor was intriguing and I couldn't quite tell what spices were in it.

[bookomaniac-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Voor velen is dit hét meesterwerk van Hermans. Wellicht heeft dat te maken met de twijfelachtige opstelling van "verzetsheld/collaborateur tegen wil en dank" van hoofdrolspeler Osewoudt, tegen alle patriottische retoriek in. Of met de psychologische onderlaag van een tweederangsfiguur die zich optrekt aan zijn zoveel heldhaftiger vermeende evenbeeld Dorbeck, en er lustig op los moordt. Hermans zelf vond dit maar een matig boek, en ik kan hem niet helemaal ongelijk geven. Echt hoogstaande literatuur is het niet en het verhaal lijkt dikwijls geen enkele kant op te gaan. Daar staat tegenover dat het verhaal soms echt wel flink vaart heeft, en dat het alles bijeen een interessante studie is over moraliteit (of het gebrek eraan) in oorlogstijd.

[gregor2samsa · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Disturbing. Touching. Strong. Different. Surely worth reading. Not similar to any other book I've read.

[dionnep_3 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The first time I really like this book. The second time I didn't. Probably because I had to read it for my reading list for school.