Steven Godin's review of Netherland (original) (raw)

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Steven Godin's Reviews > Netherland

Netherland
by

I must admit, I am not much of a follower of cricket, but this is a novel, a touching character study, where you don't even have to like cricket to like the novel; it's there, but only really as a backdrop to more important things going on here: friendship; a meditation on loss' the immigrant life in one of the most diverse cities in the world; It's in a way quite a strange novel, and has things in it that reminded me a little of the New York from a Paul Auster novel. Of the two main characters, Dutchman Hans van den Broek (the narrator) and Trinidadian Chuck Ramkissoon, who wants to establish cricket as a great American sport whilst trying to get rich through a set of other dodgy business schemes, I found Hans the one suffering more with a sense of dislocation; a man simply trying to stay afloat through the breakdown of his marriage, whilst Chuck had big ideas of really cementing himself in the American dream; even if it meant being somewhat of a crook. The flashbacks through the thoughts of Hans felt really appropriate here, adding a profound feeling of nostalgia that doesn't feel at all mawkish. I don't think I would say it's a great post 9/11 novel about New York like some do as at times it's story felt a little too contrived, but the writing I admired certainly; I just wish the novel had been expanded further, especially when it came to some of the eccentric bit part characters staying at the Chelsea Hotel in Manhattan that interested me a lot.

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Reading Progress

August 14, 2024 – Shelved

August 19, 2024 –Started Reading

August 22, 2024 –Finished Reading

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