The Stronger Sex by Hans Werner Kettenbach and Anthea Bell (Translator)
| The Stronger Sex by Hans Werner Kettenbach and Anthea Bell (Translator) | |
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| Category: General Fiction | |
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Reviewer: Louise Laurie
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| Summary: A young lawyer is handed an interesting but potentially explosive case by his law firm. He's soon caught up in a whirlpool of money, revenge, greed, love and lust. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 325 | Date: March 2011 |
| Publisher: Bitter Lemon Press | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 978-1904738671 | |
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After reading the various comments on the back cover, I was looking forward to reading this book as I love a story with a psychological element. Young Alex is driven to the home of his latest client; a man called Klofft. The reader soon finds out that Klofft has plenty of baggage, as well as plenty of money. He's elderly and very ill and mobility is also an issue for him. So, while he may have set out to impress others with his large home and beautiful things, sadly he seems no longer to be able to enjoy life. His illness confines him to just a couple of rooms. It's apparent that Alex is rather taken with his wife, Cilly Klofft, who is still rather beautiful - for her age. The reader assumes she's in her late sixties or early seventies. But what is it they say about age being only a number for some of us? And age plays a big part, a very big part, in this novel.
Kettenbach sets a tense, almost claustrophobic feel throughout, which I liked. I got the sense that Alex felt out of his depth at times having to put delicate questions to a moneyed couple. I could almost feel him squirm as he tries to extract delicate, but vital information from a cantankerous and awkward elderly man. Klofft's behaviour leaves him with few friends and very little social contact. And what there is, well, he has to pay for in terms of nursing care and a friendly word or two thrown in.
But as the story develops, Alex starts to view the crusty, old Klofft in a different light. What is it they say about someone's bark being worse than their bite? Could it apply here? The social - and legal boundaries come into play in this novel. They also tend to shift now and again. Is this good? And more importantly, is it ethical? It looks as if the fragrant Cilly is toying with Alex's feelings. But would a young, virile, successful man already in a physical relationship with a woman his own age, even give an elderly woman past her prime a second glance? It may surprise you. It certainly surprised me. I seem to remember reading somewhere lately that 75 is the new 40 or maybe it was 50, but anyway, I felt a little uncomfortable with the whole age agenda. And also with the Cilly/Alex situation. But perhaps this is Kettenbach's whole point. And if so, then it's a good one to get us all thinking.
The writing is fluid, conversational and very easy to get involved in right from the beginning. We soon come to appreciate that this legal case is so flawed that you could drive the proverbial coach and horses through it. The tension increases for all the key players as the day in court looms. We're given a smattering of legal procedure and jargon just to keep us nicely in the loop. Overall, I found this novel engaging with a good storyline and the male-female roles with a nice twist. Recommended.
I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to The Bookbag.
If this book appeals then try Random Acts of Heroic Love by Danny Scheinmann.
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You can read more book reviews or buy The Stronger Sex by Hans Werner Kettenbach and Anthea Bell (Translator) at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy The Stronger Sex by Hans Werner Kettenbach and Anthea Bell (Translator) at Amazon.com.
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