45 pages 1 hour read

Herman Koch

The Dinner

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2009

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Before You Read

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

The Dinner by Herman Koch chronicles a tense meal at an upscale restaurant where two brothers and their wives discuss a critical and disturbing issue involving their teenage sons, with Paul Lohman's unreliable narration revealing the complex and dark dynamics at play. Sensitive topics including violence, mental health, and severe moral dilemmas are featured.

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Reviews for The Dinner by Herman Koch highlight its gripping narrative and dark humor, offering a compelling psychological exploration of morality. Readers praise the intricate character development and suspenseful build-up. On the downside, some find the pacing uneven and characters unlikable. Overall, it's a provocative and intense read that sparks significant discussion.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Dinner?

Readers who relish morally complex narratives and enjoy unraveling dark family secrets will appreciate The Dinner by Herman Koch. Fans of Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl or Liane Moriarty's Big Little Lies will find themselves captivated by the suspense and ethical dilemmas presented over the course of a single, tension-filled meal.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction

Mystery / Crime Fiction

Modern Classic Fiction

Themes

Relationships: Family

Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies