At some point I expressed an intention of reading more translated literature. How is it going with that, I hear you asking? Well, let’s just say, I saw the longlist for The International Booker Prize 2021 as an easy way of doing some catching up.
Two books caught my eye: The Employees because the author is Danish and When We Cease to Understand the World because Einstein, Heisenberg and Schrödinger (some of my favourite scientists) were mentioned in the blurb.
Below you can see how I got on with The Employees. I meant to review both books in this post, but it turned out I had too much to say! See my opinion of When We Cease to Understand the World here (rant review alert!)
I loved this one! The format was unusual, structured as a series of employee statements, all part of a workplace commission. The language was simple, poetic and beautiful, very far from your average HR interview. But most importantly, Olga Ravn managed to do what Ishiguro failed at with Klara and the Sun: She got me deeply emotionally involved and made me thoroughly reflect upon, what it means to be human.
The Employees takes place in a spaceship orbiting the New Discovery. The crew consist of humans, humanoids and enhanced humans. Since the New Discovery is far from Earth, the humans on board know, they will never return home. On board is also a range of objects found on the New Discovery; objects which are highly mysterious, not really alive in the way we understand it, but certainly not dead either. They are arranged across two rooms almost like a sensory art exhibition. Sensory impressions play an important role: touches, smells, sounds. The objects seem to affect the employees deeply in various different ways. Fun fact: It was an art exhibition by Lea Guldditte Hestelund, which originally inspired the objects and the novel itself.
There are no characters as such. Each of the 100 witness statements is numbered, but the character behind the statement is not identified. Sometimes, you can tell to what extent the employee is human, sometimes you can’t. As a person who dotes on good characters, I found this distinctly odd, but surprisingly it really worked.
Some books remind me of an impressionistic painting and this is a prime example. Each witness statement is like an independent brushstroke. In isolation it doesn’t necessarily make a lot of sense, but when all the brushstrokes come together, they form a deep and meaningful picture.
It could be argued that The Employees doesn’t bring anything radically different to the table in the discussion about humans vs. humanoids. But that isn’t the point. With an inventive format, poetic language and unusual setting, Olga Ravn transformed me into this melancholic mood (which Ishiguro is normally very good at) whilst I mused about some of the fundamental questions in life including: what ultimately makes our lives worth living? Probably not our jobs…
I don’t normally take notes when reading fiction, but I have several pages filled with ideas, quotes and connections from The Employees and I am sure, I’d find more if I were to reread. That is quite impressive, because the story is ultra-short (2 hours on audio) and rather minimalistic. Olga Ravn shows, that sometimes less really is more.
Title: De Ansatte (The Employees) Author: Olga Ravn Format: Audiobook, narrated by Olga Ravn Genre: Sci-fi
Maybe I’ll have to get over myself and give this a go. Although this doesn’t sound exactly sci-fi, it veers perilously close.
Yes, there are certainly sci-fi elements included, but this book is so strange and alternative, so it doesn’t have much similarity to, well, anything. If you don’t mind experimental literature, you should give it a try!
I’ll look out for it in the library. Buying it might be a bridge too far 😉
I hope you will find it in the library. Don’t know if this is too narrow for libraries to be interested.
It doesn’t have it yet, but my library service has good buyers, and I remain hopeful.
Great review, Stargazer. You made me chuckle with your rave review alert! As you know, I’m not a fan of spaceships, A.I., non-humans etc and whilst admiring your insight – especially the notion of this being like an impressionistic painting – I was happily assuming that this wouldn’t be for me. Then you mention how short this one is and now I’m thinking it’s good to be nudged out of my comfort zone and maybe I might manage this one. I’m so shallow – if it’s short I’ll read it! 😂
Thanks Sandra! 😊 I might have gone overboard with my praise, but I just love when a book takes me completely by surprise. Don’t be put off by the non-humans, all the issues which are touched upon are utterly human. Haha, I love a short book as well. Apparently, most books from the International Booker longlist this year are both rather odd and rather short. I quite like that – it is something of an achievement to be able to write an impactful story using very few pages.
This sounds fascinating, my interest is definitely piqued!
It was utterly fascinating and so alternative. But I seem to remember, you don’t mind books with an experimental format, so perhaps you’ll enjoy this one. I hope you will give it a try!
I enjoyed reading that review, stargazer. Alas, there is no room on my TBR list; it has reached ridiculous proportions; I’m sure we’re all the same. So many great books . . .
That is fair enough! Also, I think this is a book, which some people will love, but a lot of people may find it too weird.
Really enjoyed this review – thanks! 🙂
Thanks! 😀 I am glad you enjoyed it!
This sounds so unusual but interesting!!
It really was both of these things!
I like the sound of this. I love books that make you think deeply and are more of a challenge. I like the fact you took notes. It must have really impressed you if you wanted to record quotes and your thoughts. I only do that in my blog really. Great review!
Yes, I am the same, I love books which make me think. It really is very unusual that I take notes, but there were so many details I wanted to remember. Apparently, there is also some significance in the structure. For example, not all the statements are included (some may be weeded out by the workplace commission?) and they are not entirely in chronological order either. I’ve heard other reviewers saying they want to reread and try to read the statements in chronological order to see if this will show a different meaning. Anyway, in short, there is a lot to take in for such a short book.
Now, that has intrigued me even more. I am going to have to read it at some point but as another trip to a little library has been fruitful, it may be some time in the future.
Ooh, you have been to the little library (which I now know what is) – I look forward to hear what you picked up!
Sure have! Watch this space or rather the slightly bigger one on my blog. There was one particularly intriguing book – not for the subject matter but for the way that it had been altered by a previous reader. I will leave you in suspense with that.
Now, I am curious! Will definitely watch the space, which is your blog! 😀
It was a very bizarre thing to do. And that’s all I’m going to say. I may be building this up excessively…prepare for the anticlimax!
Hahaha, yes the tension of the build-up is unbearable! 🤣 Of course expectations are sky high by now!
Prepare to plummet! Ha ha!
Oooh this one goes straight on my TBR – sounds fascinating! Thanks for the review! 😀
It was fascinating and I hope you get to read it! Apparently, it isn’t available on the Kindle at the moment (unless you understand Danish). You are welcome!
Sounds intriguing! Unfortunately they seem to have withdrawn the English-language Kindle version due to serious formatting problems, but I’ll keep an eye open for a corrected version. Can’t wait for your rant… 😉
It was so much fun! I love an experimental format, if it makes sense for the story and here it worked extremely well. Haha, it seems that everyone but me loved When We Cease to Understand the World. No idea why…. 😉
Sounds intriguing! Will add to my list of books to check out!
It really was intriguing. Very short, very impactful and very alternative.
I love books that make me think! And you made this one sound really good! I’m not sure if it’s available in the US yet…I’m gonna keep an eye out for it! Great review once again, stargazer. So glad you enjoyed this!
Me too! This was the perfect combination, which appealed both to the head and the heart. It may not be published in the US? I hope it will be though, it deserves more readers. Thanks!
I’ll definitely be picking this up, Stargazer! Thank you for this review. I love a minimalist story and I think there’s no finer writing talent (or skill?) than to write a simple story that connects to readers. Love that message too.
Yes exactly! I think it’s very impressive to be able to write a short story, which has a great impact. I’d much prefer that to a chunkster with lots of unnecessary padding.
Nice presentation, I definitely want to try it
Thanks, you should give it a try!