Singled out by the Nobel Prize committee & on the first reading I wondered why. The story of a life on the line is a thing that novellas do well at telling, the crux point for a momentous break, shift or pinnacle reflection. Though Tommy Wilhem’s way of life, if not his life itself, is on the line it does not feel as gigantic an importance as, comparatively say, Merasalt in Camus’ ‘The Outsider’. But perhaps it is this lack of empathy, this deficient of empathy with Tommy is what it is exactly describing. He doesn’t get the help he wants from his father nor does he achieve the care he wishes for from his wife & he is even doubtful about the credibility of the enigmatic Dr. Tamkin who seems genuinely wanting to help him. It’s very well written & not insubstantial but what makes this book one of the ‘great works of the 20th century’?
