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Tautly written, incredibly gripping, and told by an unforgettable narrator, The Dinner promises to be the topic of countless dinner party debates. Skewering everything from parenting values to pretentious menus to political convictions, this novel reveals the dark side of genteel society and asks what each of us would do in the face of unimaginable tragedy.
Anonymous
Posted February 18, 2013
This book was horrible, but I couldn't put it down. I felt like I was waiting for more to happen, but the writer "hid" everything that would have made this book more interesting. In the end, I felt like reading this book was a complete waste of time. There was so much potential too, but everything felt under developed. There were too many "fillers" with the overly done descriptions of Paul's surroundings, to the point where it started to get annoying. I wouldn't recommend this book, but you don't have to take my word for it.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Fester
Posted February 18, 2013
I found this book to be a compelling page-turner, beautifully written. I found it interesting that nearly all of the characters were horrible, self-serving, and unlikable - most stories feature a "good guy" or hero to serve as foil to the villan. I think this is the best book I have read in a long time, much better even than the highly accaimed "Gone Girl" which is currently on the best-seller list.
7 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.mysterygirlSC
Posted February 17, 2013
This had to be one of the most boring books I have read in a long time. There wasn't one character that endeared themselves to me, all of them IMHO were boorish, self serving, dull and egotistical. The only one who almost redeemed himself was Serg but in the end was no better than the rest.
I could have put up with the characters if the writing had not been dull as well. If I had purchased the book instead of the nook version, I would have returned it to Barnes & Noble after the 1st couple of chapters.
I don't remember ever having given any book I read less than 3 stars but if I available I would have given this one a negative !
7 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 13, 2013
Scary internal view of parenting.......
4 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 21, 2013
I wish i never bought this e-book! I kept reading, hoping it would get better. It never did! Aming othet things the author would start describing somethhing, then say "I won't tell you this or that". If you don't wajt to tell us details, don't write a book! Annoying to say the least!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 5, 2013
I had a blast reading this book. It gave an insight to a life style and raised questions to serious isses. What would you have done?
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 5, 2013
I would not recommend this book to anyone.
2 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 3, 2013
This book semes populer
2 out of 16 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 22, 2013
One of best books for 2013, this one is a number 1 in the category
"You can run, but you can't hide".
Think of it as 'Fight Club' but then in an Amsterdam restaurant. To be read on a nice & quiet beach.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 21, 2013
I don't want to give too much away. But, if you liked We Need To Talk About Kevin, then you will enjoy this emotionally stirring read.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 20, 2013
I cannot believe this book ever received any positive reviews. I had such high hopes, but it was actually painful to read. I absolutely hated this book. And I only got to pg. 54. Nothing nothing nothing happened in those 54 pages. The summary of The Dinner sounds like it will be a thrilling page turner. Don't be fooled. The 53 pages I read were torture.
If your looking for a good read, check out my reading blog Black Bifocals
2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 11, 2013
The premise is enticing. How far would you go to save your child? I found the beginning quite amusing. Paul's conjectures about the people he sees are hilarious. His observations of the restaurant manager and that darn pinky made me laugh a lot. I liked his detailed descriptions of the food, felt like you were there in the restaurant with him. As the story progresses, it gets dark and serious. Suspenseful as you dont know whats going to happen! I enjoyed this book.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 8, 2013
I haven't had this much trouble finishing a book in a long time. Every time I thought I couldn't take it any more, the author would thow me just enough info to get me to keep reading.
Yes, the book is very thought-provoking; however, it moves very slowly. I kept wanting to scream "Just Get To The Point!!" The story line begs the question of how far would you go to protect your child. It is a hot topic, but there seemed to be no one in the story with any redeemable qualities. I disliked all of the characters (right down to the awful waiter with the horrible pointing pinky finger). The only person that wanted to do the right thing wanted to do it for all the wrong reasons. I definitely hated the ending, for no one got what they deserved. I also found it very hippocritical that what the main character felt about people and justice was excused for his son. Again, no one had any redeemable qualities in this book.
As for the issue of mentally ill people? Being mentally ill does not give anyone the right to behave in this way and when they do, the worst harm you could do as a parent is to completely ignore bad behavior.
So, not the best read ever. It does give you something to think about. However, it did drag quite a bit. I am not sorry I paid for it, or read it; but I don't think I will be looking for anything else by this author. This one kind of left me with a bad taste in my mouth.
-- SPeeD
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 5, 2013
At times the author had my attention only because I kept waiting for something to happen. It dragged out, rambled on and finally at the end of the book... a waste of time and waste of money.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 29, 2013
It is an interesting concept to have the story focused around one evening's dinner. The story line wasn't what I had expected, but ok.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 22, 2013
Had difficulty putting this book down as I wanted to know the outcome. I imagine there are more parents than we know dealing with the less than pleasant behavior of the child which has then been shared with the world on social media.
This book gives one view of how a child's inappropriate behavior can have a impact on an entire family. Certainly there are some lessons to be learned in this day of modern technology aw well as demonstrating how
a child's behavior and moral compass can be a reflection of that which is seen in the parent.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 19, 2013
Wow. Wooooow. This book is ridiuclously well-written. Intense, rich, suspense spun continually throughout..I couldn't put it down. The content will make you shake your head a few times, and reconsider leaving the house. The beauty is in (Spolier Alert) the duality of a couple that seems so normal...at first. Wowza. Paul's brutal self-awareness and keen observation is really the key to the story. Just a scathing story.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 2, 2013
Dull. Such potential.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 22, 2013
The characters appear normal and end up, without giving away the ending, totally bizarre and dysfunctional.
The narrator/father Paul initially appears as a common, well-adjusted middle class parent. would love to ask the author if he intentionally presented Paur as unfeeling, cruel, cold, violent facist who feels some persons do not deserve to live because they are weak, poor, a burden to society. Paul himself is diagnosed as mentally ill. Was he commenting on contemporary society?
There is just a lot going on including family ties, genetics, societial values. I didn't see it as just a book about families and protecting children.
I read this book in several days and didn't want to put it down.
A very enjoyable, edgy book. The dinner setting for most of the book was interesting.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 20, 2013
This book is so ordinary and then so upsetting at the same time. magnificent writing. i'm physically sick after reading it, but that is a good thing! very powerful
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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