Back in 2015, I reviewed Robert Seethaler’s A Whole Life, a beautifully written novella about a man who’d barely left his mountain hamlet, revealing the richness of even the simplest of lives. The following year’s The Tobacconist, set in Vienna in the months before Hitler annexed Austria, was equally striking raising high hopes for his new novel, The Field, with its intriguing premise of telling the story of a small town through the voices of its dead.
He thought that perhaps a person could only really pass judgement on their life once they had gone through death
An elderly man visits the place the townspeople still call the field, daily. He knew more than a few of those buried there and sometimes he’s sure he hears them talking but can never make out what they’re saying. What follows are the thoughts, memories and stories of those laid to rest in the unfarmable land that became part of Paulstadt’s cemetery thanks to a dubious deal between the mayor and the farmer, both now amongst its residents. Some of the dead remember their childhood, others the happiest day of their lives; some remember how they died, others who they loved. Slowly the story of the town emerges through their voices: the priest who burnt down the church with himself in it; the leisure centre, built on ground that couldn’t support it, that collapsed killing three of the town’s citizens; the florist who lay dead in her shop for weeks before being found. As in life, some of the dead have a great deal to say, others very little, and some are notable by their absence.
No one came to my hundred-and-fifth. Even I wasn’t fully there. I was dreaming everything by then
Seethaler brings the same understanding of the richness of everyday life to this novel that made A Whole Life so satisfying. Each voice is distinct, some suffused with longing others laced with humour – Sophie Breyer’s one-word contribution made me laugh out loud. Several are inconclusive or oblique, as if they’re unable to bear what comes next in their story. Some lives are cut poignantly short while one, my favourite, is one hundred and five years long. It ends with a memory of Richard Regnier whose name has cropped up throughout but whose voice remains unheard, the mystery of what happened to him unsolved. Regret, sorrow, love, happiness, revenge, dishonesty, loneliness, misunderstanding, greed – all human life is here so to speak. Another thoroughly enjoyable, skilfully wrought piece of fiction from Seethaler filled with compassion and wit, expertly translated by Charlotte Collins.
Picador: London 9781529008050 240 pages Hardback
I’ll be writing my reviw of this one soon. Thought it was such an intriguing and effective way of telling the story of a community. A German blogger compared and contrasted it with Reservoir 13.
That hadn’t occurred to me but I can see why it came to mind. I’ll look forward to your review.
Thank you. I loved The Tobacconist so look forward to reading this one.
You’re welcome. I hope you love it as much as I did.
So looking forward to this. I loved A Whole Life and Charlotte Collins is such a great translator.
Isn’t she? I’d read anything translated by her.
I’m am still haunted by A Whole Life which I read over a year ago now. Thanks for drawing my attention to his later novels. They sound well worth reading
You’re welcome, Caroline. I hope you enjoy them when you get to them. Seethaler’s a quietly magnificent writer.
ooh – this sounds great! Haven’t read anything by him. Should I start with this one?
He’s a brilliant writer, Kerry! I’d start with A Simple Life but all three are excellent
What an intruiging premise. The Field sounds rather poignant, an interesting way of portraying the life of a community.
Such a clever idea. Seethaler carries it off beautifully and although it is poignant it’s surprisingly funny at times, too.
Sadly, I was somewhat out on a limb with my response to A Whole Life, which makes me wonder what I might have missed. A friend loved it though, so I shall pass this along.
Ah well, it would be very dull if we all had the same taste! I hope your friend loves this one, too, Jacqui.
So interesting! I’ve not read any of his works, and I do remember seeing mixed responses. But this sounds fascinating – I may well give this a try if I come across it!
I hope you become a convert if you do. I’m a major fan, as you’ve probably gathered.
Seethaler is a quietly wonderful writer, isn’t he? I’ve adored his previous books and pre-ordered this one, which arrived yesterday. Such an interesting way of telling a community’s story.
You’ve a treat in store, Kath. ‘Quietly wonderful’ nails it.
What an interesting way to tell a story! This one will go immediately to my list!
Delighted to hear that, Naomi. Hope you’ll be able to get your hands on a copy.
Our libraries don’t have it yet, but his other two are there so I’m optimistic!
How fortunate for you that one of your favourite “lives” was one of the longest too! I think I’ve mentioned this on one of your earlier posts referencing him, but he really intrigues me.
She was a hoot! He’s a fine author, well worth investigating, Marcie.
I also loved A Whole Life and its praise for the simple life. It looks like The Field comes out here in the States in the fall, so I’ll definitely be on the watch for it. Thanks for mentioning The Tobacconist. I’m ordering that from my local bookshop today!
Delighted to hear that, and pleased to hear that The Field will be published in the States. It’s been a pleasure to see how much attention it seems to be getting here.
Pingback: Robert Seethaler: The Field, transl. Charlotte Collins – findingtimetowrite