3 X Handke

this is early work of handke's which, judging by its sales rating, isn't so popular. just why this is - well, it's a mystery to me; this is not merely his best work, but it's the work which has made him one of the great german novelists of the past century. these three short novels (the goalie's anxiety at the penalty kick; short letter, long farewell; a sorrow beyond dreams) capture handke at his experimental best - breaking down language as he breaks down character - while also providing incrediblly piercing psychological insight. though his words weave webs (chunky webs), instead of being lost, the reader begins to appreciate a new sense of language, thereby openning new understanding toward character and psychology. goalie is the most difficult and most rewarding, but all three hold up well to handke's hard-handed word play. these novels also clearly benefit from the discoveries handke had made with his early stage works self accusation and offending the audience. though the book may prove a little difficult to find i recommend it.