Billiards at Half-Past Nine

from snash

I had to use Wikipedia to figure out the point of view for each chapter but once I did that, everything was clear. It's a look at the effect of Germany's history upon a family; how the violence and hate leaves them without any bearings. Each member finds his own way to cope. It actually only beco...

from Cat-Lib

A complex story, which I found difficult at first but slowly it grew on me. Left me with a rather depressing view of humanity.

from elenchus

In the passage of a single day and the interactions of three generations, Böll gathers the themes of postwar Germany. Böll says so much in so little plot. It is a novel of characters and significance, not of events or revelation: what at first seems a secret, parceled out carefully across thirtee...

from elenchus

In the passage of a single day and the interactions of three generations, Böll gathers the themes of postwar Germany. Böll says so much in so little plot. It is a novel of characters and significance, not of events or revelation: what at first seems a secret, parceled out carefully across thirtee...

from sgerbic

Reviewed May 2006 Wonderful book once you understand Boll's style and chart who is who, the author really draws you into the story. You learn about these people's very confused and stressful lives. The story focuses n the Faehmel family living in Cologne Germany and the effects of WWII on them. A...