The longest paragraph by Thomas Bernhard

I have been nursing the loser by thomas bernhard for quite some time now. I bought it because of the translator's disclaimer on the first page. To rephrase it, the translator says, Bernhard's style in German is full of complicated sentences with intentionally omitted punctuations and misused conjunctives and nooooo paragraphs. It is one run on paragraph. Haha I love it. Another Nietzsche I thought...

Bernhard's writing style reminds me of a contemporary Goethe with a sprinkle of Kafka. Which is so refreshing. But his narration is completely unique and absolutely wonderful.

The summary of the story is that there are three piano players (the narrator, Glenn Gould and Wertheimer) who meet at a conservatory in Austria. All three guys grow obsessed with one thing: Glenn Gould. And this obsession is the self denied conundrum of their life which consumes them to destruction.

The novel works so well as one rambling paragraph. Because the narrator in his repetitive, obsessive and self absorbed writing draws circles and reveals his true personality while describing his two pianist friends and attempts to leave himself out. The narrator digs himself deep into self doubt and frustration as he repeatedly thinks about Glenn Gould, and criticizes Wertheimer for his shortcomings, his narration reveals his insecurities against his words that claim to have self awareness.

It is amazing how Bernhard can make you read about something that is typically not something people are interested in: 3 pianists from 50 years ago who live in Austria. At a first glance you think reading Beethoven's biography might be a better use of your time but believe me Bernhard knows how to capture you.