“[…] You stink, piano teacher, you just can’t imagine how bad you stink.”

Jelinek manages to take a fantastic set of characters and a challenging, thought-provoking plot and make it the most sloggish, pretentious, meandering novel I’ve ever read. Don’t even bother with this, watch the movie instead. And that’s so moronic of me to say, but I’m really beside myself. I am usually appreciative of the qualities of both mediums- The Shining for example is both an amazing book, and film with equal merit in both. Sadly, there is no merit whatsoever to this book, point blank period. The way Jelinek writes seems as if she’s intentionally toying with the reader’s patience, and frankly, I don’t have the time for that. The prose is erosive and grating, very very tough to read. Also- a SHOCKING amount of piss play. No thank you!

PS, never use the word “asparagus” in reference to man’s genitalia. 

incredibly well crafted, not really enjoyable to read

While I consider this book to be five stars, it's also one I'd find difficult to recommend. It is a neurotic book which shows in its narration- no dialogues, only narration. I thought that it's an excellent narrative device which helps separate the exterior from the interior. While things do happen and are described, it is the things that happen within the characters' heads that are far more important and which the novel is far more concerned with. 

The sexual content does not serve to titillate, but to further explore the psychology of the main character, Erika. Her deep repression and oppression at the hands of her mother left her psyche deeply twisted and manifested into her desires. Desire in this novel is violent and destructive. Erika's desire often shows itself through violence, because in her mind, it is a way to escape from her domineering mother. Her relationship with her student too, is an escape, from her mother and from unfulfilled dreams and desires as an artist.

The writing style highlights all of these well. By not having any dialogue, it shifts the focus from things happening to the characters' reactions as things happen. It is energetic and almost neurotic. Metaphorical language is used to show how deeply Erika is repressed and how tied she is to her mother's apron strings. 

In the end, I truly liked this book despite how disturbing it was and how uncomfortable it made me. It is the kind of psychological deep dives into flawed, unlikeable characters that I enjoy, and for that, I give it five stars.