Der Hydrograf • Allard Schröder

Sometimes I circle around a book for quite a while before deciding to get it and read it. In this case, the title and the publisher were quite tempting. The description also sounded promising, but somehow it didn’t fully draw me in. At some point, though, I couldn’t resist any longer and picked up the book. Since it’s just under 200 pages, it falls into the category of a quick read for in between. Whether this quick read is worth it, you’ll find out in the following lines.

Franz von Karsch is in his early thirties, a hydrographer and researcher, who leaves his institute in Hamburg to embark on a long sea voyage in search of a formula to predict wave movements. The destination of the Posen is Valparaíso in Chile, on the other side of the world. For Franz, however, the destination itself is not what matters—it’s the journey that counts. And that in more ways than one. Gradually, the reader gets to know Franz, as Schröder repeatedly inserts flashbacks to the past of this scion of a wealthy noble family from Pomerania. It quickly becomes clear what a dull and mediocre fellow Franz is. He is aware of this himself, and so we follow a man who is anything but a hero. When Franz meets a mysterious and beautiful woman aboard the ship, the journey becomes, for this hesitant man trained in obedience and duty, something of a voyage of self-discovery.

What could have turned into a truly exciting story based on this setup proves instead to be a steady current in which the plot, much like the character of its protagonist, develops only very slowly. Two other passengers play a crucial role—their encounters with Franz have a strong influence on the course of events. Schröder creates an interesting character that stands apart from familiar archetypes. Through flashbacks and depictions of past scenes from Franz’s life, as well as through the way he reacts to the other passengers, Schröder piece by piece paints the portrait of a possible human life. A disoriented character, torn between a declining aristocracy, a sense of duty, and his own desires—yet seemingly lacking the courage to break free from rigid structures. Each passenger carries a secret of their own, which Franz gradually uncovers and which, in turn, transforms him—above all, that of the mysterious woman.

Typical for a book published by Mare Verlag, the sea plays a central role. Unfortunately, we learn very little about the actual work of a hydrographer—a marine researcher who measures and analyzes the sea and the seabed. Instead, Schröder uses the sea, the moods of the open water, the weather, and the impressions of the voyage as a mirror to Franz’s inner life, illustrating his emotions through these natural elements. I found this very well done and thoroughly enjoyed many of the descriptions.

Stylistically, the book is pleasant to read and employs an omniscient narrative perspective that reveals Franz’s inner thoughts while maintaining a factual distance—something that fits his personality very well. Toward the end, there is a short passage in which the narration shifts away from Franz’s perspective to describe him externally. Over the course of the book, one gets a clear sense of how Franz thinks and feels. Overall, it’s neither minimalist nor dense nor linguistically extravagant—an accessible and balanced read.

Allard Schröder is a Dutch author, and The Hydrogapher is his third novel, which was awarded the AKO Literature Prize. In the Netherlands, the book became a bestseller.

Conclusion: Overall, I found the story entertaining, but it didn’t captivate or excite me. Franz is too colorless a character, and the other passengers aren’t particularly likable either. The story also lacks notable suspense. What does work very well, however, is the portrayal of the sea and how Schröder continually links it to Franz’s inner life. The strength of this novel lies in its characterization of an average man—a portrayal that feels authentic and convincingly depicts a personality through the described life path, thoughts, and emotions. As a short, diverting read, the book is certainly recommendable, but readers shouldn’t expect grand emotions, passion, or a gripping love story.

Book information: Der Hydrograf • Allard Schröder • Mare Verlag • 274 pages • ISBN 9783866482623