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\u2014their encounters with Franz have a strong influence on the course of events. Schr\u00f6der creates an interesting character that stands apart from familiar archetypes. Through flashbacks and depictions of past scenes from Franz\u2019s life, as well as through the way he reacts to the other passengers, Schr\u00f6der 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\u2014yet 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\u2014above all, that of the mysterious woman.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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\u2014a marine researcher who measures and analyzes the sea and the seabed. Instead, Schr\u00f6der uses the sea, the moods of the open water, the weather, and the impressions of the voyage as a mirror to Franz\u2019s inner life, illustrating his emotions through these natural elements. I found this very well done and thoroughly enjoyed many of the descriptions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Stylistically, the book is pleasant to read and employs an omniscient narrative perspective that reveals Franz\u2019s inner thoughts while maintaining a factual distance\u2014something that fits his personality very well. Toward the end, there is a short passage in which the narration shifts away from Franz\u2019s perspective to describe him externally. Over the course of the book, one gets a clear sense of how Franz thinks and feels. Overall, it\u2019s neither minimalist nor dense nor linguistically extravagant\u2014an accessible and balanced read.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Allard Schr\u00f6der is a Dutch author, and The Hydrogapher<\/em> is his third novel, which was awarded the AKO Literature Prize. In the Netherlands, the book became a bestseller.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Conclusion:<\/strong> Overall, I found the story entertaining, but it didn\u2019t captivate or excite me. Franz is too colorless a character, and the other passengers aren\u2019t particularly likable either. The story also lacks notable suspense. What does work very well, however, is the portrayal of the sea and how Schr\u00f6der continually links it to Franz\u2019s inner life. The strength of this novel lies in its characterization of an average man\u2014a 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\u2019t expect grand emotions, passion, or a gripping love story.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Book information:<\/strong> Der Hydrograf<\/em> \u2022 Allard Schr\u00f6der \u2022 Mare Verlag \u2022 274 pages \u2022 ISBN 9783866482623<\/p>\r\n\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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\u2019t fully draw me in. At some point, though, I couldn\u2019t resist any longer and picked up the … <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.lesestunden.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/der_hydrograf_1.jpg\")
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