On a cold night in Holland, Max Delius - a hedonistic, yet brilliant astronomer who loves fast cars, nice clothes and women - picks up Onno Quist, a cerebral chaotic philologist who cannot bear the banalities of everyday life. They are like fire andwater. But when they learn they were conceived on the same day, it is clear that something extraordinary is about to happen. Their worlds become inextricably intertwined, as they embark on a life's journey destined to change the course of human history. A magnum opus that is also a masterful thriller.
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Product Description
About the Author
Harry Mulisch was born in Holland and is author of the international best-seller THE ASSAULT, which has been translated into 22 languages and an award winning screenplay. He lives in Amsterdam.
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First Sentence
At the stroke of midnight I contrived a short-circuit. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
At the stroke of midnight I contrived a short-circuit. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Being Dutch, I was able to enjoy this novel in its original language, and I loved it. You may not know this but, in Holland Harry Mulish is regarded as one of the best writers of our time. It is pleasing to see that this book brings Dutch literature to the attention of the international public. It certainly derserves the credit. Check out other Dutch writers, such as Hella Haasse, Tim Krabbé, Margriet de Moor or Leon de Winter. Enjoy.
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
There is enough material in The Discovery of Heaven to fill several books, and a writer of lesser integrity might have split the phases of Ada, Max, Onno, Sophia and Quinten's lives into separate volumes. Instead, Mulisch expertly, if sometimes jarringly, even violently, welds them together using what would otherwise have been cliffhanger endings as startling links between episodes of quite different flavours. This literary device is crucial to the plot; it reflects the experiences and informs the reactions of the characters with precision. It is only one aspect of this intelligent novel which delights, intrigues and challenges at all levels.
It is a very Dutch story and I was repeatedly reminded of my several Dutch friends throughout. I was especially pleased with Max's humanity -- as an astronomer myself, it was refreshing to find such a character with infinitely more depth than an inappropriate white lab-coat.
The story is a fantasy of grand design, set in a tangibly real world with convincing, larger-than-life characters, resulting in fiction which carries more truth than its fair share. There are no mundane details and the character's every act is touched with subtle significance. A read to add richness to any life.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Although some readers think it is a big, weighty tome, covering the big themes (philosophy, sex, the holocaust, politics) it is absolutely worth one's time and effort. This is a superb book, and I recommend it highly.
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4.3 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great book
A great book.
After finishing it I went out a bought the Torah -- which I read cover to cover.
After finishing it I went out a bought the Torah -- which I read cover to cover.
Published on 22 Sep 2010 by Kirk
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Read
I picked up a second hand version of this book off Amazon on the recommendation of a Dutch colleague. Read more
Published on 10 Dec 2009 by Sharad
2.0 out of 5 stars
Overstuffed with disparate themes
The fullest review I have read of this book on Amazon is by Damian Kelleher (22 October 2007), and I suggest you read his review before you read mine, for that saves me from having... Read more
Published on 15 July 2009 by Ralph Blumenau
4.0 out of 5 stars
Rich in ideas and culture, but ultimately disappointing
The Discovery of Heaven is packed with felicitous turns of phrase, insights, and cultural allusions. Read more
Published on 13 May 2008 by James Joyce
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Discovery of Heaven
Two angels are conversing. Apparently, Francis Bacon - the 16th century scientist credited with establishing, among other things, the scientific methodology known as the 'Baconian... Read more
Published on 22 Oct 2007 by Damian Kelleher
5.0 out of 5 stars
An philosophical exploration and epic journey!
This is a great novel and, for me, everything that a novel should be; characters that develop within an immense plot, an epic journey and an exploration of philosophy, pyschology... Read more
Published on 23 Aug 2006 by MEB
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best book ever
This is probably the best book I have ever read. I had always been rather hesitant to start this book because of its size and the prospect of it being a very complex book as Mulish... Read more
Published on 7 April 2006
5.0 out of 5 stars
Splendid magic-realistic dutch novel
As other customers already mentioned, I agree that this novel reminds me to the works of Umberto Eco. Read more
Published on 15 Jan 2002
5.0 out of 5 stars
Possibly my favorite read ....
Somehow I initially struggled to get into this one, much in the manner of rather weighty books with small typeface and a 'relatively' slow start. Read more
Published on 8 Jan 2002
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great fun, bizarre plotting...
This is an excellent book. I bought it on the basis of a recommendation from someone who had also enjoyed Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco and was not disappointed. Read more
Published on 18 Aug 2001 by Nick Richards
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