- Paperback: 164 pages
- Publisher: Penguin Books; Reprint edition (12 Jan 2011)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 014311901X
- ISBN-13: 978-0143119012
- Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 13 x 1.2 cm
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 5,804,177 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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8 reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
I Wish I Had Known About This When it Was Published Years Ago!
17 Mar 2011
Format:Paperback
Unknown is a reprint of the 2004 published Out of My Head with the movie poster for a book cover and movie's name replacing the original title. I certainly missed knowing about the original book when it came out, so am glad the publishers did this, or I would have missed out on a great book. I haven't seen the movie so can't compare the two, however this is a very, very good book, a sort of Harlan Coben style plot where as a reader you go along with the narrator on his journey of confusion, frustration and every other feeling he goes through as he tries to discover what is going on and why it is happening to him. Basically the plot revolves around Martin Harris, a brilliant botanist scientist, whose about to revolutionise the world with his work, that's why he just moved to Paris with his wife. However he's involved in a taxi crash which leaves him in a coma for three days. No one comes to visit him during the recovery days which is a little annoying, but nothing compared to the stress Martin goes through when he knocks on his door and another man is living in his apartment. The angry man claims to be him and his wife supports this. Since Martin never got to know his new neighbours they along with the police all assume Martin is some sort of con artist or escaped mental patient. Martin knows who he is and is determined to prove this fact and reclaim his life.
This is a short read, a novella of 164 pages that you just won't want to put down. The ending comes and wraps up quickly in just a few pages, which is my only criticism of what up to then I would have labelled one of the best books I've read in a long time. It also sort of feels rushed in coming up as a how to end this brilliant up to then story solution. I'm interested now in checking out the movie just to see if it ends a bit better and clearer than the book.
This is a short read, a novella of 164 pages that you just won't want to put down. The ending comes and wraps up quickly in just a few pages, which is my only criticism of what up to then I would have labelled one of the best books I've read in a long time. It also sort of feels rushed in coming up as a how to end this brilliant up to then story solution. I'm interested now in checking out the movie just to see if it ends a bit better and clearer than the book.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
captivating mystery
11 Mar 2011
Format:Paperback
Unknown by Dieter van Cauwelaert is a psychological thriller that revolves around Martin Harris--an American botanist who arrives in Paris for a conference, only for his taxi to get into an accident which leads Harris into a coma. After waking up from his coma, Harris goes up to where he's staying with his wife, only to see that another man has taken his place and is claiming to be the botanist Martin Harris.
Ok, so this came out in the movie theaters recently with Liam Neeson starring as Martin Harris, January Jones as the wife, and Helen Kruger as the taxi driver. Also the movie takes place in Berlin instead of Paris. But nevertheless, I'm always interested in what makes one book into a movie, while other books remain books. And reading the story, I can understand why Hollywood came calling.
First of all, the core of the book is a deep psychological mystery. What's it like to have another person living your life? Having the exact same childhood, spouse, and profession? At first glance, this may seem like a science fiction type set-up. But the good thing about this story is there's no fantasy involved. Everything is very real. The story pulls you in, and you walk alongside Harris--feeling the same emotions of confusion and anger as he does. The author makes it clear that something sinister is going on, but keeps you clueless until the end.
Another good aspect of this book were the characters. As the main character, Martin Harris is sympathetic. As he runs to the police and tries to speak to his wife, no one believes him, except for the taxi driver--another sympathetic character who is a single mother and in danger of losing her taxi license after the crash. In balance to the sympathetic characters, we have the shadowy characters--like Harris' wife, and Martin Harris #2.
Overall, this was a decent European thriller. It's super short and quick to read. There's no superfluous information, it's all about the main plot. For me, it was an enjoyable read. Looking forward to seeing the movie.
Ok, so this came out in the movie theaters recently with Liam Neeson starring as Martin Harris, January Jones as the wife, and Helen Kruger as the taxi driver. Also the movie takes place in Berlin instead of Paris. But nevertheless, I'm always interested in what makes one book into a movie, while other books remain books. And reading the story, I can understand why Hollywood came calling.
First of all, the core of the book is a deep psychological mystery. What's it like to have another person living your life? Having the exact same childhood, spouse, and profession? At first glance, this may seem like a science fiction type set-up. But the good thing about this story is there's no fantasy involved. Everything is very real. The story pulls you in, and you walk alongside Harris--feeling the same emotions of confusion and anger as he does. The author makes it clear that something sinister is going on, but keeps you clueless until the end.
Another good aspect of this book were the characters. As the main character, Martin Harris is sympathetic. As he runs to the police and tries to speak to his wife, no one believes him, except for the taxi driver--another sympathetic character who is a single mother and in danger of losing her taxi license after the crash. In balance to the sympathetic characters, we have the shadowy characters--like Harris' wife, and Martin Harris #2.
Overall, this was a decent European thriller. It's super short and quick to read. There's no superfluous information, it's all about the main plot. For me, it was an enjoyable read. Looking forward to seeing the movie.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
That's it? Really?
4 Sep 2011
Through the first 100 or so pages of this book I kept thinking to myself - boy I can't wait to lend this out to my friends! They'll love it! But after finishing the entire novella, I think this one will be staying on my shelf. Not because it was a great book, but because I can't see myself recommending it to anyone.
The first 100 pages (about 3/4 of the book) WERE great. The author uses a stream of consciousness style of writing that sucks the reader in. It's a true suspense story - the reader meets a man just out of a coma who learns someone has taken over his identity. The who, what, when, where and why are begging to be answered... but when they are, the reader is left with a "that's it, really?" feeling. Which is a shame.
The first 100 pages (about 3/4 of the book) WERE great. The author uses a stream of consciousness style of writing that sucks the reader in. It's a true suspense story - the reader meets a man just out of a coma who learns someone has taken over his identity. The who, what, when, where and why are begging to be answered... but when they are, the reader is left with a "that's it, really?" feeling. Which is a shame.
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