Where do I find my books? In this case it found me. Crouching in a bookshop, I steadied myself with a hand on the stacks, literally finding this book in my hands. Peter Stamm is a Swiss writer of such acclaim, he was nominated for the Booker Prize in 2013 for his entire body of work. When you discover excellent writing, you want to read everything regardless of subject, and I proceeded to read Stamm's novels back to back.
On A Day Like This follows a familiar theme in his work; a crisis of banality, a journey into meaning. Andreas lives in Paris and sleeps with several women, married and single. He fondly recalls a youthful summer in his Swiss hometown, spent with is best friend and a girl he longed for, Fabienne. Anxious while awaiting biopsy test results, he follows the urge to quit his job, leaves his Paris apartment, and travels back to his family home - hoping to reunite with her. Although he brings along his latest girlfriend, and Fabienne is now married with children, he still believes they have a chance for a relationship after all these years.
Stamm is an exceptional writer, a pleasure to read. Sensitive and observant, his writing is fine tuned - very happy to have discovered him. This book is a keeper, happily residing on my shelf beside my favourite authors, happily read again, any time.
I find you can like a writer and his language but dislike his characters. I didn't agree with Andreas, I found him delusional and myopic. You can dream about the past and think what if, but must realize you are in a different place now. His mindset is childish, and the desire to capture a young love is preventing him from beginning a new adult relationship. To bring your current girlfriend on this adventure is ridiculous. However, I'm don't have to like him to love the novels of Peter Stamm. His characters are often erratic, but don't hesitate to enjoy his fine style.
Directly finishing this, I began four other Stamm novels straight away.
2006 / Hardcover / 229 pages
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