Night Work (German: Die Arbeit der Nacht) is a 2006 novel by Austrian writer Thomas Glavinic. The book was translated into English in 2008 by John Brownjohn for Edinburgh-based publisher Canongate.
.jpg) UK paperback edition | |
| Author | Thomas Glavinic |
|---|---|
| Original title | Die Arbeit der Nacht |
| Translator | John Brownjohn |
| Language | German |
| Genre | Literary fiction |
| Publisher | Hanser (Germany) Canongate (UK) |
Publication date | 2006 |
| Publication place | Austria |
Published in English | 2008 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover and paperback) |
| Pages | 400 (Germany) 386 (UK) |
| ISBN | 978-1-84767-051-9 |
| OCLC | 442553734 |
| Preceded by | Wie man leben soll |
| Followed by | Das bin doch ich |
Plot summary
editThe novel, set in modern-day Vienna, is a post-apocalyptic exploration around themes of solitude and existential philosophy.
The plot concerns a central character, Jonas, who wakes up one day to discover that everyone else has vanished from the city, perhaps the world, without trace; he appears to be the only person left.
As he attempts to discover what could possibly explain such a situation, the days pass and he begins to realise that he is performing strange activities when asleep. A struggle ensues as Jonas tries to control his unconscious actions while he continues to search in vain for other human life.
Critical reception
editThe UK edition received a generally positive reception from critics. The Guardian referred to the book as being “at times genuinely horrific” because of the author’s skill in manipulating the “reader's constant anxiety that [he] won't, indeed can't, deliver a solution to his own mystery”.[1] The Independent claimed that the novel, “functions both as an outstanding fictionalisation of Freud's essay The Uncanny, and as a superior literary thriller packed with invention and suspense”.[2] The Scotland on Sunday said it was “strong on intrigue” and “seriously frightening”.[3]
References
edit- Glavinic, Thomas (2008-07-25), Night Work (1st ed.), Edinburgh: Canongate ISBN 978-1-84767-051-9
- ^ "Review: I am legend". The Guardian. 26 July 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
- ^ "Night Work, by Thomas Glavinic, trans John Brownjohn". The Independent. 11 August 2008. Archived from the original on 2022-06-21. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
- ^ "Book review: Night Work by Thomas Glavinic". Scotland on Sunday. 11 August 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2011.