Dr. Martin Rundkvist is a Swedish archaeologist, journal editor, public speaker, skeptic, atheist, lefty liberal, bookworm, and father of two.
One thing I missed was a richer backdrop of chronological and topical reference points tying the story to the post-war history of our own or some alternative world. As it is, the narrative kind of floats in a timeless and anonymous late 20th century, where the only things and people mentioned by name are Karnezis's fictional creations.
I know next to nothing about Onassis, and I have little doubt that the book is packed with in-jokes obvious to the knowledgeable reader. Yet Karnezis kept my interest adequately stoked, mainly through a conflict introduced early in the book (and set out in the back-cover blurb) whose resolution he withholds until the final pages. The tone of the writing is detached and suave, the style austere. And that is my main complaint: hardly anything in the novel is exciting or engaging or challenging, be it emotionally or intellectually. This book will not affect your blood pressure.
Karnezis, Panos. 2007. The Birthday Party
. London: Cape. 264 pp. ISBN 987-0224-07932-7.
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