First Impression Friday will be a meme where you talk about a book that you JUST STARTED! Maybe you’re only a chapter or two in, maybe a little farther. Based on this sampling of your current read, give a few impressions and predict what you’ll think by the end.

Synopsis:

Previously available in the United States only in an abridged version, I’m Not Stiller is now published for the first time in its entirety. It is the haunting story – part Kafka, part Camus – of a man in prison. His wife, brother, and mistress recognize him and call him by his name, Anatol Ludwig Stiller. But he rejects them, repeatedly insisting he’s not Stiller. Could he possibly be right – or is he deliberately trying to shake off his old identity and assume a new one?

It is the weekend again! Well, technically, the weekend is about to draw to a close. Nevertheless, I hope everyone had a restful weekend. Apologies for this late update. I had to rush last Friday night as I had an early flight the following day. I am currently in Japan; it is, in a way, my own celebration of my birthday, albeit late. You see, being born close to the middle of the year is not a good one for any accountant. It is close to the end of the first half of the year and also the end of the second quarter of the year. This only entails several reporting requirements. Nevertheless, I am glad I was able to make it through another hectic half-year end and quarter-end. Now, it is time for me to unwind and catch up on the lost leisure time. This is also a time for me to reflect, not only to relax.

I just realized that July is nearly over. I keep seeing memes about how the month is in a rush. I also noticed it. Time is such a construct as it flows at its own pace, regardless if we will be able to catch up with it. Anyway, I hope that everyone is having a great month. Reading-wise, July is an extension of my foray into the works of European literature. This is the third consecutive month I have read works of European literature; toward the end of June, I realized I still have a lot of books from this part of the literary world that I wanted to read. I also have some books from my reading challenges I needed to read. Since I started the journey, my venture into European literature enthralled me, transporting me to various parts of the continent, and making me experience and appreciate various cultures. It also allowed me to explore the oeuvres of writers whose works I have not explored before while, at the same time, reintroducing me to familiar ones.

Among the new names that this journey introduced to me is Swiss writer Max Frisch; unfortunately, Swiss literature is one part of the literary world that I have to explore more. It was through must-read lists that I first encountered him and when I encountered one of his works – I’m Not Stiller – through an online bookseller, I did not hesitate to buy it. Besides, I am always up for a new literary adventure. Not only is I’m Not Stiller a part of my ongoing foray into European literature it is also one of the books in my 2024 Top 24 Reading List; it is the 17th book from the list I have read. It is also one of the 1,001 Books You Must Read Before You Die; it is my goal to read at least 20 books from the aforementioned list this year. Basically, with the book, I am hitting several birds; it is also my goal to read more translated works this year.

Originally published in 1954 in German, the novel is narrated by a man named James Larkin White. An American citizen – or at least he was carrying an American passport – he was arrested upon his arrival in Switzerland under the accusation that he was the missing Swiss sculptor Anatol Ludwig Stiller. White vehemently refuted this claim. However, his denial of the accusations fell on deaf ears and he was incarcerated. This lawyer doesn’t believe him. The Swiss authorities don’t believe him. His cynicism, especially towards his lawyer, was not helping his case. No one believes him, except perhaps for his warden. I get on the surface that he was a case of an unreliable narrator. Who could White run to when everyone was going against him?

White, nevertheless, remained levelheaded, except perhaps during his moments of extreme cynicism. He was able to build a backstory for himself and yet no one believes him. I guess because his backstory is too ludicrous; it includes confessing to killing his own wife. It was also not helping his case that Stiller’s dossier was with the police. The authorities were able to contact people from Stiller’s life who were able to confirm that White and Stiller were indeed one and the same. The most damning piece of evidence came from Stiller’s wife Julika Stiller-Tschudy, a former ballet dancer who now runs a dance school. Traveling from Paris to visit him in prison, she was also able to confirm that White was indeed her estranged husband. These details are laid out in the first section of the novel. 

The second section of the novel shifts in perspective. Or it seems like White was narrating the story of Stiller. The story came in the form of a notebook, so White could have written Stiller’s story. Nevertheless, we learn more about Stiller. Stiller fought during the Spanish Civil War but his experience at the war proved he was a coward. He also cheated on his wife before he disappeared. It is up to this part that I have read so far and, so far, so good. The story makes me think and keeps me on the edge of my seat. Is White really who he professes to be? Or is there some plot twist waiting to be unraveled toward the end of the story? I can’t wait to see how the story pans out. I can’t also wait to read about the characters’ motivations.

How about you fellow reader? What book or books have you read over the weekend? I hope you get to enjoy whatever you are reading right now. Happy weekend!