Plot summary, “The Appointment” by Herta Müller in 5 Minutes - Book Review
1"The Appointment" is a novel written by Herta Müller, a Romanian-born German author and Nobel laureate in Literature. It was originally published in 1997 under the German title "Heute wär ich mir lieber nicht begegnet," which translates to "Today I Would Rather Not Have Met Myself." The English translation by Michael Hulse and Philip Boehm was published in 2001.
Set in Romania during the final years of the Communist regime, "The Appointment" follows the life of the unnamed female protagonist, a young factory worker who is summoned for an interrogation by the secret police, the Securitate. The narrative weaves between her present experiences and her past, revealing the oppressive and paranoid atmosphere of living under a totalitarian regime.
The protagonist grapples with fear, surveillance, and betrayal as she navigates her daily life. She is constantly aware of the ever-present threat of the Securitate and the consequences of saying or doing the wrong thing. Throughout the novel, Müller explores themes of political oppression, fear, and the effects of totalitarianism on individuals and their relationships.
"The Appointment" is known for its lyrical and evocative prose, as well as its fragmented narrative structure. Müller's writing style often employs poetic language and employs metaphors and symbols to convey the emotional and psychological landscape of the protagonist. The novel delves into the inner world of the narrator, portraying her fears, anxieties, and the constant sense of being watched.
Herta Müller received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2009 for her body of work, which includes "The Appointment." Her writing is often characterized by its exploration of themes such as identity, language, and the effects of political oppression. "The Appointment" stands as a powerful and haunting portrayal of life under a repressive regime and the psychological toll it takes on individuals.