Customer Reviews

The Discovery of Heaven

5 star:		(40)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Two angels are conversing. Apparently, Francis Bacon - the 16th century scientist credited with establishing, among other things, the scientific methodology known as the 'Baconian Method' - made a pact with the devil, which caused humanity to lose their way with God, instead embracing the more vapid realm of technological progress; gadgets, as it were. God is convinced that the covenant between heaven and earth is broken and has charged the angels with retrieving the original stone tablets that contain the Ten Commandments as handed down by God to Moses on the summit of Mount Sinai. To do this, a perfect human must be created - the angels intervene with twentieth century history to ensure that this occurs.

A complicated setup, to be sure. Happily, for at least the first half of the novel, the heavy theological implications of The Discovery of Heaven do not weigh the novel down. Rather, we are invited into the intelligence, artistic and creative world that is the friendship of Onno Quist and Max Delius.

They were conceived on the same day, but are completely different. Onno is hugely intelligent, but suffers from a mind that is too rarefied for the concrete harshness of the world. A savant when it comes to languages, Onno made his name in the world of linguistics by translating Etruscan. 'It was because I made Etruscan comprehensible. The greatest minds in the world had failed - even Professor Massimo Pellegrini in Rome was too stupid - so I thought I may as well do it.' For now, he studies obscure topics and lives comfortable on the interest from his father's inheritance.

Max Delius lost his parents at a very young age during World War II. His mother was a Jew; she met a predictably sad end in a concentration camp. His father was a Dutch officer in the German army, it was his hand that indirectly caused the death of his wife. As a result of this, Max lives his life convinced that at any time, the people that he holds close could leave him. He is an astronomer, spending his free time seducing a string of random women who mean nothing at all.

But when they meet by chance when Onno is hitching a ride home to Amsterdam (a meeting assisted by the unseen hand of an angel), something immediately clicks. From this random encounter comes a friendship that is strong beyond anything they have experienced before. 'Max had never met anyone like Onno, Onno had never met anyone like Max - as a self-proclaimed pair of twins, they did not cease to delight in each other.'

Once this relationship has solidified, a third party enters. Of course, she is a woman, but the novel does not take a predictable turn in having a rivalry for Ada Brons' hand dominate the story. No, she begins as Max's girlfriend and ends as Onno's wife, but the way in which this is handled never for a moment suggests a clash of will, a fight for love. Max is happy that Ada is with the one man in the world he loves without reservation, Onno is gently surprised that he could ever be married at all. Later, in Cuba, under ambiguous circumstances, Ada becomes pregnant - but to Max, or to Onno? It is not clear to them, though the angels make it clear for us.

After decades of work, the angels have maneuvered everything and everyone into place. Max, Onno and Ada were all required to be born to properly create the child who could return the tablets to Heaven, and this has now been accomplished. The first half of the novel is concerned not with this theological problem but with the sweet, endearing friendship between Max and Onno and, to a lesser extent, the bond they share with Ada.

Mulisch is adept at creating a believable adult-male friendship. Max and Onno are both very intelligent, able to bounce ideas and theories of one another on subjects ranging from Kafka to translation and everything in between. A discussion on the noticeable warmth left behind when someone has been sitting on a chair is particularly clever, and funny in its simple truth. While the two men generally discuss matters of history, philosophy, and the spectrum of ideas, there is never a sense that Mulisch is hitting us over the head with his cleverness. Rather, we can believe that we are listening to two intelligent men talking about whatever it is that intelligent people discuss. Unlike, say, a Pynchon or an Eco, conversations do not exist to flaunt the erudition of the author, but rather the character of the characters.

Midway through the novel, pre-arranged tragedy strikes. A very pregnant Ada is involved in a car accident, she falls into a coma from which the likelihood of recovery is slim. But her child is alive and, through the intricacies of modern medicine, is delivered healthy and safe at seven months, by cesarean. Thanks to a complicated narrative device, Max becomes the caretaker of the child, Quentin.

The novel shifts quite dramatically in tone. While Onno embroils himself within the intricacies of Dutch politics, Max raises Quinten, the child which embodies the hopes of the angels, and of God. From a intellectually rambling novel of friendship and adventure, comes a more sedate, measured story of a child's growth and education.

What do we learn of Quinten? He grows up in an old castle, populated with vaguely eccentric characters, each of which is capable of - and willing to - teach him snippets of information which will come to play a large part in his destiny. From one man he learns of Judaism, from another, architecture. He is a curious, sensitive, quiet boy; his stunning good looks inspire trust and warmth in others.

The Discovery of Heaven slows down dramatically as Quinten grows from a baby to a young adult of seventeen. Oddly, large parts of his childhood are glossed over, yet the sensation of a slow novel remains. This is neither to Mulisch's credit or detriment - the novel simply changes pace, a fact which is immediately noticeable from the end of the second part and the beginning of the third.

There is never any doubt that Quinten will achieve his goal - indeed, we are almost led to believe by the angels that the large majority of twentieth century history occurred so that Quinten could be born. This is not meant to be a thriller, though the pages turn with rapidity, due to Mulisch's skill with words and penchant for interesting asides and digressions.

Perhaps the greatest pleasure in The Discovery of Heaven comes from the consistently thought-provoking text. While the last two hundred pages are dominated with theological (both Catholic and Jewish) problems and ideas, there is enough non-theological meat to satisfy any curious reader. Max's interest in astronomy serves as a jumping point for all manner of mini-essays, and Onno's autodidactism is a treat in itself. Any event, any situation, any conversation, gives Mulisch a chance to allow his characters to shine with their insight and intelligence. The narrator, nominally Mulisch himself, is certainly not shy of following whichever intellectual path takes his fancy, though these are nowhere near as involved or involving as the problems the characters themselves raise and discuss.

The Discovery of Heaven is astonishingly ambitious. It tackles a great many themes, and handles all of them with intelligence and candour. Mulisch treats his readers with dignity by explaining every difficult concept in such a way that we feel neither insulted by our lack of knowledge, or that we are in over our heads as character's spout obscure factoids and ideas. While the novel may be too difficult or too long for some, it is unhesitatingly recommended for all others who crave the sort of writing that inspires, that questions, that encourages thought.

This is one of the best books I have read in years. The way it starts off, it reminds you of "it's a wonderful life", because there is these 2 guys in Heaven discussing how they manipulate our fate here on earth. As we leave heaven and enter the story, the characters of Max and Onno immediately involve you. They could not be more different and better matched at the same time and we breathlessly follow them through the beginnings of their friendship and their incredible discussions about life, music, history, philosophy, the universe. This is one of the greatest qualities of this book: in the discussions of Onno and Max, as well as in other casual settings in the book, Mulisch displays an impressive knowledge of history, philosophy, art, and music without ever sacrificing tension in his storyline. The reader just gobbles up this information without ever having the feeling of having been lectured. The story takes some very incredible turns that will make your jaw drop and read even faster, and when it is all over, you will be sorry you finished it so fast and immediately vow to read it again because you ran too fast through all those passages of sheer beauty in thought and writing.

Mulisch's "The Discovery of Heaven" is a beautiful novel... takes a good while to read and absorb the overflowing imagery and mindblowing brushes with the Dutch intellectuals, but to be simply put, it is inspiring. Max Delius and Onno Quist: bosom buddies (as you will learn upon reading) = the definition of true friedship, or as one may call it, Camaraderie. The travel, theology, science and history contained... enlightening. I may still be overwhelmed by the technique and detail that Mulisch had used to create this masterpiece. For any who have picked this novel up and put it down, I would highly recommend capturing what you have once let slip through your fingers. For potential readers skimming through the Amazon, you will be all the wiser for reading "The Discovery of Heaven".

With `The Discovery of Heaven' Mulisch is like an Olympic diver who attempts the most difficult dive imaginable and nearly nails it. Rarely are philosophy, theology, architecture and a host of other subjects presented so vividly in fiction. The introduction to the sweep of Mulisch's thought in the first third of the book left me giddy, not unlike how one feels upon meeting someone whose conversation challenges you to reexamine assumptions from airier heights. Nevertheless, at several of the book's turning points Mulisch seemed somewhat heavy-handed in the way he stretched the work's inner logic. Perhaps he is asking the reader not only to suspend disbelief but to step out of the boat in faith. There's a long stretch in the middle of the book where Mulisch sketches a bit too much detail in preparation for a final crescendo. However, faithful readers who forge ahead will be rewarded. While Mulisch's epic could not quite sustain its page-turning headiness from cover to cover, when I look back at the sparkling insights that Mulisch shared and how this novel covered perhaps more thematic ground than any novel I can recall in the last twenty years, I am left with awe and gratitude for what Mulisch conveyed along the way.

One of the best books I've read in many years!   Mulisch, a Dutchman, tells a fascinating, very European story about the convergence of the heavens to bring to life an unusual boy.   Conceived and raised collectively, his parents, Max, Onno, Ada, and Sophia (you must read to understand) are four of the more interesting personalities you'll find in any novel.  The novel is carefully divided into four parts (from the Beginning of the beginning to the End of the end) and is chock full of mystery and philosophical riddles.  Most important is the "mission" that this young man is destined to accomplish.  In a series of travels and impulses, the boy, in search of his father (to some extent) and something greater, seeks to find the realities to his architectural and spiritual visions in places like Rome and Jerusalem.  The Washington Post called this, "One of the most entertaining and profound philosophical novels ever written."  I highly recommend it!

I consider myself to be quite the fan of philosophical novels. From Hesse to Camus to just about anything with a commentary on life or mankind, I tend to devour the content. But this book had me overwhelmed. The diversity of its focus, the wittiness of the dialogue, and the profundity of its observations had me hooked from the first page. Because I work a job that allows many hours of reading time, I polished this off in 3 days. I find myself pining for Ada and wishing to contribute my own observations to a conversation with Max and Onno. The sign of an exceptional book, to me, is a feeling of emptiness when you reach the last page. That emptiness is upon me now and I'm hoping it will be filled with another of Mr. Mulisch's novels.

I've just finished this book this very evening, so a little distance may be needed to properly assess this novel. But I'm motivated to write a few impressions now, so here they are.
The inevitability or fated conclusion that drives the narrative of this novel reminds me very much of 'A Prayer for Owen Meany'. I'd have to say - at this moment - that this is the better of the two books, and that is very high praise indeed. I believe that Mulisch's story just flows a little better; at times I find Irving too contrived, with too much of an agenda. Perhaps Irving is a little stronger in developing nuances of character. In any case, if you liked Owen Meany, you will likely enjoy this book, and vice versa: fans of this book should give Owen Meany a try.
In some ways the ending of 'Discovery' was disappointing, in the same way that Irving can be. Both Irving and Mulisch are masterful storytellers, but there is not really that much insight from a spiritual, philosophical or existential perspective. Really more clever sophistry. One will not find here, the mimetic quality and insight of a Hardy, Tolstoy or Chekhov. Not to say that Mulisch is inferior to the canonized, just different. (And not to say he is not inferior). Still, the insight from a historical and socio-political perspective into post-modern life as it currently stands is considerable.
If you consider the novel apart from the brief explanatory metaphysical prologues, you are left with a very engaging story of 3 generations of characters trying to find some sense against the backdrop of some of the main events of the post-modern era. Mulisch vividly re-creates Cuba and Holland in the 60s and in the 80s, as well as our ongoing Holocaust hangover. Reliving these events through the lives of Mulisch's fascinating characters provides many pleasurable hours of reading. And the narrative is driven by a rapturous wonder at where the book is going, at how it will end. Instead of a "who-done-it?", it's more of a "why-is-it?".
Please don't let my reservations about the ending deter you from reading this wonderful novel. I think the book builds some grand expectations that simply can't be met at a deep level, but all the same, there are quite a few thrilling turns in the last pages of the novel.
Although generally 700 pages is much too long for a modern novel, this book is a notable exception.

Finally, a word about the reviews accusing Mulisch of misogyny. These formula attacks on various review sites are becoming as annoying as a Slammer worm; perhaps a rogue computer somewhere is assembling them. It is disingenuous, to say the least, to pass off the views and conversations of a novel's characters as either the viewpoint of the novel or of its author. Readers should be more concerned about Mulisch's slams against the province of Drenthe, "the Siberia of the Netherlands", according to Max. Perhaps unkind to Siberia also. (I was born near Drenthe in southern Groningen, and still have family there).

The book is a tribute to Mr. Mulisch'friend J.H. Donner, a famous Dutch chess player in the 60's and 70's. It's also a first class cultural and personal monument, dealing with the writer's life, the Bible, Rome, Edgar Allen Poe, angels and the end of the world. Mr. Harry Mulisch deserves the Nobel prize for literature. Thank you.

730 pages later, I can't say that I've had a more enjoyable, rewarding reading experience thus far. Mulisch's Discovery of Heaven is absolutely brilliant. Great symbolism, lovable characters, ideas that make your head spin, clever dialogue and more. It's one of those books that doesn't feel like a 700 pager and I almost didn't want it to end so that I could continue to revel in the world of Onno, Max, Ada and Quinten. With an elaborate story line that seems to twist into some other direction at every other chapter, the you just won't want to put it down. The book is dense, intricate, subtle, and challenging but worth every page. Easily on my top 5 books of all time. Pick it up and read it when you've got a lot of time on your hands. You'll want to devote a lot of time to this one.

These reviews on here that chop away at Mulisch for his "pendant" style. The majority seem to believe this is due to his style of explaining things and knowing alot. Yes, I know, knowing alot is scary to people for some reason. But at any rate, what people do not seem to get is that the story is being explained from an angel to an arch angel. The angels have a certain near omnipotent view, so it is inline that his style would be wordy and overtly smart. So, if you want to nag, do not place Mulisch as the narrator. The writer and the narrator are not the same people. Otherwise, this is a fantastic book. Yes, it is wordy. Yes, there are untranslated words you may not understand. I know, thats so terrible that he would not put up cue cards for the reader to understand everything. To think, a writer creates something that relies on the reader to interpret! Read it, its worth it.