The Figure in the Distance (Panther S.) [Hardcover]

Otto de Kat (Author)

Book Description

Series: Panther S. | Publication Date: July 18, 2002

This book is a beautiful study of the interplay between past and present. The narrator of the novel is a lifelong traveller—Cambridge, Budapest, New York, Tel Aviv, The Hague, and Zurich are all cities he has lived in. But wherever he stays, the impressions he gets and the people he sees remind him of figures from long ago: a lost friend, a former lover, and above all, his father. He has a past, but the present eludes him, and he moves about the world as if he is a ghost, his intrusive memories ensuring that he is never completely alone and yet never completely happy. The writing is spare and elegant, and this enchanting novel will not be easily forgotten.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A wonderful novel." -- Cees Nooteboom

"An intriguing story . . . a beautiful novel." -- Jan Paul Bresser, Elsevier

"The tone is authentic, with a memorable force . . . a loving portrait." -- Tom van Deel, Trouw

From the Inside Flap

A beautiful study of the interplay between past and present. He has a past, but the present eludes him: wherever he goes, the people he sees remind of figures from long ago: a lost friend, a former lover and, above all, his father.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 86 pages
• Publisher: Random House UK (July 18, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1860468829
• ISBN-13: 978-1860468827
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.5 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,391,070 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Truly wonderful, in parts, May 9, 2011

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sdk (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Figure in the Distance (Panther S.) (Hardcover)

I hesitate to review a book that carries on its cover the endorsement "A wonderful novel" by the greatest living writer (available in English translation) in the Dutch language, Cees Nooteboom. I have to wonder if Mr. Nooteboom, whose work I deeply admire, read the entire book. The first half of The figure in the distance IS truly wonderful. Like Nooteboom in Roads to Santiago (and elsewhere), de Kat's character travels, semi-randomly, and observations and experiences while traveling evoke memories and ruminations about life, people, and most importantly, death. "At ease, he strolled towards the night that came drifting out of the houses. Careful observation shows that night does not fall, but emerges drifting from windows and doors. When the lights are switched on, the darkness slips outside." The figure in the distance is the father of the central character; his appearance in the distance is both literal and metaphoric, and one feels he will remain present, in the distance, long after he has passed from the world. Yet the book loses emotional and philosophical power when the main character goes to Hungary and becomes obsessed with a dancer he sees only from a distance. This section (about 30 pages) disappoints. In a longer novel a flawed thread might not do too much damage to the whole, but in a novella of 86 pages, it stands out. So, I agree with Mr. Nooteboom that this novel is wonderful in many parts, but, on the whole, merely very good. Recommended especially for fans of Cees Nooteboom.