The Loser
Back of the Book
Thomas Bernhard was one of the most original writers of the twentieth century. His formal innovation ranks with Beckett and Kafka, his outrageously cantankerous voice recalls Dostoevsky, but his gift for lacerating, lyrical, provocative prose is incomparably his own.
One of Bernhard's most acclaimed novels, The Loser centers on a fictional relationship between piano virtuoso Glenn Gould and two of his fellow students who feel compelled to renounce their musical ambitions in the face of Gould's incomparable genius. One commits suicide, while the other—the obsessive, witty, and self-mocking narrator—has retreated into obscurity. Written as a monologue in one remarkable unbroken paragraph, The Loser is a brilliant meditation on success, failure, genius, and fame.
We Love It Because
Despite the protagonist’s biting tone, Thomas Bernhard’s The Loser is a celebration of inimitable genius, which may not exist but the pure brilliance of good art and the looming presence of art in the lives of others - the rapt audience, the sheepish student, those eager but unable to create in tandem with the rhythm of genius. Bernhard’s broodingly funny love letter to the magnitude of the influence of good art, is also a good time.
Memorable Passage
A student is always well-advised to choose a hostile place of study rather than a hospitable one, for the hospitable place will rob him of the better part of his concentration for his studies, the hostile place on the other hand will allow him total concentration, since he MUST concentrate on his studies to avoid despairing, and to that extent one can absolutely recommend Salzburg…
About the Author
Thomas Bernhard (1931–1989) was an Austrian novelist, playwright, and essayist whose uncompromising and provocative literary works have left an indelible mark on modern European literature. Born in the Netherlands and raised in Austria, Bernhard's writing is characterized by its intense, often obsessive introspection and biting satirical commentary on Austrian society. His distinctive narrative style, marked by long, breathless sentences and the absence of paragraph breaks, challenges conventional storytelling methods. Bernhard's acclaimed novels, including Correction, The Loser, and Woodcutters, explore themes of alienation, existential despair, and the absurdity of human existence. Despite controversy and criticism, he was awarded numerous literary prizes for his fearless exploration of the darker aspects of the human psyche. Bernhard is worth knowing for his unflinching commitment to pushing the boundaries of literature and his ability to dissect the complexities of the human experience with brutal honesty and intellectual rigor. His work continues to resonate with readers seeking literature that confronts the uncomfortable truths of existence.
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