Me and Kaminski

August 18, 2008
German literary wunderkind Kehlmann follows up Measuring the World
(2006) with this curious and lesser novel. Self-conscious and yet completely un–self-aware, journalist Sebastian Zollner attempts to outdo his art critic rival by writing the biography of reclusive painter Manuel Kaminski. Sebastian is amusingly sad, if one-note: he lives in denial that his live-in girlfriend broke up with him months ago; after an offhand comment by a transit worker, he becomes obsessed with his receding hairline; and he detests in others everything he so blithely ignores about himself. He weasels himself into Kaminski's household, snoops through the artist's private files, discovers a series of unfinished paintings and attempts to up the drama by reuniting Kaminski with his ex-wife, long thought dead. It quickly becomes clear, however, that Kaminski is manipulating pathetic Sebastian, and Sebastian's plans are thwarted in favor of the master's own. There are entertaining and lightly satirical moments, but for the most part the story feels rushed, with everyone except Sebastian getting short shrift.

October 1, 2008
In his second novel to be translated into English (after "Measuring the World"), German-Austrian author Kehlmann tells the story of two lost souls. Sebastian Zollner is a 31-year-old art critic looking for his big break, and writing a biography of enigmatic painter Manuel Kaminski seems exactly the project to bring him the success he is convinced he deserves. As Zollner journeys into the French Alps to interview the doddering and nearly blind Kaminski, his personal life is falling apart, but he is aflame with a discovery that should lead to a pivotal scene in his book. Kehlmann's narrative is not particularly well paced, but its biggest weakness is that Zollner is a completely unsympathetic character. Even his bumbling is not endearing, paired as it is with his extreme impatience and overinflated sense of his own self-worth. But he meets his match in Kaminski, whose presence is a balance that allows the reader to appreciate the novel as a meditation on art and identity. Appropriate for large fiction collections; purchase if "Measuring the World" was well received.Karen Walton Morse, Univ. at Buffalo Libs., NY

Copyright 2008 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2008
The best-selling author of Measuring the World (2006)returns with this road novel, featuring a pair of unlikely buddies inself-absorbed journalist Sebastian Zollner and reclusive painter Manuel Kaminski. Sebastian believes that his proposed biography of the legendary blind painter will save both his career and his deteriorating relationship with his girlfriend. Convinced that the only way to bring his work alive is to spend time with the ailing artist, he makes the arduous trek toKaminskis remote mountain retreat, insinuates himself into the household, rifles through the artists personal possessions, and, finally, spirits Kaminski out of the house and into a car for an antic road trip tofind the great love of the painters life, a woman he has long believed to be dead.As the painter systematically disabuses Sebastian of his ill-informed opinions on art and tricks him into paying for the entire trip, Sebastian gradually begins to let go of his lifes ambition and to appreciate the old painters blunt wisdom.Inthis delightfully comic novel, Kehlmannwittily poses questions about the nature of celebrity and the value of art.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)