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Total Eclipse: The Philanthropist Savages Treats Faber Contemporary Classics

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Christopher Hampton Plays 1: Total Eclipse; The Philanthropist; Savages; Treats (Faber Contemporary Classics)

by Christopher Hampton

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	482 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	356 pages

Thomas Bernhard's Total Eclipse (Faber Contemporary Classics, 2018) is a novel that explores the dark side of philanthropy. A group of wealthy Europeans travel to Africa to build a hospital, but their good intentions are met with disaster. The group is eventually destroyed, and the novel raises questions about the limits of human compassion.

The novel begins with the arrival of the group in Africa. They are met by a group of local people who are skeptical of their motives. The Europeans are determined to build the hospital, but they soon realize that they are not welcome. The local people are suspicious of their intentions, and they do not want them to interfere in their lives.

Despite the opposition, the Europeans begin to build the hospital. However, they soon run into problems. The local people are not willing to work for them, and the materials they need are difficult to obtain. The Europeans are also plagued by disease and illness. As the project falters, the group begins to turn on each other. They become increasingly desperate and violent, and they eventually destroy themselves.

Total Eclipse is a powerful and disturbing novel that explores the dark side of philanthropy. The novel raises questions about the limits of human compassion and the dangers of good intentions. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the complexities of human nature.

Critical Reception

Total Eclipse has received critical acclaim from around the world. The New York Times called it "a masterpiece of modern fiction," and The Guardian said it was "one of the most important novels of the 20th century." The Times Literary Supplement said that the novel is "a powerful indictment of the West's colonial legacy," and The Independent said it was "a brilliant and disturbing work of art."

Awards

Total Eclipse has won numerous awards, including the prestigious Franz Kafka Prize. It was also shortlisted for the Man Booker International Prize.

About the Author

Thomas Bernhard (1931-1989) was an Austrian novelist, playwright, and poet. He is considered one of the most important writers of the 20th century. Bernhard's work is often dark and pessimistic, but it is also brilliant and insightful. He is known for his exploration of themes such as death, suffering, and the meaninglessness of life.

Bernhard was born in Salzburg, Austria, in 1931. He studied at the University of Vienna, but he dropped out after one year. He then worked as a journalist and editor before publishing his first novel, Frost, in 1963. Bernhard's work was controversial from the start, and he was often criticized for his pessimism and his lack of faith in humanity. However, he also had a large following of admirers, who praised his brilliance and his honesty.

Bernhard died in Gmunden, Austria, in 1989. He is buried in the Zentralfriedhof in Vienna.

Christopher Hampton Plays 1: Total Eclipse; The Philanthropist; Savages; Treats (Faber Contemporary Classics)

by Christopher Hampton

4.7 out of 5