Jelinek is a true original, from her prose to her characters and plot. I was lulled into a nightmarish trance reading this novel. An addictively unpleasant experience but far from an exercise in shock value. It's fascinating to read a book from the 80s that explores love, power and female sexuality with more nuance, depth and boldness than many modern novels. The complexity and contradiction in every joint of this story is so powerfully human.

This novel is absolutely not for the faint of heart, nor is it - as could be assumed from the blurb - a straightforward sexual awakening narrative. It is a portrait of an animal gone mad in its cage, seeking escape while clinging desperately to the bars. It has left its mark on me for sure.

Also: my first Austrian novel!