Reviews

The Maimed by Kevin Blahut, Pavel Růt, Hermann Ungar

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trve_zach's review against another edition

A horny book wherein the narrator, Polzer (a bank clerk who is deeply private/horrified by what others think), must service the sexual desires of his landlady, Frau Porges, and, unrelated, also watch as his best friend, Karl, slowly succumbs to an unnamed disease.

Polzer tries to control his life by sticking to the same routine every day and by counting all of his possessions and making sure nothing has gone missing, but Karl eventually moves in with Polzer, and his paranoia (that someone is sleeping with his wife) begins to take over Polzer’s sense of security/routine.

It is revealed early on that Polzer had an abusive and sexually deviant father and this makes his (Polzer) sexual encounters horrifying. In the book, we see sexually abused people repeating cycles of abuse in a redemption-less world where one’s sins will be done over and over.

As things ramp up with Polzer and his landlady, an attendant to Karl, Sonntag, comes into the book late and drives themes and narrative to bloody ends. The twisted and unsettling story ultimately turns into a kind of Czech-gothic version of The Stranger with Sonntag pacing the floor and demanding repentance and a path towards Jesus.

“The maimed man lay in the room with the furniture that was covered with white sheets. At night one heard him groan. The pus ate deeper into his flesh, and oppressive dreams tormented him. Polzer listened. Death was in the house, waiting.” (140)

lookhome's review against another edition

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5.0

Ungar's The Maimed presents a unique and unforgettable foray into the darkest depths of physical despair. It is a haunting tale of love, lust and carnal micro aggression.

Karl, its main protagonist, is a man utterly kept in routine, think Chauncey Gardiner from [b:Being There|677877|Being There|Jerzy Kosiński|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348519587l/677877._SY75_.jpg|873033]. As a previous reviewer noted, Karl would no doubt have been diagnosed as having Aspergers, given that he demonstrates 'significant difficulties in social interaction and nonverbal communication, along with restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour and interests' throughout the novel.
His daily life is unexciting and he rarely does anything out of the ordinary until something out of the ordinary takes place. He learns he may have to move and decides he'll do anything he can to avoid this unpleasant business. And so the crux of the story is formed. Frightening and odd characters are introduced and the novel escalates into what can only be termed a 'living nightmare'.
A fantastic book and a must read for Kafka Aficionados.