Michael: A young adult book written for an infantile society

Author: Elfriede Jelinek
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-10-01
Features: Reality is always depicted incorrectly; it can only be so, to the point where its falsehood is immediately discovered by everyone who reads or hears it. It's lying! Language, this dog, was supposed to protect me, and that's why I keep it. But now it's biting me. — Elfriede Jelinek
Michael falls in love with beautiful Patricia, only to discover she is the daughter of a wealthy factory owner. TV viewers see the plot unfold according to their own guesses, becoming extremely excited. On a bus trip for a company outing, two female apprentices fight over a seat, brawling until they're both bloody. Scene after scene, the reality and exaggeration of TV society and the power-driven world are vividly depicted, full of wit. TV viewers are overjoyed to see this, at least they seem to know more than Mrs. Rogalski. One TV viewer tells another: "Look, something is about to happen!" When Mrs. Rogalski rings the doorbell a second time and there's no response inside, four or five other TV viewers—or two or three million other TV viewers—tell their wives, friends, or children: "Look, something is about to happen!" Yet Mrs. Rogalski remains completely unsuspecting. We all shout together: "Something is happening, Mrs. Rogalski!" But she's still oblivious. Mrs. Rogalski opens the slightly ajar garden gate and walks toward the house. The door is locked. Still no sound. Now everything is clear, and Mrs. Rogalski is even stunned (stunned).