The Exception by
Christian Jungersen
hbk out August 06
Published by Weidenfeld
at £12.99
At the Danish centre for Genocide Studies, two of the four women who work there receive
threatening e-mails. At first, they fear they are being stalked by a Serbian war criminal who
they have recently written about. However soon members of the quartet begin to suspect each
other of sending the messages and of other malicious acts. In the claustrophobic atmosphere
of their offices, paranoia mounts and allegiances shift in a witch hunt for the perpetrator. The
novel is narrated by the different women and throughout there are articles they are working on
which recount examples of brutality, torture and repression throughout the ages. Of course
this counterpoints ironically with the bullying that develops within the group. Some readers
may find the steady pace and intense psychological focus of the book, coupled with the
'factual' sections not to their taste and at almost 500 pages this is not a quick read but I soon
found myself drawn and completely hooked. The depiction of office intrigue and
victimisation is spot on and tangible enough to set one's teeth on edge and the details of man's
inhumanity to man throughout the ages harrowing and heartbreaking. This is Jungersen's
second novel and it's an unusual and thought provoking book.
(
Cath Staincliffe
author of the popular Sal Kilkenny mysteries and the series creator of TV Blue Murder)
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The Exception by
Christian Jungersen
