Old Masters A Comedy
“Old Masters A Comedy” by Thomas Bernhard, published by Penguin Books in 2020, presents a humorous exploration of friendship between two elderly men. This edition spans 256 pages and is written in English. The narrative centers on Reger, a music critic who has spent over thirty years contemplating life while seated in front of a Tintoretto painting in a Viennese museum. Through his conversations with his friend Atzbacher, readers gain insight into Reger’s complex thoughts on society, art, and personal loss.
In “Old Masters,” Bernhard delivers a satirical examination of culture and the human condition, blending humor with poignant reflections. The story reveals Reger’s struggles, including the tragic death of his wife and his contemplations on suicide, all while maintaining a tone that oscillates between pessimism and exuberance. As Atzbacher learns more about Reger, the narrative unfolds to critique the pretensions of humanity and the value of art, making it a thought-provoking read for those interested in literary fiction infused with humor.
Official synopsis Publisher
‘I hate walking, he says, it seems so pointless to me. I walk, and while I am walking I keep thinking how I hate walking’
Old Masters (1985) is Thomas Bernhard’s devilishly funny story about the friendship between two old men. For over thirty years Reger, a music critic, has sat on the same bench in front of a Tintoretto painting in a Viennese museum, thinking and railing against contemporary society, his fellow men, artists, the weather, even the state of public lavatories. His friend Atzbacher has been summoned to meet him, and through his eyes we learn more about Reger – the tragic death of his wife, his thoughts of suicide and, eventually, the true purpose of their appointment. At once pessimistic and exuberant, rancorous and hilarious, Old Masters is a richly satirical portrait of culture, genius, nationhood, class, the value of art and the pretensions of humanity.
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