I realize it might not be clear what “mushrikeena” means. To clarify the protagonist Herbert does not like the “boyfriend” that his daughter has chosen. Instead of displaying his disapproval by going to the mosque rather he argues with him.
Another example is that he and his wife are deriving pleasure from seeing other couples fight. Muslims do not have this psychology.
Herman Koch the famous dutch writer has published a new book: de overbodigen (the superfluous).
The main character is biologist Herbert who travels with his wife to the English greenlands for a famous hiking path. As the book progresses the events which induce the tension that is described from the first page are gradually becoming more clear.
Some of the passages almost describe a healthy marriage although most of the times the book describes perfect examples of mushrikeena.
The title refers to the protaganists’ thesis that the human species is “superfluous” in relation to “earth.” The protagonist does not use “mother earth” but this is only because it would be out of character.
The overbodigen is less perfect than his “Het diner” (the dinner), which is best read in Dutch. The English translation dissapoints.