The Piano Teacher

Book Review

Elfriede Jelinek's «The Piano Teacher» is a powerful and unsettling work that explores themes of repression, sexuality, and mental disorders. Critics note that the novel deeply immerses the reader in the world of the main character, Erika Kohut, a pianist whose life is controlled by her tyrannical mother. Jelinek masterfully conveys Erika's internal conflicts and suffering through a harsh and uncompromising writing style. The book evokes strong emotions and prompts reflection on the nature of human freedom and dependency. Some critics emphasize that the novel can be challenging to read due to its darkness and frankness, but this is precisely what makes it so significant and memorable.