• Author: Marieke Lucas Rijneveld
• Number Of Pages: 228 Pages
• Genre Of Book: Domestic Fiction/Literary Fiction
• Published On: 31st , January 2018
• Awards: 2020 International Booker Prize

The Discomfort of Evening – Honest Book Review

The Discomfort of Evening by Marieke Lucas Rijneveld is a dark, emotionally unsettling debut novel that won the International Booker Prize in 2020. As the title suggests, this book deliberately leads the reader into emotional discomfort, exploring themes of grief, faith, childhood trauma, and silence within a deeply religious household.

“Grief is a creature that feeds on pain and swallows the good memories until all you’re left with is the bad ones.”

“Faith was like a warm coat we put on in the morning, even when the buttons didn’t fit anymore.”

These lines perfectly capture the tone of the novel poetic, painful, and haunting.

About the Book: What Is The Discomfort of Evening About?

The novel follows ten-year-old Jas, who lives with her family in a closed Reformist Christian community in the Netherlands. Their daily life is governed by strict religious beliefs and a fear-driven interpretation of God.

When Jas’s older brother dies in a tragic ice-skating accident, the family’s emotional structure collapses. Instead of mourning together, the parents withdraw into silence and emotional isolation. Grief is never spoken aloud. Faith begins to fracture. The children are left alone to process loss in ways they barely understand.

The story is told entirely through Jas’s perspective, making the grief feel raw, confusing, and deeply unsettling.

Writing Style and Themes

Marieke Lucas Rijneveld’s writing is bold, unapologetic, and disturbingly vivid. The novel does not offer comfort or resolution. Instead, it forces the reader to sit with:

Childhood grief and trauma Religious oppression and loss of faith Emotional neglect within families Silence as a form of violence

The imagery is often dark and uncomfortable. This is not a light or pleasant read, and readers should approach it with emotional preparedness. A content warning is strongly advised.

Why This Book Feels So Disturbing

What makes The Discomfort of Evening so unsettling is not just the subject matter, but the way grief is portrayed through a child’s mind. Jas’s thoughts are fragmented, symbolic, and sometimes disturbing, reflecting how unresolved trauma distorts reality.

The novel does not explain or justify pain. It simply presents it ,honestly and relentlessly.

Should You Read The Discomfort of Evening?

If you enjoy:

Literary fiction Dark, psychological novels Books that explore grief and faith International Booker Prize winning literature then this book is worth reading,but only if you are prepared for discomfort.

If you prefer hopeful, comforting, or emotionally light reads, this may not be the right choice.

Final Verdict: The Discomfort of Evening Review

The Discomfort of Evening is not a book meant to be enjoyed it is a book meant to be felt. It challenges, disturbs, and lingers long after the final page.

Marieke Lucas Rijneveld has delivered a powerful debut that deserves its recognition, even if it leaves the reader unsettled.

#booklover ❤️❤️

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