I enjoyed that this book was basically the narrator's stream of consciousness and it was well written but this book was not for me. The story was strange and the doctor is a good listener, He listens to every aspect of her life and becomes obsessed. Thank goodness this book was so short because it was struggle to get through. Perhaps other readers will like this more than me.

Thanks to Netgalley, Katharina Volckmer and Avid Reader Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Available:9/1/20

This book was .... strange. Both in topic and writing style. I have never read a book in a stream of conscious style, so that was a bit difficult to adjust to in the beginning. The narrator’s thoughts are absurd at times, but I found that to be refreshing, knowing we all have bizarre and sometimes questionable thoughts. Once the narrator reveals what “the appointment” is, it all comes full circle. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read outside my normal genres and experience something quite different!

Good for you, not for me.

Described as a book for fans of Ottessa Moshfegh, I thought I’d give The Appointment a go after getting a copy through NetGallet. Though it’s a tight 144 pages, the book is anything but terse - a winding, breathless monologue delivered by our narrator to Dr. Seligman, a faceless man examining his rambling patient. Our narrator describes her youth, her professional life, her family history - as well her fetishes (namely a Hitler fetish) and her love life (really more a sexual life). It’s these experiences that have brought our narrator to the titular appointment - whose purpose we aren’t fully clued into until the last quarter of the book.

This went off the rails for me in the early pages. The structure was fresh and fun - I typically enjoy, at least somewhat, a steam of conscious narrative, and I appreciated the dark humor and tone. At the end of the day, I would describe this best as a book I’m sure others will enjoy, but it’s just not for me. I probably would have DNF-ed it if it weren’t so short and if I hadn't received a copy through NetGalley.

That was a very pleasant surprise. Its very short (144 pages) and takes only a couple of hours to read even allowing for the fact that its stream of consciousness follwoing the thoughts of our heroine as she attends the appointment of the title with a Dr Seligman. She's a German living in london and he is a specialist, and the appointment in question does literally change her life. Its very rude in places, and definitely near the knuckle in certain aspects- masturbating over Hitler for one, so probably not one for everyone, but I loved it.
Onee very specific warning- do not read any spoilers at all about what sort of appointment this is- Volckmer does slowly reveal it and its definitely not what I expected. Very cleverly done and I hope that she writes more very soon. Highly recommended and thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for a chance to read the ARC

In a London doctor's office a young woman about to embark on life changing journey tells her story to a Dr.Seligman, a silent but good listener. Told in an almost stream of conscious monologue, The Appointment is a darkly humorous ride through a woman's life, that often takes you in very unexpected directions. Including everything from Hitler to squirrels, The Appointment is a radical and occasionally unsettling, but in a good way, short read by a fantastic new author. Thank you Avid Reader Press for the ARC!

I'm going to be honest and say that this book was well-written, but it just wasn't for me. I am truly grateful for the ARC and wish the author well with this title.