Review ‘Being there’

A political satire written by Jerzy Kozinsky

This book is about a gardener named Chance, who actually doesn’t know anything about himself, accept that his name is Chance. He’s not educated at all and has never been outside the garden of the villa where he lives, watches TV and works. When he is forced to leave the villa because of the death of his employer. He gets an accident, Chance is taken by Benjamin Rand, an important financier who is old and sick, and his wife E.E..
He stays at their house, not as a helper, but as a resident. Chance becomes a celebrity after his simple statements about a garden, which are taken as metaphors for the financial situation of the garden. He stays a lot in his room watching TV, but sometimes he goes to meetings or interviews.When no one can find information about him, not everyone trusts him as much as before. The story takes place around 1960-1970. That is why it is a bit old fashioned.

I did like the book. Why? Because I think it was very well written. I actually got a little frustrated, thinking: Just listen to him and open your eyes! I think this is exactly what Kosinsky wants to approach. (Mis)communication is very important in this book and in the whole society and I’m very interested in that subject. I like to read a lot and I like to read thic books, so that’s why I thought the story was a bit too short. But over all, it was a pleasure to read it.

I do recommend this book because I think everyone can read it. It is a short book so if you don’t like to read a lot, this book is a good alternative. Eventually it’s all about the content and I think the writer did a great job. This book made me think: ‘Am I actually a listener?’ This book really learns you a lesson and I think that’s why you have to read it.