BOOK BRIEF

The Assistant

Robert Walser
Guide cover placeholder

The Assistant

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2007

Book Brief

Sparkles iconBeta
Robert Walser

The Assistant

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2007
Book Details
Pages

320

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Switzerland • Early 20th century

Publication Year

2007

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

In The Assistant by Robert Walser, a young man becomes an assistant to an inventor facing financial struggles. He navigates complex relationships with the inventor’s family and reflects on his own aspirations and societal roles. The narrative explores themes of individuality, ambition, and human interaction within a modest entrepreneurial setting.

Contemplative

Melancholic

Bittersweet

Serene

Nostalgic

Reviews & Readership

3.7

1,647 ratings

73%

Loved it

20%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

The Assistant by Robert Walser is celebrated for its lyrical prose and insightful character exploration. Readers appreciate the novel's subtle humor and keen observation of societal norms. However, some find its pacing slow. Overall, Walser’s work is a reflective and poignant narrative that offers a rich portrait of human frailty and ambition.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Assistant?

A reader who enjoys The Assistant by Robert Walser likely appreciates introspective narratives, existential themes, and detailed character studies. Fans of Franz Kafka's The Trial or Thomas Bernhard's Concrete may find similar satisfaction in Walser's exploration of human frailty and societal roles.

3.7

1,647 ratings

73%

Loved it

20%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

320

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Switzerland • Early 20th century

Publication Year

2007

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Buy This Book

We’re just getting started

Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!