Thomas Bernhard is an author whose works hold a special place in my life. His writing captures a sense of existence and humanity that feels both deeply personal and universally relevant. Among his novels, Gargoyles stands out as one of his most impactful works—a book that stays with you long after reading.

The story, centered on a father and son’s journey through a grim and isolating landscape, reflects Bernhard’s unmatched ability to portray the human condition. His characters are raw and unfiltered, exposing the layers of despair, detachment, and complexity that define their world. The dialogue and observations in Gargoyles carry an intensity that feels almost overwhelming, yet undeniably truthful.

While reading this novel, I found myself pausing often to take notes—something I rarely do. Certain lines captured my attention, questioning whether we truly use our bodies and minds meaningfully, or whether life slips away in monotony. The sharp critiques of society, bureaucracy, and the futility of daily routines struck a chord, forcing me to confront similar thoughts I’ve had about modern life.

Bernhard’s writing style, known for its repetition and flow, mirrors the struggles and thought patterns of his characters. It creates a sense of being trapped, much like the individuals within the story. This is not a book designed to comfort—it is a book designed to challenge.

What sets Gargoyles apart is how it makes you reflect on your own place in the world. The father and son’s encounters with others, each more unsettling than the last, build a picture of a society that has lost its way. It’s a reminder of the fragility of human connections and the weight of isolation.

For me, Gargoyles is more than just a novel. It’s a work that provokes thought and self-reflection. Bernhard’s ability to articulate the unspoken fears and truths of life is unmatched, and his writing continues to influence how I view the world.

If you’ve never read Thomas Bernhard, Gargoyles is an excellent place to start. It’s not an easy book, but it is one that will leave a lasting impression. For anyone seeking a deeper understanding of humanity and its contradictions, this novel is worth every moment spent with it.

I will end this article with some excerpts from the book.

“– It is a geography that can only tolerate a minimal existence.“

“-What is shocking is not people’s ugliness, but their lack of ideas.“

“-…his life was worth nothing without music.”

“-I have a deadlock in my head.”

“…Have you consumed your life right?
When you start thinking about it, you’re finished…”

“-The state is rotten, I say in all seriousness, the state is rotten. My favorite word order lately, dear doctor: The state is rotten.”

“-In the state it’s always too late. The state sprinkles the medicine on the corpses!”

“-“In my mind,” he said, ”there really is unimaginable destruction.””

“-“Last night he got out of bed and went down to the library and said to the books: my food!””

“-““…human disorder. Masturb*tion of despair””

“-Sometimes I say to myself, you have nothing left except inconsolation and you have to be content with that.”

“-The truth is that I believe that I am gradually becoming everything, because in reality I am no longer anything…”

“-Everything is predetermined. The cold is inside me, so wherever I go, the cold inside me comes with me.
I freeze from the inside…”

“-I try to distance myself from myself, but I rarely succeed.”

“-What a potential for strain in the human mind!”

“-The torment is in my body…
Like a second body, in my whole body…”

“-I was under the incessant torment of the voices in my head.”

“-I always learned from books how unhappy I was.”

“-They were all mindless,
not mentally ill.”

“-The whole education system in our country is backward, antiquated, pathetic, isn’t it, dear doctor?”

“-…There are people who are content with the raw material of life; they don’t process it, the raw material is enough for them…”