Read and Write about a Dinner.

The Dinner by Herman Koch takes place in and around a restaurant in Amsterdam. In cinematic views, the story's structure follows five courses, starting with an aperitif and ending with a tip. During each chapter/course,  readers learn the backstory of the four diners. 

The narrator, Paul expresses disdain for his brother and the trendy restaurant he managed to book so fast. Readers charmed by Paul's account of the dinner will develop chills that all's not right with him. 

What Paul does in life remains unclear. His past issues have placed him in limbo. Older brother Serge serves as the opposition leader in Parliament. With elections on the horizon, likely to become the nexty Prime Minister.  

Prompted by Serge, the two brothers and their wives Claire and Babette meet to discuss an issue regarding their children. A brutal killing in Paul's neighborhood, recorded on a cellphone, landed on YouTube. Even though the pictures shown look grainy, Serge feels convinced of their sons' involvement.

Page by page, The Dinner draws the reader with twists, turns and intrigue. Decisions have to be made.

Creative Write:  Do read the book. Then try a writing excursion placed at a restaurant with its distractions. Decide what you might do as a parent who knows too much about a child's misbehavior.  If the tables were turned, what might a child do if he or she discovered parents had committed a heinous crime?