…He blinked again but ignored my remark. He kept looking into my eyes patiently. I looked back just as patiently and tried to reach his compassion level. We were exchanging friendly looks for a few moments. „How are you for money?“ He then asked…
From the novel “In Search of Achilles”
Marco van den Berg Scholten
Author of “In Search Of Achilles”, a novel about the unbehagen of the Occident.
“In Search of Achilles” is Marco van den Berg Scholten’s debut novel. The novel will be published by Köehler Books and is scheduled to be released on October 3, 2023.
What others say
Here are a some snippets from the reviews others have written on Amazon:
“A well written and intriguingly layered book about life in Groningen, Amsterdam and Berlin starting in the 1980s until early ’90s. It contains many recognizable atmospheric description that really capture those days well. The style of writing matches the language of the various ‘scenes’ the protagonist was part of: the aristocracy of the protagonist’s family, the hang-out city-life of his friends, the travellers’ life. It really makes you feel part of those scenes.”
“This book was extremely unique. We live in a world where we’ve lost many of the traditional values we’ve had in favor of new values that don’t serve us as well, and this book has a unique spin on the implications of that.”
Please have a look at the full reviews and others, on my Amazon book page.
More reviews:
“This relatively short, yet intriguing novel is a great read for anyone, who’s interested in philosophy, history and politics. It offers a somehow both historic and refreshing view into the different ways in which people deal with the emergence of the postmodern world, all against the backdrop of the perceived triumph of liberal capitalism over communism.”
Read the full review on goodreads.com.
“In Search of Achilles by Marco van den Berg Scholten is a deeply introspective novel set against the backdrop of post-Communist Europe undergoing rapid transformation. The narrative follows Johan van Geesteren, a young aristocrat struggling to find meaning and purpose in a world increasingly dominated by materialism and superficiality. Through Johan’s journey, Scholten explores themes of identity, authenticity, and the quest for personal fulfillment in a society that often values appearance over substance.”
Read the full review on onlinebookclub.org.
My latest blog articles
Maincrest Media Award Winner
April 1, 2026
In Search of Achilles has won the Maincrest Media Award. Plot The story is original, engaging and well-paced. The book follows a clear and logical narrative arc. The writing includes information to make a reader want to continue reading and stretch their imagination. SCORE: 18 / 20 Character The characters are memorable and believable and their goals and motivations have been well established. The characters’ strengths, weaknesses, backstory and conflicts evoke a strong emotional response in the reader. SCORE: 17 / 20 THEME: The book has a strong, unifying theme. The book presents new and original ideas. The book appeals […]
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