Interested in SnackzLAB or SnackzAGENT? ๐๐ผ This way!
Enjoying Snackz.ai?
Sign up!
or
I agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms of Service.
Already have an account?
๐ฉ Check your inbox!
A link to reset your password has been sent to your email address.
Reset Password
No worries! Just enter your email below, and we'll help you reset that password:
Enjoying Snackz.ai?
Sign up!
or
I agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms of Service.
Already have an account?
๐ฉ Check your inbox!
A link to reset your password has been sent to your email address.
Reset Password
No worries! Just enter your email below, and we'll help you reset that password:
Robert Menasse
Where would you like to order?
Please select your country to proceed with the checkout.
โก Free 3min Summary
The Capital: A Novel - Summary
In this sophisticated satirical novel, the city of Brussels becomes a microcosm of European Union politics, bureaucracy, and human nature. Set in the symbolic capital of the EU, the narrative weaves together multiple storylines featuring an eclectic cast of characters, from ambitious bureaucrats to murderers and pig farmers, all while exploring the complex dynamics of European integration and national identity in the 21st century.
Key Themes
Bureaucratic Absurdity
The novel expertly dissects the often nonsensical nature of EU bureaucracy through the lens of the Big Jubilee Project, where the suggestion to proclaim Auschwitz as the EU's birthplace highlights the disconnect between institutional ambitions and historical reality.
European Identity Crisis
Through its diverse characters and their interactions, the book explores the tension between national interests and European unity, revealing the fragile nature of the European project and the challenges of creating a unified identity.
Power and Morality
The intersection of political power, personal ambition, and moral responsibility is examined through multiple storylines, from murder investigations to policy decisions, showing how individual actions ripple through the larger political landscape.
FAQ's
While the novel is fictional, it draws heavily from actual EU institutions, procedures, and contemporary European political dynamics to create its satirical narrative.
Brussels, as the de facto capital of the European Union, serves as the perfect backdrop to explore the themes of European integration, bureaucracy, and national tensions, being both the literal and metaphorical heart of European politics.
The author employs a Balzacian technique of weaving together seemingly disparate narratives that ultimately converge to create a comprehensive portrait of European society, with each character's story contributing to the larger themes of the novel.
Enjoyed the sneak peak? Get the full summary!
Let's find the best book for you!
AdvertisementSection.TitleNew
AdvertisementSection.SubTitleNew
AI-powered visibility for your books.
Get the books directly into your inbox!
โ New Release
โ Book Recommendation
โ Book Summaries
Copyright 2023-2025. All rights reserved.