Silent Extras: A Novel

By Arnon Grunberg

Book Overview

Three hapless friends-- nervous Ewald, impetuous Broccoli, and seductive Elvira-- are down on their luck, slightly unhinged, and determined to make it in bohemian Amsterdam. Together, they hatch a daring and foolish string of plots and schemes in order to make some impact on a world that could largely care less. They want to become famous actors, artists, con men and thieves, but most of all, the three want recognition; they want to make a dent in the world and have the world finally take notice. Silent Extras is an exuberant meditation on youth, waste, and the unstoppable power of comedy and farce. The novel is less a story of young people looking for meaning than it is a story of the young looking to undermine meaning. When the world makes no sense, all one can do is play along.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312204779
• ISBN13: 9780312204778
• Release Date: April 2001
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.6" x 1.3" x 6.2"

Customer Reviews

A hapless farce about fantasy and failure

Nineteen year old Ewald Krieg and his two friends, Elivra Lopez and Michaël "Broccoli" Eckstein have a keen desire to make it big in the movie business. Ewald has just been rejected by yet another acting school when he meets Broccoli who is in the process of holding a tirade against the same school, for he too has received the boot. Broccoli right off takes command of Ewald and the situation and says "so now we're going to drink fish soup." Broccoli is the self proclaimed Chairman for the "Association for Geniuses" having been pronounced a wunderkind at the age of six while playing the violin in the family living room. As further proof, he says that at the age of twelve he "was already an accomplished plumber," having to deal with his father's unusually large [stool] especially whenever company was expected. Although exceedingly creative and of apparent intellect, Broccoli's true genius is in his influence over Ewald and Elvira. He leads his two friends around Amsterdam, sharing his version of what will work to get them worldwide recognition. As Ewald explains, "Back then if people had told me 'He's the son of God,' I would have taken a good look at him and thought: Yeah, now that you mention it." Broccoli has the run of his parents large home on Bernard Zweerskade, while his seemingly well-to-do parents are off in Switzerland. The family's housekeeper, Mrs. Meerschwam, and family friend, Berk, are the caretakers. Additionally, Broccoli has several charge cards at his disposal which helps out as the Association members meander throughout Amsterdam and beyond.In return, Ewald and Elvira do Broccoli's bidding on his schemes to make it in the Hollywood Film business. Broccoli is positive that it just takes the right chance exposure, that no matter how insignificant the part, like the role of a "pimply kid" thrown down the stairs by a whore, there's a chance. Before meeting Broccoli, Elvira actually was the lead actress in a movie, albeit it was more out of chance than desire. It was only a partially completed movie since Galani, the Argentine furrier-turned-movie-producer, ran out of interest in the endeavor and funds before its completion. Impressed by this obscure debut, Broccoli declares that Elvira Lopez will be a "femme fatale" like no other and has her rehearse Macbeth so that all the world will see her talent.Elvira is not as young as Ewald and Broccoli But at 28, she easily seduces all men that come into her company. Elvira is more or less Broccoli's girlfriend; yet Ewald, our narrator, is fascinated with her. When Broccoli is not around, Elvira and Ewald share stories and laughter so hearty it causes him to drool all over her. Elvira is a mystery that Ewald is constantly working on unraveling. Then one evening Broccoli's credit card is rejected and in due time his parents show up to close the house. It is during one hilarious but heartbreaking drunken dinner scene that Mr. Eckstein tells Broccoli that he's now has to find a place to live. S