The Exception: A Novel (edit title)

• Rated 4 stars

“Very interesting psychological thriller; I'm still scratching my head about the ending and if I know what really happened. I totally enjoyed this and it will make for a great discussion at our book group.”

• Rated 4 stars

“The portrait of office life is quite chilling. I also found the author's perspective on the flawed nature of the "do-gooders" in the anti-genocide agency thought-provoking if perhaps too cynical. The mystery kept me guessing but the story degenerates near the end into some unsatisfactory thriller plot elements.”

• Rated 4 stars

“Different, memorable and scary! Jungersen takes time to flesh out each of his characters, and it's unsettling how he embarrassingly knows so much about the female mind! How, on the surface, everything seems innocent, yet rampant bullying, easily hurt feelings and cattiness could escalate into something so much worse. It was interesting to read a contemporary Danish thriller, having been mostly exposed to American, Asian or Filipino reads. The author got the atmosphere and dialogue spot-on; how Danish twentysomethings are very politically inclined and how they love to debate and how direct they are. It was also strangely riveting, even the academic discourses on the psychology of evil and the various theories presented on how people can conceive to commit terrible acts like genocide. ”

• Rated 5 stars

“Pelottava kuvaus siitä, millaisia me kaikki olemme, kun muut eivät näe.”

• Rated 4 stars

“I think I accidentally gave this book 0 stars.

But I thoroughly enjoyed it, even though I had this sick feeling in my gut while I was reading it.”

• Rated 4 stars

“This was a really unique novel. Interpersonal drama throughout and plot twists in the latter part really kept me interested, and the technique of paralleling academic-type exploriations of the psychology of evil with the book's characters was really interesting.”

• Rated 5 stars

“WOW! I was amazed & stunned by this book! It explores the nature of evil & how we all have it within ourselves. ”

• Rated 5 stars

“One of the best books I have read this year. The Exception explores the nature of eivl -- how genocides can happen and how, individually, we can contribute to evil (and the ways in which we convince ourselves that we are NOT doing so.)

How do people "fool" themselves into doing things taht hurt others - either on a large scale such as genocides, or on a smaller scale, such as contributing to a hostile work environment? Jungersen looks at both the small and the large scale, which, it turns out, are different mostly in degree, rather than thought process.

Wonderfully thought provoking and relevant.

”

• Rated 1 stars

“I just couldn't continue with this book. I made it 150 pages in and couldn't make myself read any farther. I don't know if it had to do with the translation or it just wasn't my cup of tea.”