The Story

The book follows the wealthy, well-respected Zittwitz family. On the surface, they're perfect. But when the father, a powerful judge, suddenly falls ill, the family's polite facade starts to crack. His sickness acts like a poison that spreads through the household. His wife, children, and servants all react differently—some with panic, others with greed, and a few with a cold, calculating indifference. The real drama isn't in finding a cure, but in watching how each character is revealed by the crisis.

Why You Should Read It

Lazar's writing is brutally honest and darkly funny. She doesn't waste a single word. What got me was how modern it feels. The family's pettiness, their obsession with status, and the way they use kindness as a weapon—it's all stuff we still see today. You'll recognize these people. The characters aren't monsters; they're just selfish, scared, and human, which makes their actions even more compelling (and sometimes horrifying) to watch.

Final Verdict

This is a perfect pick for anyone who loves character-driven stories about society's dark side. If you're into authors like Stefan Zweig or want a historical novel that doesn't feel like a history lesson, this is for you. It's a short, powerful punch of a book that stays with you, making you look at the people around you a little differently. A forgotten classic that absolutely deserves to be found again.