…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
Appearance on the Audio Signals podcast
August 24, 2024
Marco Ciappelli is a leading voice at the intersection of society, technology, and communication. As Co-Founder of ITSPmagazine and Creative Director, he explores how technology impacts human communication and societal identity. With a background in Political Science and Sociology of Communication, Marco advocates for thoughtful, human-centered strategies in the digital age. Through ITSPmagazine’s Redefining Society Podcast and the Audio Signals podcast, Marco delves into the philosophical and sociological effects of cybersecurity and technology. His passion for storytelling and mentorship drives his mission to inspire meaningful change and foster global conversations that connect ideas and reshape societal norms. In all his […]
Appearance on Hump Day Calls
April 6, 2024
Hump Day Calls is a podcast available on YouTube and Spotify engaging in enlightening conversations. The show interviews a diverse array of creators, spanning writers, poets, artists, models, photographers, filmmakers, and more. Each episode revolves around three core questions, punctuated by engaging digressions: The interview covers the intricacies of writing, coaching, morality, basketball, and the broader spectrum of society and politics.
NABE fall 2023 Pinnacle Book Achievement Award
January 17, 2024
The National Association of Book Entrepreneurs (NABE) proudly announces “In Search of Achilles” as the winner in the category of Literary Fiction for the Fall 2023 Pinnacle Book Achievement Awards. This captivating novel delves into the journey of a young aristocrat exploring his values during the pivotal summer of 1990 in Western Europe. Amidst a backdrop where capitalism triumphs over communism, the story unfolds in an era marked by hedonic arrogance and overwhelming self-confidence. However, beneath this surface of euphoria, the protagonist perceives a deepening void in the soul of the Occident. As the age-old declaration “God is dead” resonates […]
An article published in volksfreund.de
December 12, 2023
Published in volksfreund.de, this article is a translated version of the original piece. Ex-Gladiator Marco van den Berg From Professional Coach to Novelist Trier/Schweich – Marco van den Berg – basketball coach and husband of politician Katarina Barley – has penned his first novel. He shares his journey towards fulfilling a dream, reflects on his time with the Gladiators, and reveals his promise not to return as a professional coach, for now. When it all comes to an end, someday. When time grows short, and every cell knows it. Then it’s probably a good thing to have a coherent answer […]