SOURCE: “A Tale of Rediscovery and Renewal,” in The Christian Science Monitor, July 8, 1988, p. 18.

In the following review, Pool offers a favorable assessment of Repetition.

In Peter Handke's previous novel, Across, the central character asks whether “repetition,” so often viewed as negative, might instead be viewed as good. “Could not one … speak of refreshing repetition as opposed to wearisome repetition? … The possibility of repetition as opposed to the danger of repetition?” he says. “Here is my other word for repetition: ‘rediscovery.’”

Rediscovery and renewal are at the heart of Handke's new novel [Repetition], an evocative, many-layered treatment of a familiar theme: a youth setting forth to find the world and himself.

Filip Kobal’s journey takes place in the summer of 1960 when, not yet 20, he leaves his village in southern Austria for Slovenia. In part, Filip is “on the trail” of his brother Gregor who vanished in Slovenia...