Engrossing, knowledgeable research about that short part of German history (Weimar Republic) that was full of contradictions. Brocken, invalid IWW vetEngrossing, knowledgeable research about that short part of German history (Weimar Republic) that was full of contradictions. Brocken, invalid IWW veterans vs. mania of a healthy body. Old-fashioned values vs modernism like from the XXI century. Big cities vs countryside. Starving poor vs ostentatious wealth. And many others. Those years brought ideas and art that were often appreciated later, much after IIWW. Sadly, those years also created nazism and the IIWW.
Because you box and jazz and dance the foxtrot on a powder keg. (...) A fuse smolders underground. There's a crash in the middle of the foxtrot and night falls.
I was reading this book constantly taking breaks to check out the mentioned buildings, paintings, etc. I got a brilliant lesson in German history. I think, that nowadays, the Weimar Republic and those Germans aren't known. Most people see Germany in the first part of the XX century only as a country that was responsible for IWW and IIWW. And, although it is true, there are also many truths that we forget because of anger and a sense of injustice.
People who still think that all Germans were responsible for nazism (and what it did) should read this book.
Just listen to three of the most popular songs of that time: "Wenn ich mir was wünschen dürfte" (If I could wish for something), "Irgendwo auf der Welt" (Somewhere in the World), "Das gibt's nur einmal das kommt nicht wieder" (This only happens once and won't happen again) - to understand how far the true is from popcultural image of Germans of the 20. XX....more
It was probably one of the most beautiful homages of nature (and the old way of living) in literature. The flora and fauna of Transylvania sang througIt was probably one of the most beautiful homages of nature (and the old way of living) in literature. The flora and fauna of Transylvania sang through the pages the poignant story of the past. Of people who lived then and don't live anymore, of wildlife that had to change, and some parts even died, because humans saw (often still see) Mother Nature as an obstacle to progress.
The language the author used in the descriptions was brilliant. I regret I had a copy from a library, not my own copy or ebook - I would have marked hundreds of quotes. Look at examples (my own translation from Polish):
...it was raining outside and the evening was leaving on its thin threads.
Time cuddled the silence.
The deep blue funnels of gentian tried in vain to make the forest believe in summer; the forest didn't believe them anymore. In the depths of the ravines, in the shadow of the valleys, the ground was already ready to receive the first frost. And the air was pure and cold as steel, as if the winds had drained the last drops of summer from it.
Something that had no beginning has begun.
The characters were memorable and remarkable too. I don't think I ever forget Ivan, Birtalan, Wolf Dumitru, Toderic, Fur-eared (the Armenian bartender), Rotter Abraham, Nátu and Indrei Sándru, Juon, to name a few. Their stories were heart-wrenching to the core of the soul. The two main characters Nuca and Gáspár were in comparison less fascinating than the rest.
What to add, I am speechless, the words I have in my mind are like fairy-tale realism, a hypnotic image of a 19th-century land, a delightful be-gone world.
I am so enchanted by this book that I will search for a copy of the novel to buy for myself.
PS The third part of the book was not as great as the first two. And not because it was the saddest one (which it was). But because in two parts the magical/fantasy bit was more subtle. In the third one, that thread was too plain, too unbelievable. And the fatalism of it was too heavy. Nonetheless, before I could feel too much disappointed in it, the book ended....more
I felt deeply Rachel's intrusive thoughts. That constant mix of worrying and dreaming. Margaret Laurence captured splendidly their intensity and powerI felt deeply Rachel's intrusive thoughts. That constant mix of worrying and dreaming. Margaret Laurence captured splendidly their intensity and power.
The author created supremely other characters too. Rachel's mother, Calla, Nick Kazlik and his parents. Laurence was great at human examination.
You can also find in this novel a glimpse at the specific time and place, at a woman who had her first affair (and her first sexual experience).
In other words, the book was a fascinating character study (and how nice and proper family and society sometimes can be oppressive)....more
This book was even more shocking, it rocked to the core.
First of all, it is a must-read for everyone who values human rights, humanity, etc.
Then, it is a must-read for everyone interested in the history.
Also, it is a must-read for everyone who loves literature.
And, lastly, everyone should at least know the message and Sven Lindqvist's understanding of genocides.
To me, it was one of the most impressive and the most important books I have ever read.
It allowed me to better understand Joseph Conrad and his novels (especially Heart of Darkness), and a few other writers, e.g. H.G. Wells.
It showed me the parts of history that most people (with help from some historians) are trying to not remember.
First of all, it put into my head questions that I want now to ask everyone:
Which guilt and debts the new generation should inherit, which not, why and who (and why) decides about it? Who started the idea of genocide? How did and does the Western world hide so efficiently the genocides of the XVI-XIX century? And many others.
In other words, it is one of the books that changes the reader. There is no way to not feel impacted. Even, if (almost impossible) one doesn't agree with Sven Lindqvist....more
The author created an impressive and intriguing world of the future.
I liked, that the AI wasn't bad - like almost always.
The philosophical and psycholThe author created an impressive and intriguing world of the future.
I liked, that the AI wasn't bad - like almost always.
The philosophical and psychological observations were deep, observant, and often made me think.
The characters and plot were nicely done too, although it was obviously targeted for teenagers and young adults.
I only have objections to the gleaning. The explanations of why it was done, why by humans, the whole idea of Scythes was not satisfactory. I know it was the main idea of the series, and I admit, thanks to that idea there was a whole deeper understanding of humans, religions, and societies. Also, I have no idea how could have changed the author the premise to make it more believable and still fascinating and instructive.
Nonetheless, I can recommend the novel to everyone interested in the genre (young and older ones). The character's dynamics, plot twists, and important questions - all made it a prize-worth book.
PS I rather avoid fantasy/sci-fi dystopias for young readers - I find it disappointing, not for me. Yet, after an alluring recommendation, I decided to give it a try. And I am glad I did it. Perhaps I will even try the next part of the series, someday....more
No matter whether Jesus Christ and his mother even existed. No matter what he did actually. No matter what you believe iTouching, fascinating, poignant.
No matter whether Jesus Christ and his mother even existed. No matter what he did actually. No matter what you believe in.
Colm Tóibín portrayed a heart-wrenching story of a mother, who had no power and no say in what her son did and what happened to him.
He also showed a different point of view on what many people believe that happened. And it was priceless. Everyone who believes in any version of Christ should read it.
I recommend listening to Meryl Streep's reading. (As of the date of this review, the audiobook is available on YouTube.)...more
In this collection, some stories were more interesting, some less. Most of them were a great start for a discussion, about our society, about humans, In this collection, some stories were more interesting, some less. Most of them were a great start for a discussion, about our society, about humans, about law, about guilt, etc.
There wasn't a "wow" for me, yet, the simple style allowed a fast read, concentrating on the story and then on thinking through what I thought about what happened.
One can't even imagine how it is to find out (after years) that your father was a war criminal. Then, it is also hard to imagPowerful. Rough. Hurtful.
One can't even imagine how it is to find out (after years) that your father was a war criminal. Then, it is also hard to imagine how it was to live in Yugoslavia in the second half of the XX century. In a country that consisted of a few nations, that didn't like each other. Balkans are (and almost always were) the most conflicted regions in Europe.
Vladan's struggles with past and present, with what was real and what was a lie, with feelings for his family, and with his conception of his own identity were priceless. Sorrowful, wrathful, and very needed for all "Vladans" (all over the world).
Goran Vojnović's style of writing, his metaphors, description, wit are remarkable. I love such styles, that "don't take hostages", that makes me feel.
[I don't know] in which of the unburned silences our story burned out.
Do I understand better Balkans nations and people? I don't think so - one or two books aren't enough. But I have a deeper feeling about how complicated their relations are. I have to read more about the Balkans....more
The novel powerfully documents the insidious rise of a fascist regime - the seething paranoia, the sudden arrests, the silence and fear. [a summary]
The novel powerfully documents the insidious rise of a fascist regime - the seething paranoia, the sudden arrests, the silence and fear. [a summary]
Fear is the condition in which a certain idea begins to overrun everything else.
It was a knowing portrait of the perils of ordinary life in Hitler's Germany before the IIWW. [Joseph Kanon]
She knew nothing of the shadow behind the border posts of reality, and less than nothing of the strange proceedings that take place between the border posts: when reality fades into nothingness and can never return, or when the shadows show a desire to come crowding back in order to be taken for real once more.
The story gave the sense of an endless string of unbelievable things happening, leading to a murky, underwatery sensibility. [J.]
Was it permissible to jeopardize man because of another? If so, under what conditions? Yes, it was permissible. Not only permissible, but imperative.
The characters were so human that it hurt. Their life choices, their lot, the unfairness, hopelessness, and striving for happiness were heartwrenching.
Only when nothing at all is possible any longer does life pass by like a shadow. But the periods when everything is possible contain all of life — and of destruction.
I think there are not many books, novels that remind us of ordinary Germans that were also victims of time and Nazi ideology. It is important to remember those Germans too.
All of us felt how ruthlessly and fearfully outward powers could strike to the very core of man, but at the same time we felt that at the very core there was something that was unassailable and inviolable.
Things had to be judged in the whole, not in part, and the whole was mainly good.
A fascinating, observant, deep study of marriage.
This watching cl
Things had to be judged in the whole, not in part, and the whole was mainly good.
A fascinating, observant, deep study of marriage.
This watching closely two marriages for a few months, one new and one thirty years after the wedding was a priceless glimpse. No drama happened, yet those two couples went a long way to be where they were at the end of the book.
I think this novel could be used in the author's time as a couple therapy, self-help, personal development book.
The characters were complex, and I totally believe in their changes.
The ending was simply marvelous, although it was opened. A reader can't know for sure how Dahlia's and Jenny's marriages would look later. But it is just so - we never know. ...more
I have listened to a marvelous Polish narrator. His voice and style made the pawnbroker (the narrator of the story) deeply and disturbingly real. He mI have listened to a marvelous Polish narrator. His voice and style made the pawnbroker (the narrator of the story) deeply and disturbingly real. He made Dostoyevsky's stream-of-consciousness narrative fascinating and gripping.
Of course, the story was sad and depressing, but the style allowed me to better understand those two people, the pawnbroker and his wife.
Not my favourite in the series, but still, great fun.
Most of all, it was a brilliant satire of politics, religions, social systems, traditions, etc. ANot my favourite in the series, but still, great fun.
Most of all, it was a brilliant satire of politics, religions, social systems, traditions, etc. All novels of the series had such satire but here it was the basis, not between the lines.
PS My new name from now on: .303 bookworm ;-)...more
One of the best of the series. Perhaps even (so far) the best one, some of the stories in this collection were touchingly brilliant, e.g. "The FillyjoOne of the best of the series. Perhaps even (so far) the best one, some of the stories in this collection were touchingly brilliant, e.g. "The Fillyjonk Who Believed in Disasters", "The Last Dragon in the World" and "The Invisible Child"....more
If you love (like me) The Moomins you should definitely read this memoir. In this bunch of short stories from Tove Jansson's childhood, you will find If you love (like me) The Moomins you should definitely read this memoir. In this bunch of short stories from Tove Jansson's childhood, you will find the source of the world she created in her fairy tales. You will also understand why it was possible.
Was Tove Jansson's childhood happy? What about her relationship with her parents? I think that she had a childhood full of magic, although not without feeling loneliness and sadness. But she had a superpower that allowed her to cope with the bitter parts of life and give us characters that will live forever....more
At the core, it was a sad story. Smiling at Mr Trąba a reader feels glum and regret fWhat a wonderfully bizarre story.
And, what a witty and sharp pen.
At the core, it was a sad story. Smiling at Mr Trąba a reader feels glum and regret for all those people whose life was broken by the reality (political system).
I think you have to remember (at least a bit) the reality of PRL (The Polish People's Republic), the time when Poland was controlled by the Soviets. Or at least, you have to have a good gist of those times. Otherwise, I am afraid you will not be able to understand and appreciate the book.
PS Now I understand, why, in Poland, Jerzy Pilch had (probably still has) a group of hard fans in the 90ties of the XX century and at the beginning of the XXI. For some reason, I didn't then try his books. And I think it was for the best because I am not sure I was ready then for his voice.
Grandmother said. "And things that were a lot of fun don't mean anything any more. It makes me feel cheated, like what was the point?"
A wise book.
Grandmother said. "And things that were a lot of fun don't mean anything any more. It makes me feel cheated, like what was the point?"
A wise book. About a granddaughter and a grandmother, about the generation of old ones and the youngest one, about those at the beginning and those at the end.
"...every human being has to make his own mistakes."
Some stories (dialogues) were precious because of their charm, some others because of their wisdom.
At first, no one mentioned it. They had developed a habit, over the years, of not talking about painful things, in order to make them less painful.
The book did not have much plot, there was "no ending". It was like opening a diary and reading a part about one summer.
...anything that has to be hidden is a burden.
The style was light and calming - I loved it.
I have one "but", I couldn't get into the descriptions of nature. I just wanted to read the dialogues and thoughts of Sophia and her grandmother.
"I think there is always a barrier with every one," said Mary. "Even if some unusual emotion seems to break it down, it is there again the next tim
"I think there is always a barrier with every one," said Mary. "Even if some unusual emotion seems to break it down, it is there again the next time."
An interesting character-driven novel. F.M. Mayor created a fascinating personality study. It was very satisfying as such.
Yet, I must admit I was struggling with interest at the beginning. Until around a quarter of the book I was telling myself: "Try the next chapter yet, give the novel more chance". But then, finally, it clicked. Perhaps there were too many discussions with Canon Jocelyn at first. No matter what. For the rest of the book, I didn't think of abandoning it....more
Original novel. Point of view needed in books, culture, and everyday life.
I recommend it to everyone, especially to young people who need the most to Original novel. Point of view needed in books, culture, and everyday life.
I recommend it to everyone, especially to young people who need the most to understand and learn to sympathize.
The story and the characters were so real it hurt. Christopher was to the end oneself. No sweet, big, happy changing - because he couldn't change. And his father - one of the best characters I have ever read. He was so great, good, and yet, so human. My heart wept for him. People/parents like him are heroes of humanity. Of course, I don't say that the mother was a bad person. She was just different and coped with difficulties as her personality allowed her. ...more
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