wojoy's review against another edition
3.0
OK, this was a tough reading. It took me two months to finish it. Why? Because it tries to express the reality of the character not in a timewise progression, but as one can experience the reality dictated by the biases of human consciousness. The processing of the senses, the recalled memories, it is like an instant, a section in which the brain works its magics for a moment. It is like computational sampling methods which move the object forward in space rather than in time. Maybe he tries to mock our general reading experience or perception as if time moves forward in the fiction we read, although all the plot is timeless and spread out in front of us.
There are many aspects of this book, one can comment on. I like the historical background. The atmosphere of 19th and 20th centuries... I like that it is similar to a bildungsroman as we observe the flourishing of the main character. However I think, as a reader I’m still lacking a grasp on the main character G. He is told to be Don Juan, but I couldn’t see his motives clearly. Nihilism, hedonism, loneliness, rage?? I couldn’t connect the child G with the adult G in my mind.
In conclusion, it’s definitely an experimental novel which requires a playful approach towards reading.
There are many aspects of this book, one can comment on. I like the historical background. The atmosphere of 19th and 20th centuries... I like that it is similar to a bildungsroman as we observe the flourishing of the main character. However I think, as a reader I’m still lacking a grasp on the main character G. He is told to be Don Juan, but I couldn’t see his motives clearly. Nihilism, hedonism, loneliness, rage?? I couldn’t connect the child G with the adult G in my mind.
In conclusion, it’s definitely an experimental novel which requires a playful approach towards reading.
soaptedecarte's review against another edition
3.0
3.5⭐️
G, roman castigator al Premiului Booker in 1972, urmareste viata protagonistului cu acelasi nume, in timp ce isi consolideaza imaginea de Don Juan modern in mai multe tari europene la inceput de secol XX, o perioada neagra a continentului, marcata de conflicte atroce si razmerite ale caror ecouri mai radiaza inca si in ziua de azi.
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Romanul poarta clar amprenta postmodernismului, Berger folosindu-si personajul pentru a explora scena timpurilor printr-o paleta larga de considerente, indeosebi arta, istorie, iubire, sexualitate, politica si conditia femeii pe final de secol XIX, inceput de XX. Linia temporala este intrerupta de lungi fragmente moralizatoare si introspective, naratorul incercand sa intre in dialog cu cititorul, linia de demarcatie dintre cele doua voci - narator si protagonist - estompandu-se pe masura ce lectura inainteaza. Totusi, scriitura este rece si intransigenta, mai degraba o analiza sociala pe planuri multiple, in care protagonistul este controlat si disecat prin lentila naratorului omniscient.
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In prima jumatate a romanului se pregateste scena pentru aparitia lui G pe lume (rezultata din relatia extraconjugala a tatalui, italian respectat din Livorno care se invarte prin cele mai importante cercuri ale vremii, cu mama, americanca stabilita recent la Paris) si urmarim parcursul lui G prin copilaria si adolescenta tumultoasa si marcata de un vid emotional extrem.
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Stilul incisiv, indraznet si cu siguranta extravagant in care Berger alege sa construiasca acest roman, se accentueaza pe masura ce G trece de perioada adolescentei, capatand o maniera din ce in ce mai transanta in timp ce aventurile amoroase se intetesc, iar Europa se apropie de punctul maxim de fierbere.
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Nu este un roman usor, pe alocuri poate fi chiar apasator, frustrant si pretentios, insa poate fi o alegere potrivita pentru cititorii care doresc o mai buna vedere de ansamblu asupra istoriei relativ recente, cu tot ce implica ea.
Multumiri, editura Vellant, pentru exemplarul oferit
G, roman castigator al Premiului Booker in 1972, urmareste viata protagonistului cu acelasi nume, in timp ce isi consolideaza imaginea de Don Juan modern in mai multe tari europene la inceput de secol XX, o perioada neagra a continentului, marcata de conflicte atroce si razmerite ale caror ecouri mai radiaza inca si in ziua de azi.
•
Romanul poarta clar amprenta postmodernismului, Berger folosindu-si personajul pentru a explora scena timpurilor printr-o paleta larga de considerente, indeosebi arta, istorie, iubire, sexualitate, politica si conditia femeii pe final de secol XIX, inceput de XX. Linia temporala este intrerupta de lungi fragmente moralizatoare si introspective, naratorul incercand sa intre in dialog cu cititorul, linia de demarcatie dintre cele doua voci - narator si protagonist - estompandu-se pe masura ce lectura inainteaza. Totusi, scriitura este rece si intransigenta, mai degraba o analiza sociala pe planuri multiple, in care protagonistul este controlat si disecat prin lentila naratorului omniscient.
•
In prima jumatate a romanului se pregateste scena pentru aparitia lui G pe lume (rezultata din relatia extraconjugala a tatalui, italian respectat din Livorno care se invarte prin cele mai importante cercuri ale vremii, cu mama, americanca stabilita recent la Paris) si urmarim parcursul lui G prin copilaria si adolescenta tumultoasa si marcata de un vid emotional extrem.
•
Stilul incisiv, indraznet si cu siguranta extravagant in care Berger alege sa construiasca acest roman, se accentueaza pe masura ce G trece de perioada adolescentei, capatand o maniera din ce in ce mai transanta in timp ce aventurile amoroase se intetesc, iar Europa se apropie de punctul maxim de fierbere.
•
Nu este un roman usor, pe alocuri poate fi chiar apasator, frustrant si pretentios, insa poate fi o alegere potrivita pentru cititorii care doresc o mai buna vedere de ansamblu asupra istoriei relativ recente, cu tot ce implica ea.
Multumiri, editura Vellant, pentru exemplarul oferit
bibliobethreads's review against another edition
2.0
Its a bit hard to describe what this book is about except by saying it is a search for intimacy by our central character G. I can see why it might appeal to Booker judges as the descriptive language is quite lovely at times but I'm afraid to say I found it a bit of a yawn.
kirstiecat's review against another edition
4.0
It's really been too long since I've read this one...it's complicated, rich in terms of texture, and it's ideas in terms of the exploration of relationships, even feminism, are the most forefront in my mind as I recall it. However, it's a complex book deserving of more of a description and I have read too many books inbetween then and now to not get some details mixed up.
taylorelm's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A journey through major historical events of the turn of the last century, set as the background to one man’s journey through lovers across Europe. I’m not sure I fully understand all of this book, but it was a poetic tale of how one person can both impact and be impacted by major events. Even when not trying to be a part of history, by being present you are necessarily part of it anyway.
omw's review against another edition
just got distracted by other berger / hated reading it digitally. will certainly come back.