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tomleetang's review against another edition
3.0
A methodical, passionate denunciation of corrupt journalistic practices and the thoughtless (sometimes malicious and dangerous) incitement of the populace by the media. The way the novel's reporters paraphrase quotes is shocking, and the lack of journalistic integrity is so severe as to seem an anachronism - and yet less than two years ago there was the highly publicised revelation that one of Germany's most respected publications, Der Spiegel, had published several stories composed almost entirely of falsehoods.
Boll's language seems purposefully to obfuscate meaning, the dry, stilted words of the 'reports' impeding clarity, as if to show that even 'facts,' when disarranged, can conceal overarching truth.
The Lost Honour of Katharina Blum is a disturbing book to read: the sexual harassment is unrelenting, to the extent that Katharina's desperation to believe in a barely-there romance gets more and more believable as the novel goes on. Yet, it is the woman who is made the scapegoat for the unwelcome advances of the numerous men.
Boll's language seems purposefully to obfuscate meaning, the dry, stilted words of the 'reports' impeding clarity, as if to show that even 'facts,' when disarranged, can conceal overarching truth.
The Lost Honour of Katharina Blum is a disturbing book to read: the sexual harassment is unrelenting, to the extent that Katharina's desperation to believe in a barely-there romance gets more and more believable as the novel goes on. Yet, it is the woman who is made the scapegoat for the unwelcome advances of the numerous men.
jedd_e's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
pichulabs's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Wunderschöne und zeitlose Kritik an den Einfluss der Medien!
bambooty's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
julee_melii's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Sexism and Sexual violence
Minor: Toxic relationship
hollyhobbit101's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
helgamharb's review against another edition
3.0
Written in the form of a documentary, the story is about Katharina Blum, a cheerful, hardworking and carefree woman who four days after attending a dance with a couple of friends, becomes a murderer.
As we read the report we begin to understand the circumstances that led a perfectly innocent woman to commit a crime.
As we read the report we begin to understand the circumstances that led a perfectly innocent woman to commit a crime.
katiwe's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
yongxiang's review against another edition
3.0
Media sensationalism bad. Okay. The omniscient, didactic tone didn't really get me invested in the story.
sternfrl613's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.75