Reviews

Das Totenschiff by B. Traven

towercorvid's review against another edition

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dark funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

blairmahoney's review against another edition

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5.0

I was interested in this as it was a strong part of the inspiration for the JJ Abrams/Doug Dorst novel S. (with all of its additional elements). Traven was a mysterious figure and this novel, dating from the 1930s, is a mysterious work. It has strong shades of Kafka as the narrator battles with bureaucracy through the first part of the novel before he finds himself on the death ship of the title, a torturous vessel that seems to have lasted millennia. The descriptions of life on board the ship are as detailed an indictment of life for the working classes as you're likely to read. It's all done in a kind of deadpan ironic tone that can be very humorous, though. It's a really terrific novel.

nonlinearpaolo's review against another edition

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adventurous dark reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

kagera's review

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adventurous reflective medium-paced

4.0

suzaz's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

4.25

he_slaughtered's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

readmetwotimes's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark funny inspiring reflective tense slow-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? It's complicated

4.25

Un'allegoria del capitalismo costruita in maniera geniale. Consigliato!!

guardtristan's review against another edition

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german print from 1960

brainemptyjust's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

tnt307's review against another edition

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1.0

I guess I'm not the type to read about ships and sailors. I'm not sure what is happening, I managed to read the first 70 pages, and there still was no sight of a ship. Maybe some other time.