thisismine_nb's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
cissy_'s review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
minipurite's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
adventures_of_a_french_reader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
When you read this collection of short stories, you travel from reality, but also through time. En attendant is good example of the latter, in which the Second World War is very much present.
Some are funny, some are sad, sometimes they are both. Always well-written, they offer a good escape from modern life.
Some are funny, some are sad, sometimes they are both. Always well-written, they offer a good escape from modern life.
aclamadoautor's review against another edition
4.0
I'd never heard of Marcel Aymé anywhere. I discovered him here, on Goodreads, while searching for books with strange and different short stories. And I'm really glad I did, because I loved his stories.
All of them start with everyday people and events but, soon, they take a crazy turn and head for something supernatural, humorous and satirical. The stories are entertaining throughout but, sometimes, they pay off only at the very last sentence (something I really enjoy).
From all of the ten stories included in this book, I found that just the last three were not so strong but, nevertheless, quite enjoyable. My favourite ones were:
Sabine Women – A married woman can, at will, multiply herself and exist simultaneously, in both body and mind, in as many places as she wants. She rarely uses her gift until the day when she meets a young man who becomes her lover. This way, she can be with her husband and her lover at the same time. But soon enough, things get out of control.
Tickets on Time – In order to improve productivity and anticipate shortages, the authorities issue time cards, which guarantee to the consumers a certain days of life, per month, according to their degree of uselessness.
The Wife Collector – A very kind tax collector, one who gets remorse when he sends out warnings, has a peculiar meltdown following a disillusion with his wife.
The Man who Walked Through Walls – A man finds out, he has the ability to walk through walks, but never liked to use his power. After the arrival of a new boss who hates him, the man begins to use his ability and begins to suffer a deep transformation.
The Problem of Summertime – In order to avoid the nightmare of war, an international agreement defines that, throughout the world, time would be put forward by seventeen years. This story is one of those that really pays off at the very last sentence.
All of them start with everyday people and events but, soon, they take a crazy turn and head for something supernatural, humorous and satirical. The stories are entertaining throughout but, sometimes, they pay off only at the very last sentence (something I really enjoy).
From all of the ten stories included in this book, I found that just the last three were not so strong but, nevertheless, quite enjoyable. My favourite ones were:
Sabine Women – A married woman can, at will, multiply herself and exist simultaneously, in both body and mind, in as many places as she wants. She rarely uses her gift until the day when she meets a young man who becomes her lover. This way, she can be with her husband and her lover at the same time. But soon enough, things get out of control.
Tickets on Time – In order to improve productivity and anticipate shortages, the authorities issue time cards, which guarantee to the consumers a certain days of life, per month, according to their degree of uselessness.
The Wife Collector – A very kind tax collector, one who gets remorse when he sends out warnings, has a peculiar meltdown following a disillusion with his wife.
The Man who Walked Through Walls – A man finds out, he has the ability to walk through walks, but never liked to use his power. After the arrival of a new boss who hates him, the man begins to use his ability and begins to suffer a deep transformation.
The Problem of Summertime – In order to avoid the nightmare of war, an international agreement defines that, throughout the world, time would be put forward by seventeen years. This story is one of those that really pays off at the very last sentence.
lea_phoe's review against another edition
4.0
I think I have found a hidden gem here. This is a book of 10 short stories which are all really well told and really well translated from french. I wasn't expecting to like this book very much but I was drawn in by each of the stories, particularly The Problem of Summertime and The Seven-League Boots. I am really glad I gave this book a chance and would recommend it.
nanvdand's review against another edition
4.0
I learned of The Man Who Walked Through Walls while researching Paris and hearing about the
monument honoring the author in Montmartre. So I purchased Monsieur Ayme's collection of short stories titled with his most well known story.
The stories are whimsical, sometimes about time travel of some sort, but with an underlying serious tone. As I am writing this in the time of Covid 19 lockdowns, this phrase about "the war" stuck with me: The secret trials [the governments] held came up with nothing very useful...In the meantime, their peoples were getting bored. Civilians of all nations were growing gloomy and ill-tempered.
monument honoring the author in Montmartre. So I purchased Monsieur Ayme's collection of short stories titled with his most well known story.
The stories are whimsical, sometimes about time travel of some sort, but with an underlying serious tone. As I am writing this in the time of Covid 19 lockdowns, this phrase about "the war" stuck with me: The secret trials [the governments] held came up with nothing very useful...In the meantime, their peoples were getting bored. Civilians of all nations were growing gloomy and ill-tempered.
tabathaaaa_'s review against another edition
2.0
2.5 ☆
La première nouvelle, "Le passe-muraille", était assez intéressante et j'ai bien aimé aussi "Les Sabines". Cependant, au fur et à mesure des nouvelles j'ai l'impression que non seulement c'est de plus en plus vague mais aussi très redondant. Je pense juste que je n'ai pas aimé le format nouvelles et le style de Marcel Aymé.
La première nouvelle, "Le passe-muraille", était assez intéressante et j'ai bien aimé aussi "Les Sabines". Cependant, au fur et à mesure des nouvelles j'ai l'impression que non seulement c'est de plus en plus vague mais aussi très redondant. Je pense juste que je n'ai pas aimé le format nouvelles et le style de Marcel Aymé.