mdabernig's review against another edition
2.0
I can see what the author was trying to do with this book, and perhaps if I had read it at a different time, or was in a different mood, or re-read it again, I would get it more than I did on this reading. The book is split into three parts (as a child, as a man, a novelisation), with the author telling the story of his mother and her great love affair with a man who wasn't his father, and how that caused her all the issues he was aware of while growing up.
The first part of the book just takes too long to engage you, the second part is brief and the third part (the novel) is good, but I just didn't feel a lot of affection or a connection with the characters so the emotional conclusion just didn't affect me as much as it seemed to affect some people. I just didn't really care enough to be bothered. The third part of the book does effectively fill in the blanks of earlier in the book, but I just wonder if the story would have benefited from a less unorthodox style of telling the story.
It's well written (although a little flowery in places) and, as I said, I can see what he was trying to do, but for me he just didn't pull it off successfully.
The first part of the book just takes too long to engage you, the second part is brief and the third part (the novel) is good, but I just didn't feel a lot of affection or a connection with the characters so the emotional conclusion just didn't affect me as much as it seemed to affect some people. I just didn't really care enough to be bothered. The third part of the book does effectively fill in the blanks of earlier in the book, but I just wonder if the story would have benefited from a less unorthodox style of telling the story.
It's well written (although a little flowery in places) and, as I said, I can see what he was trying to do, but for me he just didn't pull it off successfully.
platch_woolf's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
lkshedlin's review against another edition
3.0
Loved the story but after reading Brewster his writing is somewhat formulaic
analyticali's review against another edition
3.0
I do not know who really thought that this book resembled The English Patient (inappropriate love affair?) or Milan Kundera (Czech-ness?). It was an ok book that I liked for the historical bits about the paratrooper assassins and the Czech towns, which were mentioned and which I biked through/slept in last summer.
brontebucket's review against another edition
2.0
Short fiction about 1940a occupied Prague. Narrator is US born Czech immigrant searching to understand his mother’s past (Ivan’s - spontaneous & vibrant). Travels to Prague to see what he can discover.
Mixed feelings about the book. Battled with it until the real story of Ivana and Tomas kicks in around page 131!! Found it unnecessarily wordy. Hard work for little plot gain. Simple story spun out. No strong ending. I found it frustrating.
Mixed feelings about the book. Battled with it until the real story of Ivana and Tomas kicks in around page 131!! Found it unnecessarily wordy. Hard work for little plot gain. Simple story spun out. No strong ending. I found it frustrating.
mdabernig's review against another edition
2.0
I can see what the author was trying to do with this book, and perhaps if I had read it at a different time, or was in a different mood, or re-read it again, I would get it more than I did on this reading. The book is split into three parts (as a child, as a man, a novelisation), with the author telling the story of his mother and her great love affair with a man who wasn't his father, and how that caused her all the issues he was aware of while growing up.
The first part of the book just takes too long to engage you, the second part is brief and the third part (the novel) is good, but I just didn't feel a lot of affection or a connection with the characters so the emotional conclusion just didn't affect me as much as it seemed to affect some people. I just didn't really care enough to be bothered. The third part of the book does effectively fill in the blanks of earlier in the book, but I just wonder if the story would have benefited from a less unorthodox style of telling the story.
It's well written (although a little flowery in places) and, as I said, I can see what he was trying to do, but for me he just didn't pull it off successfully.
The first part of the book just takes too long to engage you, the second part is brief and the third part (the novel) is good, but I just didn't feel a lot of affection or a connection with the characters so the emotional conclusion just didn't affect me as much as it seemed to affect some people. I just didn't really care enough to be bothered. The third part of the book does effectively fill in the blanks of earlier in the book, but I just wonder if the story would have benefited from a less unorthodox style of telling the story.
It's well written (although a little flowery in places) and, as I said, I can see what he was trying to do, but for me he just didn't pull it off successfully.
imbookingit's review against another edition
I'm not rating this book. I appreciate that it is a very good book, with beautiful writing and interesting ideas and an unusual structure.
I just didn't enjoy reading it. The words got in my way, keeping me from bonding with the characters, from being drawn into the plot.
I just didn't enjoy reading it. The words got in my way, keeping me from bonding with the characters, from being drawn into the plot.
btimlake's review against another edition
4.0
Innovative structure and beautiful writing. This book sticks with me years later.
dorian_gray's review against another edition
1.0
A slow-paced read with very little in the way of interest, despite the rich historical setting and huge potential.
sionnac's review
4.0
Moving back and forth in time, story of great beauty and loss. Never read this author before. Especially enjoyed the retelling, through various characters, of folktales and dreams.
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