27chickpeas's review against another edition
3.0
This is a short book-- Cons:
It is so slow. The main character is abhorrent and gross. He has few redeeming qualities.
Pros: There's some interesting reflections on life and I enjoyed reading about Swedish scenery. Overall, wouldn't recommend it.
It is so slow. The main character is abhorrent and gross. He has few redeeming qualities.
Spoiler
He tries to rape a woman whose arm he has previously cut off???Pros: There's some interesting reflections on life and I enjoyed reading about Swedish scenery. Overall, wouldn't recommend it.
philautia's review against another edition
3.0
It was nice, I liked the writing style and the story.
jarichan's review against another edition
2.0
Als ich jünger war, gab mir meine Mutter ein paar Bücher von Henning Mankell zu lesen. Ich sagte, dass ich sie mochte, obwohl ich es eigentlich nicht tat. Da es sich jedoch zeigt, dass sich der Lesegeschmack über die Jahre ändern kann (siehe Max Frisch), dachte ich, ich könnte es noch einmal mit Mankell versuchen.
In diesem Falle jedoch vergebens. Denn Mankell ist noch immer nicht meins.
Ich fühlte mich, als sei ich ein Eindringling in die Geschichte, als würden mich die Figuren gar nicht dabei haben wollen. Auch kam mir das Buch vor wie ein übermässig gefüllter Koffer. Zwar geht es grundsätzlich ums Sterben, aber Mankell stopft noch so viel mehr in diese paar Seiten, dass es einfach zu viel wurde. Zumindest für mich.
Je nachdem versuche ich mich mit 60 noch einmal an Makell. Vielleicht.
In diesem Falle jedoch vergebens. Denn Mankell ist noch immer nicht meins.
Ich fühlte mich, als sei ich ein Eindringling in die Geschichte, als würden mich die Figuren gar nicht dabei haben wollen. Auch kam mir das Buch vor wie ein übermässig gefüllter Koffer. Zwar geht es grundsätzlich ums Sterben, aber Mankell stopft noch so viel mehr in diese paar Seiten, dass es einfach zu viel wurde. Zumindest für mich.
Je nachdem versuche ich mich mit 60 noch einmal an Makell. Vielleicht.
randybo5's review against another edition
3.0
Certainly a well written book, but I never warmed up to the main character. A great description of the strong power of inertia as a ruling power in our lives.
oftalone90's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
pattieod's review against another edition
4.0
Plot: not much
Likable hero: not really
Ends tied up by end of book: only sort of
And yet Mankell is such a good writer that it still holds the interest.
My only complaint is that the first person narrator keeps describing how he "let the dog out" or "let the cat out" and I am distracted, wondering if he's going to let them in again, or leave them out there to freeze (given that some wild animals freeze to death on his cold, northern island).
Likable hero: not really
Ends tied up by end of book: only sort of
And yet Mankell is such a good writer that it still holds the interest.
My only complaint is that the first person narrator keeps describing how he "let the dog out" or "let the cat out" and I am distracted, wondering if he's going to let them in again, or leave them out there to freeze (given that some wild animals freeze to death on his cold, northern island).
nike_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mellanclear's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
redsoxjedi's review against another edition
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this story of a lovable curmudgeon who has kept almost completely to himself on his ancestral family island in the fjords of Sweden for the last 12 years. Learn about how he came to be on the island, his past love and how he starts to reawaken.