poojakishinani's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5
I have a lot of feelings about this book. I read it while travelling, living out of my backpack, so I could certainly relate to some of the stories and anecdotes. But I also was very lost most of the time, without much clue about what's going on... nor did I have the mental capacity or patience to decipher certain historical stories. Maybe I'll enjoy it more if I read it again someday.
I have a lot of feelings about this book. I read it while travelling, living out of my backpack, so I could certainly relate to some of the stories and anecdotes. But I also was very lost most of the time, without much clue about what's going on... nor did I have the mental capacity or patience to decipher certain historical stories. Maybe I'll enjoy it more if I read it again someday.
nelw's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
elzbethmrgn's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
smalefowles's review against another edition
5.0
While I wasn't quite prepared for how much of this book was just listening to someone think, Tokarczuk's thoughts are just so A+ that I loved this book.
baurnord's review against another edition
slow-paced
3.5
I loved "Drive your plow over the bones of the dead" by Tokarczuk and I was excited to try a second book by the author. This book was challenging for me, the first half especially didn't grip me and I wasn't particularly pulled in by the characters or the plot. Tokarczuk is a very talented author who writes beautifully and communicates interesting philosophical thought through her novels which was clear in this book. However, without a central plot or characters to connect to it was hard to find a reason to keep reading. The second half picked up but it felt more like a philosophical manifesto than a novel. It's possible I am also not the main intended audience; anyone who feels like travel has a significant impact on their life may get more from this than I did. In the end, I think it was well written and worth reading but it wasn't very gripping and I wouldn't recommend it to most of my friends.
gsroney's review against another edition
3.0
Like with any collection of essays or stories, this was hit or miss, but I found myself thinking that I would enjoy this book more if something like 50% of it were edited away. While some pieces offered interesting perspective, the collection as a whole was somewhat chaotically organized without apparent connection, which made for a less enjoyable reading experience.
clairemariarose's review against another edition
3.0
well this took me all month lol
not sure this rating is quite fair because i’m not in the best ~reading mental space~ right now, but this format didn’t quite work for me. i found it hard to follow, although i can appreciate the experimental nature of it. maybe if i had more brain power to give this book i would have enjoyed it more. :/
olga october was attempted at least lol
not sure this rating is quite fair because i’m not in the best ~reading mental space~ right now, but this format didn’t quite work for me. i found it hard to follow, although i can appreciate the experimental nature of it. maybe if i had more brain power to give this book i would have enjoyed it more. :/
olga october was attempted at least lol