alexsiddall's review
4.0
A telling and funny look at the inescapability of the human condition regardless of age or station in life. Deep and brilliant.
geirertzgaard's review against another edition
4.0
Ville gitt den en klar femmer hvis det ikke var for at femmere skal sitte veldig langt inne. Dette er en ekstremt tankevekkende bok som kommer til å vokse og vokse inn på meg. Tenk deg at forfatteren akkurat nå kom inn i livet ditt, begynte å skrive om deg, og så plutselig om 14 dager narre sluttet å skrive igjen. Sånn er denne boken, ni menn, ni bruddstykker fra ni liv i ulike livsfaser hvor alle - menn - stiller samme spørsmål: Hva er alt dette strevet - hva er en mann?
Sterkt!
Sterkt!
bub_9's review against another edition
4.0
This actually reads a bit more like a short story collection than a novel. But unlike some of the short story collections I have read, the thematic connections are so obvious that makes for a coherent, enjoyable reading experience. There are also one or two explicit links dropped in - fun to discover.
Each story traces some male character, typically traveling somewhere in Europe, and the stories trace a range of ages as well. I would disagree with an assumption that the title sets out the author's ambition to encompass the entirety of modern masculinity (or at least would hope that this was not the author's intent); rather, there are several allusions in the stories made to the idea that it's more a question - All That Man Is? I think my meaning will be clear if you read the book!
Anyway, the thing is the writing, and the writing is splendid. Each character is delicately constructed and distinctive, and we follow their journeys with intrigue and relish. A fun read for anyone perhaps feeling a little wanderlust.
Each story traces some male character, typically traveling somewhere in Europe, and the stories trace a range of ages as well. I would disagree with an assumption that the title sets out the author's ambition to encompass the entirety of modern masculinity (or at least would hope that this was not the author's intent); rather, there are several allusions in the stories made to the idea that it's more a question - All That Man Is? I think my meaning will be clear if you read the book!
Anyway, the thing is the writing, and the writing is splendid. Each character is delicately constructed and distinctive, and we follow their journeys with intrigue and relish. A fun read for anyone perhaps feeling a little wanderlust.
kiri_johnston's review
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
2.5
septimusmith's review against another edition
5.0
Szalay’s writing is very impressive, and unique. Each one of these nine stories have dark, and melancholic undertone which I liked a lot. Nine men all around the world in the search of meaning of life, and existence.
tessaays's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting to read, but ultimately there wasn’t enough hope in any of the characters or stories for this to be an enjoyable reading experience.
whogivesabook's review
4.0
This writer is one of the best writers of fiction alive today. Particularly when it comes to writing men.
I know it's a bit of a raw nerve these days: masculinity. But I find the subject to be deeply fascinating. It's an insight into a world I know very little about. I think very few people would identify me as a particularly masculine being. But there are books that exemplify femininity and there are books that ring out with the masculine. And I revel in them equally.
This spectacular book is 441 pages in 9 parts. Each tells a story of a man at some sort of turning point in his life. My particular favourites were the stories of Simon in part one, Bernard in part two and Aleksandr in part 8. They're dense enough to be novels all their own. They dovetail neatly together. A few little references to characters in other stories knit it together lightly, but not in an overt way.
The characters are ugly, flawed, dishonest, liars... But all those things are their flaws. And they're shown to be flaws, rather than key aspects of their personality. The flaws they have are merely the mistakes they repeatedly make trying to deal with the chaos of their own lives.
They're ill-equipped for dealing with the world they find themselves in. Even the rich Russian guy just fell into his wealth, a lucky guy. Definitely a smart one.
But Szalay presents us with people who are just like the rest of us these days. Anxious, scared of failing, zero willpower, dreamers without conviction.
And the way it's written is stylistically masculine too. You get sketches of people. A brief description of place, person and perspective. Then it's on with the story. Everything is pared back. There's not a lot of colour or detail. It won't be to everyone's taste, but I appreciated it.
This novel is one of those crossroad texts. You read it and you are left with a question: Is this all that man is? It's up to you to decide really. And I think whatever your answer is, you'll be proven right. The world is as we see it.
I know it's a bit of a raw nerve these days: masculinity. But I find the subject to be deeply fascinating. It's an insight into a world I know very little about. I think very few people would identify me as a particularly masculine being. But there are books that exemplify femininity and there are books that ring out with the masculine. And I revel in them equally.
This spectacular book is 441 pages in 9 parts. Each tells a story of a man at some sort of turning point in his life. My particular favourites were the stories of Simon in part one, Bernard in part two and Aleksandr in part 8. They're dense enough to be novels all their own. They dovetail neatly together. A few little references to characters in other stories knit it together lightly, but not in an overt way.
The characters are ugly, flawed, dishonest, liars... But all those things are their flaws. And they're shown to be flaws, rather than key aspects of their personality. The flaws they have are merely the mistakes they repeatedly make trying to deal with the chaos of their own lives.
They're ill-equipped for dealing with the world they find themselves in. Even the rich Russian guy just fell into his wealth, a lucky guy. Definitely a smart one.
But Szalay presents us with people who are just like the rest of us these days. Anxious, scared of failing, zero willpower, dreamers without conviction.
And the way it's written is stylistically masculine too. You get sketches of people. A brief description of place, person and perspective. Then it's on with the story. Everything is pared back. There's not a lot of colour or detail. It won't be to everyone's taste, but I appreciated it.
This novel is one of those crossroad texts. You read it and you are left with a question: Is this all that man is? It's up to you to decide really. And I think whatever your answer is, you'll be proven right. The world is as we see it.
rachaelsreadingnook's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
chloegwen16's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
js1512's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Definitely blows hot and cold between its multiple short stories. However I rate it 3.75 because the stories that are successful (in particular stories 3-5, number 7 and especially- what I believe to be the standout section of this book- the 9th and final story) are incredibly successful and well written.
The book well demonstrates the experience of male life throughout years, however veers somewhat into repetition, an excessive amount of London-centric plots, and certain descriptions of women which make parts difficult to enjoy.
The book well demonstrates the experience of male life throughout years, however veers somewhat into repetition, an excessive amount of London-centric plots, and certain descriptions of women which make parts difficult to enjoy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Death of parent, Car accident, and Classism