Reviews

Засолниште во времето by Georgi Gospodinov

volkerball86nox's review against another edition

5.0

Five stars are not enough for this, instead this gas balloon of memory that has sent me to the seventh heaven of nostalgia from where I am now viewing the entire history of my own country, deserves more recognition and that more people read it. My unfulfilled heart and quality-literature-starved brain has become delightfully and, at the same time, sadly, overwhelmed with this second-hand memory of a country that one can not return to, a childhood one cannot access, and a life that one is fast-forgetting. And what if one tries to return to that forcefully created past? Something that a lot of countries are being forced to experience in different ways. One experiences an utter disaster of the senses and memories, because what one remembers as a beautiful and safe past soon becomes a horrific and destructive present-disguised-as past. I am in love with this novel, I hope to reminisce reading it in the somewhat overwhelming 30th year of my life, when things were as chaotic and memorable as the events in this novel. Also, I am more confident in my supposedly delusional thoughts now that I know I am not the only one thinking this way. Go Gospodinov!

lynleybidlake's review against another edition

mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

nooshyreads's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

klazu's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

sve100's review against another edition

5.0

Не мога да си представя по-подходящо време за излизане (и четене) на този роман.
По време на неочаквания край на света, когато бъдещето е неизвестно, а настоящето - болезнено, остава само да се обърнем към миналото, което, както винаги, е по-хубаво в спомените.
Четенето на "Времеубежище" е като разговор със стар приятел, с когото имате общи спомени, но все по-рядко се чувате и все по-малко има какво да си кажете. Всичко вече сте си казали (и премълчали), времето ви е минало, било е не чак толкова отдавна, но е в друг живот, който няма как да се върне.
Ако разказването ни помага да оцелеем, то "Времеубежище" е една история без край, лабиринт от стаи, из които се лутаме и не можем да излезем. Бяхме ли вече тук? Или някой друг ни разказа какви плакати е имало на вратата на детската му стая. Този спомен за миризмата на портокали само по Коледа наш ли е или го прочетохме някъде?
Как се живее в свят, в който имаш само минало и дори не си сигурен, че и то е твое?
Може би единствено мимолетните срещи с другите лутащи се ни дават шанс да си спомним откъде сме тръгнали. И да се позагубим заедно в някакво още безформено, но не толкова враждебно бъдеще.

sve100's review against another edition

5.0

It is an interesting experience to read a book that is originally written in Bulgarian in an English translation.
Angela Rodel has done a great job with translating the novel and I really hope the book will appeal to the English speaking readers.

onthecouch's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

4.0

Nostalgia just ain’t what it used to be. 
This Booker International winner (2023) looks at how reflecting on the past and even escaping into it can be soothing. 
As we’re lulled into a sense of security (yes, we’re the readers are sucked in too) we are reminded that one persons sorting past is another’s trauma. 
Which past would you choose? Would your bestie make the same choice?

_inge_'s review against another edition

challenging mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

gndc10's review against another edition

challenging dark 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? No

2.5

flyingfox02's review against another edition

challenging reflective slow-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0