read_my_mind's review
2.0
This novel grasps that atmosphere of late-socialist slop very well of which I caught some remnants as a child growing up in Hungary in the early 90s. It evoked the mental images of the apartments in the block-of flats, the monstera plants, the used, brown furniture and most of all the political apathy, neighbors policing one another and the overall failure of the system damaging peoples' mindsets, eradicating empathy for one another and creating a penny-pinching attitude between those who truly lack prospect and don't see any other way to get ahead but by pushing the others down. That said, I was tired of the plot not going anywhere and the narrator coming back again and again to just whine about the system and how soul-killing it is. We get it. It was shit. It was destroying your individualism. But is this story even going somewhere else or is it going to repeat over and over again how shit everything is? I abandoned the book somewhat after the halfway point.
The main character's particular way of resistance did not sit well with me and I did not appreciate the stereotyping of the Eastern-bloc "prostitute" (event though she was not just doing it for the money, because she was "not like other girls", it was her personal "drug" and getaway). This story did not age well in my opinion.
Our protagonist was not very likeable, and perhaps a product of her era and society as much as the other people around her she was constantly complaining about. I felt sorry for her but I was more annoyed at her.
The main character's particular way of resistance did not sit well with me and I did not appreciate the stereotyping of the Eastern-bloc "prostitute" (event though she was not just doing it for the money, because she was "not like other girls", it was her personal "drug" and getaway). This story did not age well in my opinion.
Our protagonist was not very likeable, and perhaps a product of her era and society as much as the other people around her she was constantly complaining about. I felt sorry for her but I was more annoyed at her.
elkcariboubiologist's review
5.0
One of the best books I've ever read. It's the first in a 'series' of 3 that I believe are a bit autobiographical. This is by far the best. To me, it's about maintaining individuality. I would highly recommend this!
cmvoelkel's review
4.0
This is a rare gem of a book and it is a real shame that it isn‘t more widely known or read. It was unlike anything I’ve read before and this character will stay with me for a long time to come. At first I had a hard time following the style of this storyline but once I approached it as more of a memoir than a novel, I appreciated this story much more. Especially in her descriptions of the „rainbows“ Fialka and Patrik seek, there are some absolutely gorgeous passages.
I find it fascinating to read the reviews here and see just how differently people respond to this book. I couldn’t disagree more with those who say this is a novel about prostitution or sex. For me it was a book about liberation, the lines between individuality and community, the relativity of courage and the power of living one‘s own truth, regardless of what that might be. I can see that this would be an ideal book club book which would lead to lots of lively discussion about how differently people see this character and the choices she makes. A unique and unforgettable read I would definitely recommend.
I find it fascinating to read the reviews here and see just how differently people respond to this book. I couldn’t disagree more with those who say this is a novel about prostitution or sex. For me it was a book about liberation, the lines between individuality and community, the relativity of courage and the power of living one‘s own truth, regardless of what that might be. I can see that this would be an ideal book club book which would lead to lots of lively discussion about how differently people see this character and the choices she makes. A unique and unforgettable read I would definitely recommend.
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