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carojust's review against another edition
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Man discovers empathy, chaos ensues.
This is an interesting study on the effect of pity, from a drop of consideration, to a cascading community upheaval. A young lieutenant named Hofmiller retells his experience with the wealthy Kekesfalva family, starting with his shameful blunder -- asking young Edith to dance, then realizing she's disabled.
It took me a while to appreciate Stefan Zweig's prose, which is immediately dramatic; monologues feel endless, though it's all in service of dragging you into the emotional turmoil of each character, mostly Hofmiller.
This book reminded me how entwined selfishness and selflessness are, despite being sold as wholly separate. Hofmiller feels proud and light, strong and capable, as he offers his presence to the family as a charity. Yet in his mind, Edith is a monster, the sounds of her crutches haunting him, her petulant outbursts controlling both him and the family. Zweig brilliantly creates the most destestable characters, and it's their self pity that creates the most destruction.
You'll love this if you're into translated historical fiction, thought-provoking takes on societal pressure and constructs, and themes about prejudice and misogyny.
This is an interesting study on the effect of pity, from a drop of consideration, to a cascading community upheaval. A young lieutenant named Hofmiller retells his experience with the wealthy Kekesfalva family, starting with his shameful blunder -- asking young Edith to dance, then realizing she's disabled.
It took me a while to appreciate Stefan Zweig's prose, which is immediately dramatic; monologues feel endless, though it's all in service of dragging you into the emotional turmoil of each character, mostly Hofmiller.
This book reminded me how entwined selfishness and selflessness are, despite being sold as wholly separate. Hofmiller feels proud and light, strong and capable, as he offers his presence to the family as a charity. Yet in his mind, Edith is a monster, the sounds of her crutches haunting him, her petulant outbursts controlling both him and the family. Zweig brilliantly creates the most destestable characters, and it's their self pity that creates the most destruction.
You'll love this if you're into translated historical fiction, thought-provoking takes on societal pressure and constructs, and themes about prejudice and misogyny.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Chronic illness, Death, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Self harm, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Classism
maddiejoyce's review against another edition
reflective
tense
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Suicide and War
Minor: Self harm and Antisemitism
subdue_provide75's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.5
A book from the 1930s about disability, seemingly unafraid of getting into the trickier moral questions surrounding ableism.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Chronic illness, Confinement, Self harm, and Gaslighting