kealyjules's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rysiaczek's review against another edition
4.0
Najtrafniejsza recenzja:
"Szczerość z jaką Coetzee analizuje swoje myśli i życie, pozwala zrozumieć fundamenty, które stworzyły styl jego pisarstwa"
"Szczerość z jaką Coetzee analizuje swoje myśli i życie, pozwala zrozumieć fundamenty, które stworzyły styl jego pisarstwa"
blearywitch's review against another edition
3.0
Birthday book 11/13 for 2019; boyhood theme (because we were having a baby boy that June).
I wanted to like this book more but it sort of dwindled after the halfway point. At no point did he do anything outstanding in his childhood. He disliked his father but he never stood up to him even when he saw his mother mistreated and the father plunged the family into debt and despair. He never stood up to the children who bullied him in school. He came across as a boy who felt that his mother spoilt him and so he was a rude little shit to his mother alone. He was timid and a coward elsewhere. He wants to be a man but he can't forge relationships with any other male member of the extended family because he feels misunderstood all the damn time. I was hoping to learn about his life as a South African but it was a bit disappointing because he focused mainly on how crappy people are and how badly he behaved. There was no redemption. It's a good thing he can write - that kept me going. I wonder what he thinks of himself now and if his relationships - with his mother, and extended family - has improved.
I wanted to like this book more but it sort of dwindled after the halfway point. At no point did he do anything outstanding in his childhood. He disliked his father but he never stood up to him even when he saw his mother mistreated and the father plunged the family into debt and despair. He never stood up to the children who bullied him in school. He came across as a boy who felt that his mother spoilt him and so he was a rude little shit to his mother alone. He was timid and a coward elsewhere. He wants to be a man but he can't forge relationships with any other male member of the extended family because he feels misunderstood all the damn time. I was hoping to learn about his life as a South African but it was a bit disappointing because he focused mainly on how crappy people are and how badly he behaved. There was no redemption. It's a good thing he can write - that kept me going. I wonder what he thinks of himself now and if his relationships - with his mother, and extended family - has improved.
kaddo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
coetzee describes the world from the eyes of a 12 year old so perfectly. its so relatable for anyone who ever felt alienated. he does a great job in detaching the reader from the characters but at the same time telling his own story.
millefjalland's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.5
silviasbookreviews's review against another edition
2.0
Desde mi punto de vista, es un libro que se te hace muy pesado, ya que cuesta mucho empatizar con el protagonista y la trama tampoco es que me pareciera muy interesante. El libro en sí es muy tedioso, se me hizo demasiada bola, ya que está narrado desde el punto de vista de un niño bastante narcisista y que no me cayó especialmente bien. O sea, el niño se queja de que su madre le sobre protege simplemente porque nunca le ha pegado y siempre le ha tratado bien (!!!); sin embargo, él tiene ciertos comentarios hacia ella que son algo problemáticos… No sé, no me ha conseguido enganchar para nada y leerlo se me ha hecho muy cuesta arriba… Creo que el único aspecto positivo que puedo resaltar de este libro es que realmente me identifiqué con el protagonista en muy pocos momentos, especialmente cuando relata toda esa presión que siente por ser siempre el primero en los estudios y el miedo que siente de fracasar y ser humillado públicamente. Real que esa descripción encaja al 100% conmigo
kq5's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
carumens's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
5.0