sandraserkownek's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
insomniac's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
vgk's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was a gripping read. I didn't see any of the twists coming. The period detail made it feel like I was living through the summer of 1989 in West Berlin, even though I was really in the wet Autumn of rural Ireland in 2023. A great book.
synnereads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
This book reminded me of a couple of beloved pieces of Norwegian fiction:
The book "Mannen som elsket Yngve" by Tore Renberg and the story of Isak and Even in the TV-show "Skam". But with an entirely different setting, and with some unexepcted turns in the second half. I'll say no more:)
The personal and the political was elegantly interwoven, and I really got a feel for these liberal Brits living in West Berlin in 1989 and the surrounding historical era.
Very interesting and very enjoyable.
The book "Mannen som elsket Yngve" by Tore Renberg and the story of Isak and Even in the TV-show "Skam". But with an entirely different setting, and with some unexepcted turns in the second half. I'll say no more:)
The personal and the political was elegantly interwoven, and I really got a feel for these liberal Brits living in West Berlin in 1989 and the surrounding historical era.
Very interesting and very enjoyable.
jess_mc205's review against another edition
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
dylanpk's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
franb's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
kurtie's review against another edition
4.0
3 1/2. Good story: nostalgia, suspense, Berlin! I was never really sure what was true but I think that was the author‘s intention.
clmckinney's review against another edition
5.0
This about a young 18 year old in West Berlin in 1989. The novel delves into intrigue whilst a young man is discovering his sexuality. For me, a gay tale with spy elements is a great combo. I really liked the tone of this novel. I often like Irish novels for their warmth, I would say this book has a decidedly candid approach to family and friends that is both comedic and natural. I am adored Ben Fergusson's writing a lot. The intrigue was well done and clever. And it was not overdone, but simple in its plotting. I give this one a 5/5. I look forward to future novels by Mr. Fergusson.
markhoh's review against another edition
5.0
Ben Fergusson’s An Honest Man, is an absolutely multilayered, multi themed, provocative narrative set in 1989 at one of the most pivotal period’s in the modern history of Berlin, Germany, Europe and indeed the world. I remember being glued to the television as the Berlin Wall came down, mesmerised by the desperation and triumph symbolised by this event, and wondering what it truly meant for those whose lives had been defined by this foreboding barrier.
Against this backdrop we meet Ralf, a West Berliner, at a cusp and cross road between school and university, caught in his own web of confusion and repression. An Honest Man is a journey into dishonesty, deceit, lies, humanity, fear and discovery. The notion that people are not what they seem underpins this journey and the evocative space of political unrest and Cold War espionage, give this theme fertile ground.
Ralf is a complex young man, coming to grips with himself in a totally relatable way. “I was constantly second guessing what people wanted from me, always aware that there were many thoughts and feelings I was necessarily burying.” (p58). As his family, Berlin and the communist bloc unravels around him, Ralf embarks on his own personal journey of unravelling as he navigates himself. Ultimately, Ralf is very courageous, and there is a resolve that is realised as the wall succumbs, symbolic of the breakthroughs in Ralf’s own life.
One thing that stood out to me too was the revelation that people aren’t necessarily who we know them to be. I’m confronted by this thought. Who are people anyway? Are people the sum of what I believe them to be or of what my experience of them is? Or are people inherently individual and ultimately unknowable?
I’m going to give this 4.5 stars and definitely round to 5. The 4.5 is only because of the slightly cliche very last few sentences for me - just a personal opinion but otherwise absolutely mesmerised by this one.
Against this backdrop we meet Ralf, a West Berliner, at a cusp and cross road between school and university, caught in his own web of confusion and repression. An Honest Man is a journey into dishonesty, deceit, lies, humanity, fear and discovery. The notion that people are not what they seem underpins this journey and the evocative space of political unrest and Cold War espionage, give this theme fertile ground.
Ralf is a complex young man, coming to grips with himself in a totally relatable way. “I was constantly second guessing what people wanted from me, always aware that there were many thoughts and feelings I was necessarily burying.” (p58). As his family, Berlin and the communist bloc unravels around him, Ralf embarks on his own personal journey of unravelling as he navigates himself. Ultimately, Ralf is very courageous, and there is a resolve that is realised as the wall succumbs, symbolic of the breakthroughs in Ralf’s own life.
One thing that stood out to me too was the revelation that people aren’t necessarily who we know them to be. I’m confronted by this thought. Who are people anyway? Are people the sum of what I believe them to be or of what my experience of them is? Or are people inherently individual and ultimately unknowable?
I’m going to give this 4.5 stars and definitely round to 5. The 4.5 is only because of the slightly cliche very last few sentences for me - just a personal opinion but otherwise absolutely mesmerised by this one.