softandcrunchy's review against another edition
4.0
A fantastic exploration of childhood that doesn't flinch at those dark, swirling, confused thoughts and emotions that are our companions from such a young age. Dislocation, shame, failure. The constant pull between wanting and rejection that is the human condition, but laid bare through the mind of a child that is every child.
I love the way he positions this brutality of the mind alongside the harsh and threatening landscape of apartheid South Africa.
I love the way he positions this brutality of the mind alongside the harsh and threatening landscape of apartheid South Africa.
stephanieroc's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
pearlholden's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Really interesting observations and perspective. Could have been longer or expanded on certain ideas, as at times things felt they were just left behind and left blank.
pakastajaelvi's review against another edition
3.0
Lukemisen arvoinen. Tarina on tarkkanäköinen, mutta kirjan läpi kulkeva surumielinen elämän realiteetit todentava juonne vähentää omalla kohdallani tähtiä. Hiukan liian synkkä juuri tähän hetkeen, toisella sopivalla hetkellä olisi voinut saada viisikin tähteä. Niin, ja ehkä kuitenkin olisi kannattanut lukea englanniksi. Jäin monessa kohdin miettimään, miten alkuperäinen teksti kuuluu.
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.