Reviews

The Notebook by Ágota Kristóf

lindzlovesreading's review against another edition

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5.0

There is so much I could say about this book. I could go on and on, about all the different theories of what actually happened and try to separate the reality and the fiction, until I go cross eyed just like when you are trying to figure out a time travel story or a James Bond plot. If anyone can explain what they hell happened in Octapussy I would be grateful.

I know this book is meant to be ethereal, an allegory for pretty much any topic you want to name. This is why Agota Kristof might be a genius, this book will become incredibly personal because it will be how you read and see these novels. I read them quickly, drowned myself in it moved with each ebb and flow. The writing is deceptively simple, yet f*$k me sideways. Every character is a merely a construct for the larger game, but this does not stop her writing coiling around you and picking out specific emotions.

I want to read this again. I'm guessing this is a book you can read and re-read and completely worlds hiding under the surface.

phoenix1234's review against another edition

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5.0

کتاب عالی بود
مدتها بود که کتابی به این قشنگی و با مفهومی نخونده بودم
که توی یک روز تمومش کردم

ellachu's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.0

laurencem's review against another edition

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emotional funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

martep's review against another edition

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5.0

For en bok. Jeg hørte denne på lydbok, men kunne ønske jeg hadde fått mitt første møte med denne i fysisk bokform. Ordknapt, brutalt og følelsesløst språk. Det vekker noe i meg, men hva? Fortalt i vi-form fra disse to guttene som er uadskillelige i en brutal verden.

blairmahoney's review against another edition

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5.0

Really impressive and highly confronting. I loved the way each volume turned the previous one on its head. Really spare, direct prose. It reminded me more than anything of Coetzee's Jesus trilogy, and I wonder if it was an influence on that. A trilogy that will live long in my imagination.

ver5us's review against another edition

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5.0

"Why waste time say lot word when few word do trick" must bei Agota Kristofs mantra.
Language blunt as a seal club and equally murderous and cold. Best book I read this year. Brutal, disgusting, disturbing. Loved every page.

ritaralha's review against another edition

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5.0

Ágota Kristof (1935-2011) nasceu na Hungria, mas em 1956, devido ao caos da revolução húngara e à posterior repressão soviética, fugiu para a Suíça com o seu marido e a filha de quatro meses.

Em 1986, publica o seu primeiro romance e primeiro volume da Trilogia da Cidade K.
O caderno grande é um livro extraordinariamente poderoso, tenso e perturbador.
A história passa-se numa aldeia sem nome, numa cidade sem nome, num país sem nome e durante uma guerra sem nome. As personagens não têm nomes, os seus relacionamentos são selvagens e desumanos.
Os capítulos são curtos, escritos com uma prosa simples e que dispensa grandes floreados. Estes capítulos, vamos apercebendo-nos ao longo da obra, são exercícios escritos em segredo pelos gémeos.



Pouco antes da sua morte Ágota Kristof deu uma entrevista que pode ser lida, em inglês, aqui

Em 2013 estreou um filme baseado nesta obra, e cujo trailer pode ser visto aqui

Agora é aguardar que cheguem à biblioteca as duas restantes obras da trilogia.

sireeen's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad 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

4.0

rarecoast's review against another edition

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dark sad tense fast-paced

4.0