crazytourists_books's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I am not sure I can explain why I liked this novel. It is a small family saga that covers the days and the years of the lives of the protagonists on a small island in Norway. Nothing major happens, no breathtaking events. Just life. The daily struggle, the crushing of dreams and hopes, and the birth of new ones. And maybe that's what makes it special.
mikarala's review against another edition
reflective
relaxing
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? No
3.0
It took me quite a while before I started connecting with this book.
I was really excited to read this because I have a bit of an odd love affair with books set mainly on islands and dealing with island life. Something about the insular, almost claustrophobic feel about them really resonates with me. So I couldn't understand why this story wasn't grabbing me. So much of it details and describes the daily stuggles and triumphs of the Barrøy family over the course of a generation, dealing with the constant dilemma of progress vs. tradition.
This novel features some fascinating family dynamics and the themes of growing up, adulthood, and the trasnfer of authority from parent to child. Those elements didn't really materialize for me until the last third, though, and up until that point I really just felt a bit lost as to what the story was about and where it was going. It's almost slice-of-life, in a way, and that slow pace failed to really engage me.
Overall I can't say I loved this book, but I did enjoy the accessible prose, the atmospheric setting, and the process of watching our heroine, Ingrid, grow up and become an independent and capable adult.
I was really excited to read this because I have a bit of an odd love affair with books set mainly on islands and dealing with island life. Something about the insular, almost claustrophobic feel about them really resonates with me. So I couldn't understand why this story wasn't grabbing me. So much of it details and describes the daily stuggles and triumphs of the Barrøy family over the course of a generation, dealing with the constant dilemma of progress vs. tradition.
This novel features some fascinating family dynamics and the themes of growing up, adulthood, and the trasnfer of authority from parent to child. Those elements didn't really materialize for me until the last third, though, and up until that point I really just felt a bit lost as to what the story was about and where it was going. It's almost slice-of-life, in a way, and that slow pace failed to really engage me.
Overall I can't say I loved this book, but I did enjoy the accessible prose, the atmospheric setting, and the process of watching our heroine, Ingrid, grow up and become an independent and capable adult.
barna_dorottya_emma's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
annabarbarabittner's review
5.0
Spokojna, niespieszna narracja, brak szybkiej akcji, cisza, spokój, siły natury - brzmi mało zachęcająco, prawda? Tymczasem Niewidzialni bardzo mi się podobali. To powieść genialna w swojej prostocie, zarówno narracyjnej, jak i konstrukcyjnej i językowej.
Maleńka wyspa Barrøy, na której mieszka rodzina nosząca takie samo nazwisko. Mama, tata, dziadek, ciocia i Ingrid. Życie na wyspie naznaczone jest przez naturę i ciężką pracę. Ale to właśnie natura i jej kaprysy decydują o życiu - kiedy siać, kiedy zbierać, gdzie paść owce, a gdzie krowy, kiedy łowić, kiedy solić i kiedy suszyć ryby, kiedy zbierać puch edredonów. W rodzinie mówi się mało, decyzje podejmuje się w samotności, zawiadamia o nich, gdy się dokonają. Do szkoły wyjeżdża się na dwa tygodnie, tam poznaje inne życie
Inne życie przynosi też zawijający czasem pastor albo wycieczka do miasta. Ojciec, który na zimę wyjeżdża na Lofoty przywozi pieniądze i podmuch innego świata. A potem ktoś umiera, ktoś się rodzi, ktoś wariuje. I życie się zmienia, a jednak pozostaje takie samo. Trzeba tylko zdecydować, czy warto dopuścić na wyspę postęp czy jednak jest dobrze, jak jest.
Ciąg dalszy: https://przeczytalamksiazke.blogspot.com/2019/08/niewidzialni-roy-jacobsen.html
Maleńka wyspa Barrøy, na której mieszka rodzina nosząca takie samo nazwisko. Mama, tata, dziadek, ciocia i Ingrid. Życie na wyspie naznaczone jest przez naturę i ciężką pracę. Ale to właśnie natura i jej kaprysy decydują o życiu - kiedy siać, kiedy zbierać, gdzie paść owce, a gdzie krowy, kiedy łowić, kiedy solić i kiedy suszyć ryby, kiedy zbierać puch edredonów. W rodzinie mówi się mało, decyzje podejmuje się w samotności, zawiadamia o nich, gdy się dokonają. Do szkoły wyjeżdża się na dwa tygodnie, tam poznaje inne życie
Inne życie przynosi też zawijający czasem pastor albo wycieczka do miasta. Ojciec, który na zimę wyjeżdża na Lofoty przywozi pieniądze i podmuch innego świata. A potem ktoś umiera, ktoś się rodzi, ktoś wariuje. I życie się zmienia, a jednak pozostaje takie samo. Trzeba tylko zdecydować, czy warto dopuścić na wyspę postęp czy jednak jest dobrze, jak jest.
Ciąg dalszy: https://przeczytalamksiazke.blogspot.com/2019/08/niewidzialni-roy-jacobsen.html
manonlarissa's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
thebookbully's review against another edition
4.5
Jacobsen has mastered the art of setting in this novel. In such straightforward and simple language there is an undeniable sense of place. You can almost hear the waves and smell the peat moss.
I loved the characters in this book, so perfectly described that we know exactly who everyone is. I also appreciated how clearly I understood how and why each person reacted to events the way they did.
Reading this was a lovely way to spend time and I will probably continue with this series down the line.
I loved the characters in this book, so perfectly described that we know exactly who everyone is. I also appreciated how clearly I understood how and why each person reacted to events the way they did.
Reading this was a lovely way to spend time and I will probably continue with this series down the line.
gusia's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
bartvanovermeire's review against another edition
2.0
Voorspelbaar verhaaltje dat maar voortkabbelt en kabbelt. Ja, de mensen zijn daar stug en het eilandleven is ruw en verder maken we er geen woorden aan vuil. Letterlijk: 'Maria kwam kijken, ze telde de planken en rekende uit wat het allemaal gekost moest hebben, maar zei niets, op de manier waarop ze altijd niets zei.'
tommooney's review against another edition
4.0
THE UNSEEN by Roy Jacobsen.
What a superb book. Shortlisted for last year's International Booker, it follows the Barroy family as they scratch out a living from the island and waters that bear their name. Isolated oddballs, they fish, farm and produce what they need and sell the rest at a trading post across the water. They live peacefully alone, individually longing for what lies on the mainland yet tied together by blood and history to their family home.
Beautifully written it is, but much of the credit must go to translators Don Bartlett and Don Shaw. They have rendered a book steeped in local custom and dialect into English with great skill.
A wonderful book I will never forget.
What a superb book. Shortlisted for last year's International Booker, it follows the Barroy family as they scratch out a living from the island and waters that bear their name. Isolated oddballs, they fish, farm and produce what they need and sell the rest at a trading post across the water. They live peacefully alone, individually longing for what lies on the mainland yet tied together by blood and history to their family home.
Beautifully written it is, but much of the credit must go to translators Don Bartlett and Don Shaw. They have rendered a book steeped in local custom and dialect into English with great skill.
A wonderful book I will never forget.