Reviews

Picnic sul ghiaccio by Andrey Kurkov

lindsaygail's review against another edition

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3.0

I liked this, but didn't love it. I enjoyed the writing, and I loved Misha(the penguin of the title), however, I got a little frustrated with Viktor as the plot progressed, and the ending left me confused.

anagler's review against another edition

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5.0

I have sadly learned that the title of "Writer of Great Fiction Utilizing A Penguin As A Main Character" has already been taken. And was taken 15 years ago by a Ukrainian author. I picked this up on a whim at the Brooklyn Book Festival. Very, very glad I did.

suns_readingnook's review against another edition

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dark mysterious relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

stehannigan's review against another edition

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5.0

This short novel is our book club choice for November and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. In the end I really enjoyed the pace and setting of the narrative and would definitely recommend to others. One thing though, he drink an awful lot of tea, and from a Scotsman that’s a bit of a statement!

1shoe34's review against another edition

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3.25

GUYS I DID IT I READ A BOOK reading slump WHO??

anyway this was as fun quick read. but like also sad in certain ways. i think i would enjoy it more if i knew a single thing about soviet and post soviet history, which i don't. but the guy has a penguin!! and engages in shenanigans. it was not as funny as the blurb or as my friends that recommended it to me said it would be but that could again just be a not history-pilled skill issue on my part. the last line kinda slaps, considered giving it an extra star just for that

darwinluvr's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

5.0

raghavs's review against another edition

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4.0

Beautifully written book that epitomizes Russian as I have come read over the years.

There is a Penguin in middle of Kiev, taken care by a journalist/author who writes obituaries. Need i say more!

The books takes some time to pick up pace - and not dude to lack of content, but on the contrary takes a deep dive into Post-Soviet Ukraine.

cmurphy808's review against another edition

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dark funny mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

ivegotthepower's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious 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? It's complicated

gamingoverboard's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

The cover and synopsis made this sound a lot more fun than it actually is