corvuscorax's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
4.0
This is a whirlwind of short stories that were a bit hit or miss in terms of quality, but the good ones were really good. I especially liked the ones written from the perspective of a schoolboy, which I found absolutely delightful in their accuracy to the middleschool spirit and their subtle, ironical jabs at the great questions that plague young minds.
There was a noticeable trend toward stories about stories, author interventions etc, which were at times at times unfortunately grating. I did like the ones about poetry from the 6 short stories cycle, though.
I'd recommend this if you want something light, easy to read on public transport. There will be things you will certainly find enjoyable and thought-provoking!
There was a noticeable trend toward stories about stories, author interventions etc, which were at times at times unfortunately grating. I did like the ones about poetry from the 6 short stories cycle, though.
I'd recommend this if you want something light, easy to read on public transport. There will be things you will certainly find enjoyable and thought-provoking!
fallinh's review against another edition
3.0
eklsolo's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
lucasmiller's review against another edition
3.0
This is probably much better than I'm giving it credit for. I liked the description "Sweet Samuel Beckett" the best. Elliptical, timeless, and non-narrative. These prose pieces reminded me of Fernando Pessoa on Abilify. This constructed cheeriness and innocence that bespeaks a deep darkness that remains unrevealed as each piece ends after a page or two. "Hans," the longer piece that ends the collection gets a little closer to the Kafka references that Ben Lerner talks about in the intro. Too deep into quarantine, to stressed and hollowed out. I'll give this one another go a year or two, and will probably be captivated instead of dragging myself through big chunks of it in a few days.
adrianasturalvarez's review against another edition
3.0
These feel entirely flat for me. Often with great brevity, Walser's stories seemed to rely on the reader admiring a static picture or fleeting idea. Rarely did the stories in this collection include a well defined character with a clearly trackable desire and that made them very difficult for me to focus on, or discern value for.
I fully understand Robert Walser is a celebrated writer and that my inability to engage with his work is my own shortcoming, either because I lack proper context or because this translation from Searls has problems (as Walser fans here on GR have complained).
I fully understand Robert Walser is a celebrated writer and that my inability to engage with his work is my own shortcoming, either because I lack proper context or because this translation from Searls has problems (as Walser fans here on GR have complained).
scalchri's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
juiesmei's review against another edition
4.0
There is something so therapeutic and invigorating in Robert Walser's crisp and light as air prose. Walser has a lot to say about the little things around us, and the results are delightful, demonstrated in this lovely collection of essays depicting the seemingly endless road of life. Time seems to slow down as you immerse yourself in the mastery of his writing, and in the chaos of the mind, this book is an oasis that I'd drowned my soul into and found myself again. There is something more, sinister even, that looms beneath the grace with which Walser pens his tales, which fascinates me all the more that such beautiful things can come out of the dark, tethered depths of one's soul. He strikes a perfect balance between happiness and despair, and I'm so very glad to have come across such a transcendent piece of work.
wtfisapoet's review against another edition
This was good, very good. A perfect defense of going on strolls. I would go on but to be quite honest I am enjoying my tea.
lnatal's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent reading, must read more books written by Robert Walser.
TR Berlin Stories
4* A Schoolboy's Diary and Other Stories
TR Berlin Stories
4* A Schoolboy's Diary and Other Stories
karencarlson's review against another edition
2.0
A compilation of the early-20th-C Swiss writer's short fiction. Took me a while to catch on to the first segment; the middle segment was right in my wheelhouse, a compendium of flash. FMI see my blog post at A Just Recompense.