Reviews

Gargoyles by Clara Winston, Richard Winston, Thomas Bernhard

jacobbou's review

challenging dark reflective 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

4.25

ileniazodiaco's review against another edition

4.0

"La tragedia, caro dottore, consiste nel fatto che nulla è mai veramente morto".

Un libro sinistro, senza scampo, delirante. Un ottima lettura di fine anno che fa ben sperare per il futuro.

sara_pavone's review against another edition

4.0

È stata la labirintite a darmi il colpo di grazia mentre leggevo il monologo del principe Saurau, o il monologo del principe Saurau a darmi il colpo di grazia facendomi venire la labirintite? Credo non lo sapremo mai, sicuramente ero molto "perturbata". 5 stelle prima del monologo e 3 stelle dopo (forse leggerlo in un periodo di agitazione interiore propria non è stata una buona idea).

fihman's review against another edition

3.0

My least favorite of his that I've read. So many echoes...

dougus's review

adventurous challenging dark slow-paced

3.75

maddalenabrozzi's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

inkmir's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Misogyny

david_rhee's review against another edition

3.0

A country doctor wants to speak to his son about something important which has been weighing upon him for some time. He takes him along his rounds through the surrounding Austrian mountainous towns and the long lineup of freaks or "gargoyles" begins. It is one grotesque figure after another in quick succession, so that it seems the doctor has forgotten to have that overdue conversation with his son...or was this it? The novel breaks abruptly into the visit to another patient, Prince Saurau, who rattles off on a monologue of startling length. His ramblings have a disarming effect which actually opens one to be more receptive to the more profound words of the mad prince. The dark tones enhanced by a preoccupation with the prospects of one's own decay and death pervade the whole work. The style takes some getting used to, but it should be enjoyable to those who prefer narratives which stream along like the thought associations of a relaxed mind.

sefugaz's review against another edition

4.0

Se me hace una novela como escrita por Cioran, lo cual es bueno, es muy bueno porque me encanta el nihilismo. Lo único malo es el uso excesivo de muletillas, que si bien le da dinamismo al texto, al mismo tiempo esa repetición acaba por ser molesta. Pensaba leerme un grupo de tres novelas pero no. Estoy contento de conocer a Bernhard, pero esperaré un año o más para leerme alguna otra novela. En pequeñas dosis creo que es lo mejor.

lisalotte's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.5