divyaiyer's review against another edition
3.0
When I picked up this book for a read, my basic assumption was that I was picking up a sci-fi title. The name suggested that, and whatever I read of the blurb did too. I have read science fiction before, but mainly of the Michael Crichton genre. Thrillers, in one word. But when I finally read this book, in the first couple of chapters I realised, this, was not that.
So what is 'The Clockwork man' about? As the name suggests, it is about a machine-man, called Ernst. One who is invented by a famous clockmaker of the 19th century. Still sounds like science fiction? Well, this is where it ends.
The Clockwork man takes you on a through and through emotional journey, all from the eyes of this machine-man, who is supposed to have no feelings, no emotions. "Created to fascinate, designed to serve, until he broke free”, he lives to this tagline. He is treated as a member of the family by his creator, and he lives for them, to serve them.
Ernst, is not a mere invention, he is an individual. And the book is narrated in the form of his diary where he notes down all that he sees, his views on 'his' family, especially about Giselle, the inventor's daughter, for whom he has a soft corner, something unlikely in a machine.
The language and the visuals in the narrative are very 19th century, which adds to the authenticity of the tale. Half the book later, circumstances change, and Ernst wakes up in 2005. The contrast between the time periods is depicted in a very fascinating manner.
That being said, I found it difficult to associate the feelings of Ernst to someone who is not supposed to have any, and I kept imagining him as just another person, perhaps a servant, who is indebted to the family, and in general is too innocent to understand the ways of the world. That made the story more believable, especially in the second half, when he reminisces the past often.
Overall, an interesting read, because it gives you an unlikely combination of sentiments and science fiction. But I would still suggest you give it a go, if the concept interests you. And also because, overall, the narration, the contrasts drawn in time and the visuals depicted , are quite impressive.
So what is 'The Clockwork man' about? As the name suggests, it is about a machine-man, called Ernst. One who is invented by a famous clockmaker of the 19th century. Still sounds like science fiction? Well, this is where it ends.
The Clockwork man takes you on a through and through emotional journey, all from the eyes of this machine-man, who is supposed to have no feelings, no emotions. "Created to fascinate, designed to serve, until he broke free”, he lives to this tagline. He is treated as a member of the family by his creator, and he lives for them, to serve them.
Ernst, is not a mere invention, he is an individual. And the book is narrated in the form of his diary where he notes down all that he sees, his views on 'his' family, especially about Giselle, the inventor's daughter, for whom he has a soft corner, something unlikely in a machine.
The language and the visuals in the narrative are very 19th century, which adds to the authenticity of the tale. Half the book later, circumstances change, and Ernst wakes up in 2005. The contrast between the time periods is depicted in a very fascinating manner.
That being said, I found it difficult to associate the feelings of Ernst to someone who is not supposed to have any, and I kept imagining him as just another person, perhaps a servant, who is indebted to the family, and in general is too innocent to understand the ways of the world. That made the story more believable, especially in the second half, when he reminisces the past often.
Overall, an interesting read, because it gives you an unlikely combination of sentiments and science fiction. But I would still suggest you give it a go, if the concept interests you. And also because, overall, the narration, the contrasts drawn in time and the visuals depicted , are quite impressive.
lalulorlor's review against another edition
5.0
What an incredibly weird but beautiful book. I loved it.
crazygoangirl's review against another edition
4.0
Stumbled upon this book on one of my weekend bookstore jaunts. It seemed interesting and on reading, it was!
Based on the intriguing concept of a man made entirely of clockwork and his life in the house of his creator, his 'Master'; a genius German clock maker and a good human being; the story is narrated in the first person by Ernst - The Clockwork Man himself. Written in the form of a memoir, it's a quaint story of love, loss and survival spanning centuries. It's a simple, easy read that is bittersweet and yet strangely uplifting. Ernst is a 'gentleman', and his narrative is appropriately 'gentleman-like'. His love for Giselle and it's consequences - direct and indirect form the crux of the story and yet we are also treated to a glimpse of everyday life in a small German town, and a telling look at the human psyche as the people surrounding him react to his uniquely strange appearance, to the very miracle that is his existence. His interactions with humans - make for some interesting encounters and enjoyable reading.
Ernst's appearance and existence - best described as a transitional form of life, hovering somewhere between robot and human is fascinating. There are times when he seems closer to an automaton and others when he behaves entirely like a human! My only wish was for the author to have described his physicality in as much detail as he did his emotions and thoughts. He lightly touches on the fact of a 'brain' made of light, translucent discs, but never goes into actual details of how, where, and why. Perhaps this is an intentional attempt to enhance the mystery, which it does, but I would have preferred more details. I don't know whether this book fits into the sci-fi slot, coz it reads more like drama, but I suppose one can loosely consider it such based on the basic premise.
All in all, an enjoyable read, that I'm not likely to forget in a hurry.
Based on the intriguing concept of a man made entirely of clockwork and his life in the house of his creator, his 'Master'; a genius German clock maker and a good human being; the story is narrated in the first person by Ernst - The Clockwork Man himself. Written in the form of a memoir, it's a quaint story of love, loss and survival spanning centuries. It's a simple, easy read that is bittersweet and yet strangely uplifting. Ernst is a 'gentleman', and his narrative is appropriately 'gentleman-like'. His love for Giselle and it's consequences - direct and indirect form the crux of the story and yet we are also treated to a glimpse of everyday life in a small German town, and a telling look at the human psyche as the people surrounding him react to his uniquely strange appearance, to the very miracle that is his existence. His interactions with humans - make for some interesting encounters and enjoyable reading.
Ernst's appearance and existence - best described as a transitional form of life, hovering somewhere between robot and human is fascinating. There are times when he seems closer to an automaton and others when he behaves entirely like a human! My only wish was for the author to have described his physicality in as much detail as he did his emotions and thoughts. He lightly touches on the fact of a 'brain' made of light, translucent discs, but never goes into actual details of how, where, and why. Perhaps this is an intentional attempt to enhance the mystery, which it does, but I would have preferred more details. I don't know whether this book fits into the sci-fi slot, coz it reads more like drama, but I suppose one can loosely consider it such based on the basic premise.
All in all, an enjoyable read, that I'm not likely to forget in a hurry.
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