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ljms's review
Really good. Love Kharms’ worldview. Insomnia, getting lost, dropping dead, spheres (?), abandoning the entire story. “What big cucumbers they sell in stores nowadays!”
sarahforster's review
3.0
I read this collection while studying avant-garde theatre at uni and loved the work. It was fun to revisit Daniil Kharms and would recommend to anyone who likes bizarre and random short stories.
danielk93's review
challenging
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
dkai's review
5.0
I can only imagine how much I'd like this if I could read Russian; the translation does an excellent job, though. There is a concise introduction framing the historical context of Kharms and analysis of Kharms before you are launched into the writings. Four sections: Events, The Old Woman, The Blue Notebook, and Other Writings. Everything but a chunk of the early Other Writings kept me totally engaged (keep in mind that I love absurdist-esque things).
It's easy to grasp the most famous Kharms style in Events; micro "stories" that follow events happening to assorted people (most often commoners or famous Russians, e.g. Ivanovitch, Gogol, Pushkin). While it is not quite totally absurdist (usually) or magical realism, strange things inevitably occur. There is just enough reality and just enough strangeness so that attention is focused on what appears to be a clear narrative, even though it is obviously not so at all upon reaching the end. Some may be frustrated by the lack of a "point" to the stories. I wouldn't say that there is no point, nor would I say there is a point, and it's this paradox that Kharms expertly dances on in his writing.
Other writings have more variety. There are still the abundant Events-style stories, but also some poetry and other forms in there. Sometimes funny, sometimes wtf, and even moving on occasion, Kharms clearly did not limit himself to one style. It's odd how some of the seemingly normal poetry fits in so comfortably next to the micro stories; perhaps Kharms achieved a level of abstraction through his use of strangeness that normal stories don't attain.
It's easy to grasp the most famous Kharms style in Events; micro "stories" that follow events happening to assorted people (most often commoners or famous Russians, e.g. Ivanovitch, Gogol, Pushkin). While it is not quite totally absurdist (usually) or magical realism, strange things inevitably occur. There is just enough reality and just enough strangeness so that attention is focused on what appears to be a clear narrative, even though it is obviously not so at all upon reaching the end. Some may be frustrated by the lack of a "point" to the stories. I wouldn't say that there is no point, nor would I say there is a point, and it's this paradox that Kharms expertly dances on in his writing.
Other writings have more variety. There are still the abundant Events-style stories, but also some poetry and other forms in there. Sometimes funny, sometimes wtf, and even moving on occasion, Kharms clearly did not limit himself to one style. It's odd how some of the seemingly normal poetry fits in so comfortably next to the micro stories; perhaps Kharms achieved a level of abstraction through his use of strangeness that normal stories don't attain.
breadandmushrooms's review
challenging
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
ohainesva's review
3.0
Gets kinda boring reading it all back to back, but some good goofy moments in there.
noleek's review against another edition
4.0
The best parts are the stories. So strange and marvelous.
I dislike the vast majority of his poems. They were redundant and lacked what makes Kharms great. It did not ruin the adventure. Not by a long shot.
I dislike the vast majority of his poems. They were redundant and lacked what makes Kharms great. It did not ruin the adventure. Not by a long shot.