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cody240fc's review against another edition
3.0
In his introduction, the translator Sean Cotter goes out of his way to tell of the complication of capturing Caragiale's flowery language. And that is what stands out in this novel. I appreciated the historical references and the backstories of the four Rakes, but what Romanians appear to really love about the novel is its ability to encapsulate the spirit of 1920's Bucharest. As an ignorant American that evades me and therefore the significance of this book didn't register. It is a good story though, and I am glad that I read it. High three stars.
sriq's review against another edition
"A night toward winter, an air of tears."
"Under the high trees, at dusk, the unknown man took his melancholy for a walk."
"He could only converse about the card-playing he plied as a trade and the scabbado that had enervated him prematurely; these were the complete foundation of the spirit with which he enchanted those who prized his idiocy."
"Somewhat sunken beneath the arch of his eyebrows, a rare blue, their line of sight, unspeakably sweet and veiled in nostalgia, seemed to follow the recollection of a dream."
"Under the high trees, at dusk, the unknown man took his melancholy for a walk."
"He could only converse about the card-playing he plied as a trade and the scabbado that had enervated him prematurely; these were the complete foundation of the spirit with which he enchanted those who prized his idiocy."
"Somewhat sunken beneath the arch of his eyebrows, a rare blue, their line of sight, unspeakably sweet and veiled in nostalgia, seemed to follow the recollection of a dream."
joh17's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A difficult read, purposefully so. The translation purposefully uses archaic and unusual words to try and match the effect of the Romanian, as while I can’t comment on how well it works in that regard, it makes the book quite hard going and rather unnatural reading. However, the effect at times is quite compelling. Rather repulsive characters, the dissolution of a culture. Overly admiring of wealth and heritage. The more I think about it the more I think I enjoyed it!
archgayological's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
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