budiboksnama's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
klamstrakvr's review against another edition
2.0
I will go absolutely unhinged if I read one more pre-WW2 book about an insufferable, weak-minded, backbone-lacking, self-righteous man that wouldn’t survive 30 seconds of a Twitter argument and a hysterical woman. Spending a couple of hours with the thoughts of this excuse of a man, described in an unnecessarily pompous and wordy way, was an absolute torture. I finished it out of pure spite and will recommend this book to anyone wondering why I refuse to read most classics.
naiapard's review
This was a very well spent read. I have to admit that lately it got more and more difficult to finish a book, however this one was a welcomed exception.
It has a quick pace. It has an organic plot, that integrates the very few characters that it condones.
Moreover, this edition of mine, has a beautiful translation for which I am very grateful as it gave savor to the entire reading experience.
What are you going to find here is a Freudian experiment unfolding between the pages of Zweig`s only novel.
However, it does not taste like a theoretical novel even if it has at its foundation,a theory.
It will be a good read. promise
It has a quick pace. It has an organic plot, that integrates the very few characters that it condones.
Moreover, this edition of mine, has a beautiful translation for which I am very grateful as it gave savor to the entire reading experience.
What are you going to find here is a Freudian experiment unfolding between the pages of Zweig`s only novel.
However, it does not taste like a theoretical novel even if it has at its foundation,a theory.
It will be a good read. promise
timplevoets's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kiriamarin's review
5.0
Este livro é um conta gotas de emoções e sentimentos irremediável que não se pode escapar. As narrativas de Zweig pode não ter a complexidade de um Dostoievsky e por isso mesmo ser subestimado,porém consegue sempre entregar e ressoar no leitor os mais primitivos medos da mente e alma humana, com algumas teorias psiconaliticas de Freud.
Algo aparentemente simples, que se torna um dilema ,uma bola de neve ,da qual o desfecho é uma tragédia, previsível, embora não perca seu impacto.
A compaixão, pena é uma faca de dois gumes e mais uma vez fica transparente no personagem Toni Hoffmillee como a verdade cruel é que nos humanos temos o coração egoísta e vaidoso, prisioneiros na nossa consciência e culpa.
Algo aparentemente simples, que se torna um dilema ,uma bola de neve ,da qual o desfecho é uma tragédia, previsível, embora não perca seu impacto.
A compaixão, pena é uma faca de dois gumes e mais uma vez fica transparente no personagem Toni Hoffmillee como a verdade cruel é que nos humanos temos o coração egoísta e vaidoso, prisioneiros na nossa consciência e culpa.
cgpc's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
alexsiddall's review against another edition
3.0
A very interesting book, not least because of the difference in social attitudes between the two thens (1914 when the action takes place, and the 1930s when it was written) and now. Insightful into human nature, vacillation, weakness; a well-told story.
eb__'s review against another edition
4.0
read the book and then read the translators notes (different to ones listed here) where it mentions that Zweig was friends/acquainted with Freud and ok yeah that makes a lot of sense.
but loved the way it was written and the characters. enjoyed the revelation of Kekesfalva’s back story. enjoyed the first half more than the second and found myself getting a bit confused toward the end but overall loved it. tragic and gripping.
few comments here and there remind you it was written in 1939 but it made the history of the book and of the context of the book itself better.
but loved the way it was written and the characters. enjoyed the revelation of Kekesfalva’s back story. enjoyed the first half more than the second and found myself getting a bit confused toward the end but overall loved it. tragic and gripping.
few comments here and there remind you it was written in 1939 but it made the history of the book and of the context of the book itself better.
akbhatia's review
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Oh, this book. You just KNOW that you’re teetering on the edge of Greek tragedy, waiting for the hammer of fate. V engrossing rollercoaster ride. Approach with caution :)
jwh_awe's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
5.0