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kieranhealy's review against another edition
1.0
I had a much longer review in mind, but I'll keep it short. I apologize in advance. I know what it's like when someone trashes an author I love, and with all the love he gets... Here goes.
To me, this is the philosophy of willful misanthropy, and it is boring. I tried finding reviews and articles to explain to me why this is man important or relevant, because I feared I was missing something after so many glowing reviews. I wasn't. Most will tell you Bernhard is in the same league as (fill in the blank of 3 to 5 famous philosophers/writers) but will not adequately explain anything beyond that. Sure, you will get another more verbose, circular garbage. But nothing of real illumination. Essentially, if you've read a lot of books, consider yourself a put upon genius (whether you are or not), and do not want to like other people and their idiosyncrasies, then give it a go.
He's not a bad writer. But I can only take so much of an egotistical blowhard (either Bernhard or his characters, since they seem to pretty much be the same). I got the joke, I just didn't think it very funny or clever.
I'd give it 2 stars, but I couldn't even finish the book, even though I was close. First dud of the year.
To me, this is the philosophy of willful misanthropy, and it is boring. I tried finding reviews and articles to explain to me why this is man important or relevant, because I feared I was missing something after so many glowing reviews. I wasn't. Most will tell you Bernhard is in the same league as (fill in the blank of 3 to 5 famous philosophers/writers) but will not adequately explain anything beyond that. Sure, you will get another more verbose, circular garbage. But nothing of real illumination. Essentially, if you've read a lot of books, consider yourself a put upon genius (whether you are or not), and do not want to like other people and their idiosyncrasies, then give it a go.
He's not a bad writer. But I can only take so much of an egotistical blowhard (either Bernhard or his characters, since they seem to pretty much be the same). I got the joke, I just didn't think it very funny or clever.
I'd give it 2 stars, but I couldn't even finish the book, even though I was close. First dud of the year.
todays_thrill's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
nickdres's review against another edition
Mother, Three-ring binders, and photography bad. Gambetti and the Orangery good.
just_like_jason's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
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
3.5
"having imagined that a friend from long ago is still our friend, we discover in no time this was a cruel error... Suddenly you are just someone who annoys them"
maggie_994's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
juuhae's review against another edition
4.0
Ah come on, why can't I find a work of Thomas Bernhard that I want to give five stars? This one started out very strong, it's kind of like "Correction" regarding it's themes but better. At the beginning I was even surprised that Thomas Bernhard can produce such positive, light, almost romantic words. I mean yeah, there are still rants about everyone and everything, but they are more like edgy decorations on top, and don't permeate the story to it's core. But still, in later parts it began to drag, and I though it was just too long.
magnoliahysteria's review against another edition
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
5.0
tinygreensnake's review against another edition
Completely insufferable MC, cannot listen to him bitch about his mom and sisters a moment longer
jowixx's review against another edition
5.0
4,75
Nieustępliwa tyrada, wszechogarniające oskarżenie, mowa pogrzebowa albo pisanie jako akt grzebania, destrukcji.
Wciąga rytm, bezkompromisowy pęd pozbawiony akapitów, czyta się to na jednym oddechu, chce się wyczytać wszystko naraz. Wciąga bezruch monologującego, jego przenikliwość i tylko pozorna niewinność, jego nieoczywiste relacje ze światem, jego zjadliwość i zaskakująca autorefleksja.
Dawno nic mnie tak nie pochłonęło.
Nieustępliwa tyrada, wszechogarniające oskarżenie, mowa pogrzebowa albo pisanie jako akt grzebania, destrukcji.
Wciąga rytm, bezkompromisowy pęd pozbawiony akapitów, czyta się to na jednym oddechu, chce się wyczytać wszystko naraz. Wciąga bezruch monologującego, jego przenikliwość i tylko pozorna niewinność, jego nieoczywiste relacje ze światem, jego zjadliwość i zaskakująca autorefleksja.
Dawno nic mnie tak nie pochłonęło.
rachel_the_managing_editor's review against another edition
2.0
Okay, this is it. I’ve read three or for books by Thomas Bernhard now. Tried to get in the rhythm, to appreciate his singular style: the repetitions, the endless blocks of wall-to-wall text, the verbal tics, the smug observations. And I have come to a conclusion that I do not think will be changing anytime soon: Bernhard’s writing style really annoys me. I know a lot of you like him. Listen, I know. But there you have it. The verdict is in. I think maybe if his books were boiled down to a third of their length, maybe I would revise my opinion. As an editor, I equate reading his books with getting slapped in the face. Also, everything has annoyed me today, a cat bit me, and now I worry this might be the last book I finish if this all goes south. Gambetti, Spadolini, Murau: Don’t come to my funeral. Only the wine cork manufacturer is invited.