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jinxlerai's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Violence, Car accident, and Alcohol
poppysmic's review
3.0
This novel tells the story of a group of boys/young men in Leipzig in the 80s and 90s, specifically through Daniel, an unreliable narrator reflecting on his experiences of violence, drinking/drugs, the Pioneers, football—amongst many others. Toxic masculinity, specifically extreme violence amidst the breakdown of a system they’ve always known and the ensuing rise of the far-right, runs throughout.
We know from the beginning that a bleak end awaits many, if not all of Daniel’s friends, though the narrative jumps around a decade, some parts being more chaotic/gripping than others. Subsequently, this made for a reading experience that slogged at times, especially towards the end. But as a reflection of a destructive experience at the end of rhetoric GDR, this was a very powerful book.
We know from the beginning that a bleak end awaits many, if not all of Daniel’s friends, though the narrative jumps around a decade, some parts being more chaotic/gripping than others. Subsequently, this made for a reading experience that slogged at times, especially towards the end. But as a reflection of a destructive experience at the end of rhetoric GDR, this was a very powerful book.
jennygoodier's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This is a really beautiful and poignant book. It shows what was left behind in east Germany after die Wendung in ways that outsiders might not realise. There's such a sense of depravity and feelings of being lost but yet the focus is really on the love and loyalty these 'brothers' have for one another. It's really something beautiful how much they care for each other. The unreliable narrator Daniel in particular shines through as someone who maybe thinks better of some of his actions but nevertheless jumps to support his brothers at every turn. It really is a powerful read. I especially love the style. The unreliable recall of memory is so genuine and it makes the story resonate even more.
"Sometimes I remember it that way and sometimes it's different, and in some dreams the cops come the first night, every first night, and sometimes I dream they were never there..."
"I knew what it meant, going to the west, lots of people were going to the West, and there were a few empty seats in our classroom already. Leaving. Never coming back."
"They always knew everything and I couldn't understand it."
"I always took tissues out with me when I was with Rico, 'cause sometimes there'd be blood."
"Sometimes I remember it that way and sometimes it's different, and in some dreams the cops come the first night, every first night, and sometimes I dream they were never there..."
"I knew what it meant, going to the west, lots of people were going to the West, and there were a few empty seats in our classroom already. Leaving. Never coming back."
"They always knew everything and I couldn't understand it."
"I always took tissues out with me when I was with Rico, 'cause sometimes there'd be blood."
thebobsphere's review
1.0
It’s inevitable that when reading a shortlist, one cannot like every book. Well here’s my stinker.
While we were Dreaming is every type of awful one can imagine: Dialogue, plot, characters – EVERYTHING. I will say it right now
I HATED this book
I will say it again
I HATED this book.
The novel focuses on group of teenagers during the fall of the Berlin Wall – we also get glimpses of their childhood pre unification. This post life consists of:
Looking at porn mags
Talking about breasts – ON NEARLY EVERY SINGLE PAGE
Stealing from old people
and a countless number of fistfights and drug scoring
repeat cycle for 600 pages. Plus it’s all in Kerouacian slang ARGH
I understand that Meyer is portraying a type of mentality and social situation caused by so called freedom but to read the same thing over and over and over again is mind numbingly boring plus the constant sexism got to me. Yes you like boobs and looking up skirts. Fine but do we have to talk about it all the time.
However there is one semi redeeming factor and that’s the chapter about one character trying to use a microwave but even that is spoiled because all the narrator cares about is the porn mag his friend’s dad smuggles and the whole talk descends to mammary gland discourses!!
If this is a portrait of post wall society, then Berlin must have made Caligula’s Rome seem like some kind of saint’s palace.
Never has a book managed to make me so angry, bored and irritated at the same time.
I will repeat a third time.
I HATE this book.
While we were Dreaming is every type of awful one can imagine: Dialogue, plot, characters – EVERYTHING. I will say it right now
I HATED this book
I will say it again
I HATED this book.
The novel focuses on group of teenagers during the fall of the Berlin Wall – we also get glimpses of their childhood pre unification. This post life consists of:
Looking at porn mags
Talking about breasts – ON NEARLY EVERY SINGLE PAGE
Stealing from old people
and a countless number of fistfights and drug scoring
repeat cycle for 600 pages. Plus it’s all in Kerouacian slang ARGH
I understand that Meyer is portraying a type of mentality and social situation caused by so called freedom but to read the same thing over and over and over again is mind numbingly boring plus the constant sexism got to me. Yes you like boobs and looking up skirts. Fine but do we have to talk about it all the time.
However there is one semi redeeming factor and that’s the chapter about one character trying to use a microwave but even that is spoiled because all the narrator cares about is the porn mag his friend’s dad smuggles and the whole talk descends to mammary gland discourses!!
If this is a portrait of post wall society, then Berlin must have made Caligula’s Rome seem like some kind of saint’s palace.
Never has a book managed to make me so angry, bored and irritated at the same time.
I will repeat a third time.
I HATE this book.
gracecashxx's review
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-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
eleanorbean's review
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
heyfarahey's review
adventurous
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nooriehussain's review
i found this book incredibly slow, and honestly too convoluted at parts. i had high hopes for this book, and was excited to read it, yet found myself quite disappointed and let down by the pace and lack of character connection.
lizziebennett's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
e_f_p21's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75