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kirstiecat's review against another edition
4.0
It's really been too long since I've read this one...it's complicated, rich in terms of texture, and it's ideas in terms of the exploration of relationships, even feminism, are the most forefront in my mind as I recall it. However, it's a complex book deserving of more of a description and I have read too many books inbetween then and now to not get some details mixed up.
taylorelm's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A journey through major historical events of the turn of the last century, set as the background to one man’s journey through lovers across Europe. I’m not sure I fully understand all of this book, but it was a poetic tale of how one person can both impact and be impacted by major events. Even when not trying to be a part of history, by being present you are necessarily part of it anyway.
omw's review against another edition
just got distracted by other berger / hated reading it digitally. will certainly come back.
justinm's review against another edition
2.0
This book begins with a short history of his parents affair and her eventual pregnancy with a character who is only ever referred to as 'the boy' or, when he grows up, 'G.'. His childhood is spent living with his mother at a farm with his mother's siblings. When the boy grows up he becomes a Casanova-like character and extramarital affairs abound. This all occurs with the backdrop of England and Italy towardsthe end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth.
After the first hundred or so pages I was giving this book the benefit of the doubt, thinking maybe all of the backstory would lead up to something more interesting. When I saw that wasn't going to happen I quickly lost what little interest I had. I did not care for the protagonist G., nor most of the other characters. This book is listed as philosophical and experimental, and I understand that it would have probably been more bold and controversial when it was released in 1972. However, it doesn't seem like it has aged well. Even a Booker prize couldn't save it from being forgotten. I advise not even trying to remember.
After the first hundred or so pages I was giving this book the benefit of the doubt, thinking maybe all of the backstory would lead up to something more interesting. When I saw that wasn't going to happen I quickly lost what little interest I had. I did not care for the protagonist G., nor most of the other characters. This book is listed as philosophical and experimental, and I understand that it would have probably been more bold and controversial when it was released in 1972. However, it doesn't seem like it has aged well. Even a Booker prize couldn't save it from being forgotten. I advise not even trying to remember.
ehersheyiv's review against another edition
4.0
A difficult favorite since high school. I haven't re-read this in a while but I love it.
bookwormellie's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
charlotte_rose's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Took me a long time to get into
ciiku's review against another edition
2.0
Wow. This book. First of all, he wrote the women characters terribly. Second I wasn't feeling the writing style, moving from first to third narrative. The first third of the book is better than the remaining two thirds.
Also G isn't a likeable character.
Also G isn't a likeable character.