Reviews

La Calera by Thomas Bernhard, Miguel Sáenz

jacobbou's review against another edition

dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

bryanmyoung's review against another edition

5.0

Absolutely brilliant. Reminder to the unmarried: if you're considering getting married, read this book.

hollyevaallen's review against another edition

3.0

This book. Where to begin. First I’ll say that when I think of literature as an art form, I find this book extremely effective. If you look at any form of art (including literature) as aiming to make you feel or experience something then this really does it. The story revolves around an obsessive man named Konrad who lives in an old mine and wants to write a volume on hearing/the human ear but he can never seem to start writing. The book opens with locals in the neighborhood tavern chatting about how Konrad murdered his disabled wife. It’s a striking opening and the entire novel the reader will follow the jumbled thoughts of multiple people, interlaced fluidly, to find a motive to the murder. The aimless and bizarre style of writing makes the reader feel as though they are going insane (as Konrad is) so as art I find this novel wonderful. However, as just a “novel” it is difficult to push through. The writing style is so odd it becomes cumbersome and the constant repetition of obsessive sentences makes the reader dizzy. However, if you love a challenge or are interested in stream of consciousness pieces, I would still recommend it.

andpasturesnew's review against another edition

wasnt feeling it—will return one day

kingkong's review against another edition

5.0

This book is basically like all his other books but the 'plot' is better

jonathangolding_books's review against another edition

challenging dark funny slow-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

4.0

jckl's review against another edition

4.0

One time I read this book before bed and was unable to fall asleep until 5 a.m.

A great source of second-hand anxiety for someone who always feels as if they must be doing something. A cautionary tale for the obsessed.

Great rhythm to the Konrads domestic doings too.

squirrelnutkun's review against another edition

challenging dark funny sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

dllman05's review against another edition

challenging dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.5

chiann's review against another edition

challenging dark 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

3.0