levitatingnumeral's review against another edition
4.0
Imagine a book that can combine twisted, morbid stories with a very light writing style. That's Missing Kissinger. It's a collection of short stories that are incredibly easy and fast to read, but whose plot revolves around death, abuse or something disgusting .
Overall, it's a pleasant read, yet I couldn't help but notice one thing: it's a book written by a man for men. I don't know if it's intentional or not, but it does dwell on a masculine (micro?)cosm, it's made for men to empathise with, and that sometimes caused me to feel distant from the stories being told.
Spoiler
(like giant cockroaches)Overall, it's a pleasant read, yet I couldn't help but notice one thing: it's a book written by a man for men. I don't know if it's intentional or not, but it does dwell on a masculine (micro?)cosm, it's made for men to empathise with, and that sometimes caused me to feel distant from the stories being told.
vonnegutian's review
4.0
Etgar Keret - what a name! I’m not even sure how you pronounce it but you should remember it because this here is a very talented man. I’m not really a short story person but I do tend to read a few collections a year.
This wasn’t the first of Keret’s books I bought (that was Kneller’s Happy Campers) but it is the first I’ve read and I’m 99% sure he’s my favourite short story writer. Think George Saunders’ The Brief and Frightening Reign of Phil/ Persuasion Nation meets Shaun Tan meets Kurt Vonnegut... maybe. I’m not sure, it’s been a while since I finished it and the memories aren’t as fresh but the one thing I do know is that this guy can write. His short stories do everything I could ask a short story to do: quickly involving me in characters’ plights, make me think ‘that’s a cool situation to write a story about’ and surprise me with a twist. There are of course other things but these particularly strike me as being hugely important in stories that have so little time to root. The other problem with short stories are the duds, but this was another thing that struck me reading Missing Kissinger: there are very few, if any, duds. I predict he will be little known but I urge you to give him a try as his short, leftfield, witty offerings are nothing short of brilliant.
This wasn’t the first of Keret’s books I bought (that was Kneller’s Happy Campers) but it is the first I’ve read and I’m 99% sure he’s my favourite short story writer. Think George Saunders’ The Brief and Frightening Reign of Phil/ Persuasion Nation meets Shaun Tan meets Kurt Vonnegut... maybe. I’m not sure, it’s been a while since I finished it and the memories aren’t as fresh but the one thing I do know is that this guy can write. His short stories do everything I could ask a short story to do: quickly involving me in characters’ plights, make me think ‘that’s a cool situation to write a story about’ and surprise me with a twist. There are of course other things but these particularly strike me as being hugely important in stories that have so little time to root. The other problem with short stories are the duds, but this was another thing that struck me reading Missing Kissinger: there are very few, if any, duds. I predict he will be little known but I urge you to give him a try as his short, leftfield, witty offerings are nothing short of brilliant.
avitalgadcykman's review
4.0
Etgar Keret is sharp and surprising. He concentrates a lot in very short stories that can make twists inside your head. I should read more by him, however, because this book, in spite of being brilliant, made me think about good copy writers and what are their work requirements. I'll be looking for Keret's soul.
tosferina's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
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