saphieg's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
geoffry's review against another edition
3.0
Een verzameling kortverhalen die probeert te omvatten wat het is om een man te zijn in het moderne Europa, door de ogen van 17-jarige backpackers, gepensioneerde politici en zowat alles daartussenin. Szalay levert een grimmig portret af van negen mannen die worstelen met hun zelfbeeld, wegvluchten van alle verantwoordelijkheden en/of twijfelen of het nog de moeite loont om verder te leven. Om zelf neerslachtig van te worden gedurende 400+ pagina's, maar Szalay weet godzijdank zo goed de atmosfeer van iedere Europese locatie te scheppen dat je bijna het zand in Malta tussen je tenen voelt of de zuivere Franse alpenlucht kunt inademen.
En ja, het is ook wel tof om plots 'welkom in West-Vlaanderen' in een Engels boek te lezen.
En ja, het is ook wel tof om plots 'welkom in West-Vlaanderen' in een Engels boek te lezen.
bub_9's review against another edition
4.0
This actually reads a bit more like a short story collection than a novel. But unlike some of the short story collections I have read, the thematic connections are so obvious that makes for a coherent, enjoyable reading experience. There are also one or two explicit links dropped in - fun to discover.
Each story traces some male character, typically traveling somewhere in Europe, and the stories trace a range of ages as well. I would disagree with an assumption that the title sets out the author's ambition to encompass the entirety of modern masculinity (or at least would hope that this was not the author's intent); rather, there are several allusions in the stories made to the idea that it's more a question - All That Man Is? I think my meaning will be clear if you read the book!
Anyway, the thing is the writing, and the writing is splendid. Each character is delicately constructed and distinctive, and we follow their journeys with intrigue and relish. A fun read for anyone perhaps feeling a little wanderlust.
Each story traces some male character, typically traveling somewhere in Europe, and the stories trace a range of ages as well. I would disagree with an assumption that the title sets out the author's ambition to encompass the entirety of modern masculinity (or at least would hope that this was not the author's intent); rather, there are several allusions in the stories made to the idea that it's more a question - All That Man Is? I think my meaning will be clear if you read the book!
Anyway, the thing is the writing, and the writing is splendid. Each character is delicately constructed and distinctive, and we follow their journeys with intrigue and relish. A fun read for anyone perhaps feeling a little wanderlust.
nellusso's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Covering glimpses into fictional men from deadbeat teens to oligarchs along the course of aging. Doesn’t try to hide pettiness, avarice, pride, fecklessness, and utter meanness through the stories of their inability to meet the challenges thrown at them.
tonimeter's review against another edition
5.0
Szalay’s writing is very impressive, and unique. Each one of these nine stories have dark, and melancholic undertone which I liked a lot. Nine men all around the world in the search of meaning of life, and existence.
aumi7055's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
thomasgoddard's review against another edition
4.0
This writer is one of the best writers of fiction alive today. Particularly when it comes to writing men.
I know it's a bit of a raw nerve these days: masculinity. But I find the subject to be deeply fascinating. It's an insight into a world I know very little about. I think very few people would identify me as a particularly masculine being. But there are books that exemplify femininity and there are books that ring out with the masculine. And I revel in them equally.
This spectacular book is 441 pages in 9 parts. Each tells a story of a man at some sort of turning point in his life. My particular favourites were the stories of Simon in part one, Bernard in part two and Aleksandr in part 8. They're dense enough to be novels all their own. They dovetail neatly together. A few little references to characters in other stories knit it together lightly, but not in an overt way.
The characters are ugly, flawed, dishonest, liars... But all those things are their flaws. And they're shown to be flaws, rather than key aspects of their personality. The flaws they have are merely the mistakes they repeatedly make trying to deal with the chaos of their own lives.
They're ill-equipped for dealing with the world they find themselves in. Even the rich Russian guy just fell into his wealth, a lucky guy. Definitely a smart one.
But Szalay presents us with people who are just like the rest of us these days. Anxious, scared of failing, zero willpower, dreamers without conviction.
And the way it's written is stylistically masculine too. You get sketches of people. A brief description of place, person and perspective. Then it's on with the story. Everything is pared back. There's not a lot of colour or detail. It won't be to everyone's taste, but I appreciated it.
This novel is one of those crossroad texts. You read it and you are left with a question: Is this all that man is? It's up to you to decide really. And I think whatever your answer is, you'll be proven right. The world is as we see it.
I know it's a bit of a raw nerve these days: masculinity. But I find the subject to be deeply fascinating. It's an insight into a world I know very little about. I think very few people would identify me as a particularly masculine being. But there are books that exemplify femininity and there are books that ring out with the masculine. And I revel in them equally.
This spectacular book is 441 pages in 9 parts. Each tells a story of a man at some sort of turning point in his life. My particular favourites were the stories of Simon in part one, Bernard in part two and Aleksandr in part 8. They're dense enough to be novels all their own. They dovetail neatly together. A few little references to characters in other stories knit it together lightly, but not in an overt way.
The characters are ugly, flawed, dishonest, liars... But all those things are their flaws. And they're shown to be flaws, rather than key aspects of their personality. The flaws they have are merely the mistakes they repeatedly make trying to deal with the chaos of their own lives.
They're ill-equipped for dealing with the world they find themselves in. Even the rich Russian guy just fell into his wealth, a lucky guy. Definitely a smart one.
But Szalay presents us with people who are just like the rest of us these days. Anxious, scared of failing, zero willpower, dreamers without conviction.
And the way it's written is stylistically masculine too. You get sketches of people. A brief description of place, person and perspective. Then it's on with the story. Everything is pared back. There's not a lot of colour or detail. It won't be to everyone's taste, but I appreciated it.
This novel is one of those crossroad texts. You read it and you are left with a question: Is this all that man is? It's up to you to decide really. And I think whatever your answer is, you'll be proven right. The world is as we see it.
ellsoquent's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
curthull's review against another edition
4.0
All of the characters in each of these nine short stories feel like someone I have known or might have known or who I may have been. It’s a shame somewhat that these are short stories and not novels; the characters are drawn so well, there must be more to know about them.
But there is also a pervasive melancholy. Each main character is flawed or incomplete or has failed - not in how they are drawn by the author, but in their lives. It makes me glad to have only known them for a little while and then let them go on without me. But I am glad for the reflections and insights they have shared and have left me with.
I think I will now seek out a full novel by this author.
But there is also a pervasive melancholy. Each main character is flawed or incomplete or has failed - not in how they are drawn by the author, but in their lives. It makes me glad to have only known them for a little while and then let them go on without me. But I am glad for the reflections and insights they have shared and have left me with.
I think I will now seek out a full novel by this author.
mistercrow's review against another edition
3.0
DNF: am swamped with many projects this year and I just do not have the time to dwell on books I cannot get into. This was one of those books. Not my cuppa.