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tcsellman's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
ftrebelo's review against another edition
4.0
A story about a school friendship between a Christian aristocrat and a Jewish son of a doctor on the brink of WWII. It's told in retrospective by the Jewish boy, with a slightly unexpected ending. In many ways, more than a story about 30s Germany, the novella is a reflection on what is friendship and what it means to be young (and somewhat oblivious) as the world changes around you. At one point, Konrandin (the Christian) tells his friend that he made him think and question and in consequence deepened and strengthened his faith- which is one of the hallmarks of a good friendship, that it helps you become more than you were alone.
big_dreamer's review against another edition
4.0
Un'amicizia nata per caso, tra due ragazzi tedeschi, uno rampollo di una delle più importanti famiglie dell'alta aristocrazia, l'altro figlio di un medico ebreo, nella Germania del 1933, viene messa alla prova dalla Storia, quella Storia che sconvolgerà l'Europa nel corso dei decenni successivi.
Hans racconta senza peli sulla lingua il suo rapporto con Konradin,
Mentre si leggono queste poche pagine, per la mente passano mille pensieri, mille sentimenti, mille idee, ma la frase finale è un pugno nello stomaco.
Hans racconta senza peli sulla lingua il suo rapporto con Konradin,
Spoiler
persino l'indifferenza e l'odio che prova verso di lui quando scopre che, in un certo senso,ammira Hitler. Anni dopo, quell'amico che sembrava perso per sempre, ritorna prepotentemente nella vita di Hans (nel frattempo emigrato negli Stati Uniti e divenuto avvocato) attraverso un opuscolo di una raccolta fondi per ricostruire la sua vecchia scuola, andata distrutta durante la guerra, in cui sono elencati i nomi degli alunni caduti in combattimento: "VON HOHENFELS, Konradin, implicato nel complotto per uccidere Hitler. GiustiziatoMentre si leggono queste poche pagine, per la mente passano mille pensieri, mille sentimenti, mille idee, ma la frase finale è un pugno nello stomaco.
hanie_hadadnia's review against another edition
5.0
میتونم بگم این کتاب به یکی از بهترین کتابهایی که خوندم تبدیل شد.
جوری که آخرش به گریه افتادم
جوری که آخرش به گریه افتادم
cmarley's review against another edition
5.0
Some of the most powerful opening and closing sentences I have read i think. I've never been particularly fond of short stories however despite its simplicity this one managed to convey more emotion than some full length novels I have read. Would definitely recommend.
stephen_baird's review against another edition
4.0
For such a small book it packs a large punch.
I only discovered this novella recently when I saw someone reading it on a train and the cover intrigued me enough that I searched it out.
Set in 30s Germany with the rise of Nazism as the background, two boys who were both outsiders start a friendship that has difficulties even outside the scope of the historical backdrop.
Hans is Jewish and the son of a doctor, very middle class. Konradin is a member of the von Hohenfels family, aristocrats.
The tension builds throughout the book, showing so many similarities between the boys, but at times throwing the class hierarchies into stark relief. There are several excellent scenes where this is shown, one is Hans’ fathers reaction to first meeting Konradin, he becomes very rigid and formal and relies on his military service to give him status with the young aristocrat.
The real world eventually comes to a head and Hans has to leave Germany. I won’t give away the ending which was surprising.
A beautifully written relationship, consumed the whole thing in one sitting
I only discovered this novella recently when I saw someone reading it on a train and the cover intrigued me enough that I searched it out.
Set in 30s Germany with the rise of Nazism as the background, two boys who were both outsiders start a friendship that has difficulties even outside the scope of the historical backdrop.
Hans is Jewish and the son of a doctor, very middle class. Konradin is a member of the von Hohenfels family, aristocrats.
The tension builds throughout the book, showing so many similarities between the boys, but at times throwing the class hierarchies into stark relief. There are several excellent scenes where this is shown, one is Hans’ fathers reaction to first meeting Konradin, he becomes very rigid and formal and relies on his military service to give him status with the young aristocrat.
The real world eventually comes to a head and Hans has to leave Germany. I won’t give away the ending which was surprising.
A beautifully written relationship, consumed the whole thing in one sitting