misscassylee's review against another edition
The narrator is awful. Going to have to read this one.
judehelens's review against another edition
4.0
fate is a circle until everything spirals out of control, a little bit like the plot, which frays at the end. but it’s not about the ending, anyway.
earth2sammi's review against another edition
4.0
Good fucking lord. Jesus christ. Why is the word abject so romantic. What the fuck did i just read.
iamalexheart's review against another edition
2.0
Ammetto che leggendo la trama non lo avrei comprato ma dopo aver letto la lettera dell’autrice ero pronto a tuffarmi in una lettura da 5 stelle. Non mi sarei mai aspettato una tale delusione. Le prime 30/40 pagine scorrono e sono coinvolgenti. Poco dopo però la storia diventa pesante, non per gli argomenti trattati ma per la mancanza di molti fattori essenziali senza i quali la lettura diventa un grande, enorme “boh”. La caratterizzazione dei personaggi è quasi nulla tant’è che molto di loro non sono altro che nomi, i termini russi (che sono tanti) vengono capiti solo dai russi. In fondo alla pagina delle piccole note avrebbero aiutato moltissimo. Ci sono tanti punti interrogativi che rimangono tali fino alla fine e avrei abbandonato il libro 100 volte se non lo avessi letto assieme ad un amico. Purtroppo non mi sento di consigliarlo, non si capisce granché a meno che non abbiate già una cultura sulle fiabe e sulla storia della Russia. A pochi giorni dalla lettura ho già dimenticato la maggior parte del libro.
loyaultemelie's review against another edition
5.0
Originally I rated this four stars, but after about nine months I'm very comfortable bumping this up to five stars.
Deathless is a book that sticks with you. Though I originally wasn't blown away right upon finishing it - perhaps because I didn't find it as romantic as I was led to believe it was - it stuck with me, and continues to do so. I would wake up thinking about a passage of Deathless. I would be struck with a character or a plot beat at random moments. It made me think and rethink, which is one of the best things a book can do for you.
I wouldn't call Deathless a romance, though it is a love story. I consider it more a brutal coming of age story, for Maria, for Koschei, for Russia herself. It's a beautiful novel, and I truly recommend everyone read it.
Tentative 4 stars while I parse my thoughts
Deathless is a book that sticks with you. Though I originally wasn't blown away right upon finishing it - perhaps because I didn't find it as romantic as I was led to believe it was - it stuck with me, and continues to do so. I would wake up thinking about a passage of Deathless. I would be struck with a character or a plot beat at random moments. It made me think and rethink, which is one of the best things a book can do for you.
I wouldn't call Deathless a romance, though it is a love story. I consider it more a brutal coming of age story, for Maria, for Koschei, for Russia herself. It's a beautiful novel, and I truly recommend everyone read it.
Tentative 4 stars while I parse my thoughts
caliesha's review against another edition
5.0
The only thing not rationed in Leningrad is death.
Fell in love with Catherynne's writing as a kid reading her Fairyland books. Happy to report I am most definitely still a huge fan. I cannot fathom being able to write this magically. 5 stars :)
Fell in love with Catherynne's writing as a kid reading her Fairyland books. Happy to report I am most definitely still a huge fan. I cannot fathom being able to write this magically. 5 stars :)
johndoe15's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
moirwyn's review against another edition
5.0
For a full review, see here:
http://bookswithoutanypictures.wordpress.com/2012/07/09/deathless-by-catherynne-m-valente/
There are not even words to describe how amazing this book is. It makes everything else look pale and watery by comparison. The writing is spectacular, the history and folklore spot on. Read it, now!
http://bookswithoutanypictures.wordpress.com/2012/07/09/deathless-by-catherynne-m-valente/
There are not even words to describe how amazing this book is. It makes everything else look pale and watery by comparison. The writing is spectacular, the history and folklore spot on. Read it, now!