Reviews

I tried to read this about two years ago and never got much further than the first chapter. However, I decided to pick this up recently and really enjoyed this book. It's funny and savage, a Rabelaisian black comedy. The use of language is interesting and quirky (in a good way) and there are many memorable descriptions, characters and metaphors in Under the Frog which not all are for the faint-hearted. I know next to nothing about Hungary or its history and the book is set in the time of the second world war and Hungary being firmly behind the Iron Curtain.

bjlinard's review against another edition

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dark funny medium-paced

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

3.5

maddycat8's review against another edition

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2.0

Review to come

marilynsaul's review against another edition

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3.0

I liked Fischer's style of writing, but I found, half way through the book, that I was bored. I suspect I'm not into young-men-coming-of-age stories. Anyway, I decided I was done with it and moved on.

graco's review against another edition

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2.5

I really wasn't feeling it at the beginning. The end section at the start of the Hungarian Uprising was the most engaging and things really started to pick up for me, but unfortunately it was too little too late. Also, learning that the author is an Orban appologist really soured the whole thing for me.

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