Reviews

De man die de taal van de slangen sprak by Andrus Kivirähk

captaindrown's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective medium-paced

• Loveable characters? No

3.5

annboooksss02's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective slow-paced

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

1.75

spoonofnutella_'s review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark informative mysterious sad medium-paced

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

2.0

This was one of the most unique books I've ever read. 

It has Grimm tales vibes with a dark whimsy feel. The fantasy elements get exceedingly more obscure, maybe too much at times. 

The part of the story I actually enjoy more in the story with the fantasy elements stripped away. This story is a critique of missonary work and the impact of a modernising society on the local rural inhabitants traditions and way of life.

jasroopy010's review against another edition

Fun

readby_ella's review against another edition

challenging dark sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

I loved this book when it started out - but it got so dark and graphic. I’m sad that this story turned from something so whimsical into such a dark and twisted tale filled with gore and hatred between people of different cultures and religious groups.

maimaimai's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated

4.0

jannne's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

perskaiciau's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.75

amysou0204's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I was surprised by how much I liked this book. It was nothing like what I usually read, as it was way more fantasy-based than my usual books, but it was really well written and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Although many aspects of the book involved fantasy aspects like talking to snakes, talking (and mating) with bears, and the Frog of the North, among other things, these subjects were approached and written about in such a way as to shed light on the nature of humanity and the shared lived experiences of it. It was very emotional at times, and portrayed very well the struggles one would go through if he should feel as alone as Leemet does, being the last man to speak Snakish, abandoned and/or having lost through tragedy all the other ones whom he had grown up with but, over the years, saw disappear.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder and Violence

Moderate: Sexual content

kay_reads9's review against another edition

dark sad tense 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Colonisation, Blood, Child death, Murder, Grief, Violence, Death, and Death of parent

Moderate: Fire/Fire injury