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A review by zhoujj
F by Daniel Kehlmann
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
4.5, but I'm feeling generous so I'll round up to a 5, and I think this book deserves more praise. I am shocked that the average rating for this book is on the lower side. A little more explanation on Arthur's novel My Name is No One and the hypnotist's backstory would have made it a solid 5 for me, but the ambiguity kind of added to my enjoyment of the book. Sometimes, not everything has to be explained.
The overall tone is existential, but it approaches the harder topics of morality, religion and artistic integrity in a lighthearted and humorous way. Is this what German humour is like? If so, I dig it. The book is mainly structured into 3 sections, one for each one of the brothers, who are vastly different but all problematic characters. Their individual lives converge towards the end.
The chapter that stood out for me was Family – it was a direct dive into Arthur's fictional novel of their ancestry. The tension at the end of the chapter on Ivan the painter was surprisingly reminiscent of Jon Fosse's prose, which I really enjoyed.
Kehlmann's writing is captivating, I was never bored at any moment. (Kudos to the translator as well!) His sentences are precise and punchy. I am very picky when it comes to finding writers who aren't overly descriptive when it comes to the setting. For some reason, one of my favourite lines was a simple one on the change of seasons – "The trees were already a riot of color, but the leaves had not yet started to fall." No unnecessary description on the red, the orange, and the yellows. I love it.
The overall tone is existential, but it approaches the harder topics of morality, religion and artistic integrity in a lighthearted and humorous way. Is this what German humour is like? If so, I dig it. The book is mainly structured into 3 sections, one for each one of the brothers, who are vastly different but all problematic characters. Their individual lives converge towards the end.
The chapter that stood out for me was Family – it was a direct dive into Arthur's fictional novel of their ancestry. The tension at the end of the chapter on Ivan the painter was surprisingly reminiscent of Jon Fosse's prose, which I really enjoyed.
Kehlmann's writing is captivating, I was never bored at any moment. (Kudos to the translator as well!) His sentences are precise and punchy. I am very picky when it comes to finding writers who aren't overly descriptive when it comes to the setting. For some reason, one of my favourite lines was a simple one on the change of seasons – "The trees were already a riot of color, but the leaves had not yet started to fall." No unnecessary description on the red, the orange, and the yellows. I love it.