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A review by s_books
Strange Life of Ivan Osokin by P.D. Ouspensky
3.25
Strange life indeed! It is a bit frustrating that the title character is allowed to become his younger self, he remembers how things will go, and then he still does the same stupid things (although it is a little unclear if he is fully remembering before he does them or if the full
memory only comes once he’s already done the actual action). There are some profound statements in this book but they are surround by this story of a somewhat infuriating young man. And then the revelation at the end by the magician which is left unresolved; that is also frustrating, I would have liked to know if that is really the case and what would happen afterwards. While reading this, I found myself thinking of The Tatami Galaxy, with the magician at times being the old woman fortune teller and at times (particularly the last part) being Ozu — I don’t know if that author had read this book but it’s an interesting take on the same subject (that no matter what, things would always have ended up as they are, even if you could go back and do things over again). I’m undecided whether or not to attempt a re-read of this at some later time.
memory only comes once he’s already done the actual action). There are some profound statements in this book but they are surround by this story of a somewhat infuriating young man. And then the revelation at the end by the magician which is left unresolved; that is also frustrating, I would have liked to know if that is really the case and what would happen afterwards. While reading this, I found myself thinking of The Tatami Galaxy, with the magician at times being the old woman fortune teller and at times (particularly the last part) being Ozu — I don’t know if that author had read this book but it’s an interesting take on the same subject (that no matter what, things would always have ended up as they are, even if you could go back and do things over again). I’m undecided whether or not to attempt a re-read of this at some later time.