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mchku's review
challenging
dark
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
dasbaum's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
cutterina_the_triceratops's review
challenging
sad
fast-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? Yes
3.25
zurpel's review against another edition
4.0
Michael Kohlhaas is a classic in German literature. I found the book by accident and really enjoyed it.
Michael Kohlhaas tells the story of a horse-dealer of the same name, who encounters injustice by the rulers of his country and is determined to fight for his rights and obtain justice. When his law-suit fails to achieve the desired results he is even prepared to take up arms against. This story is based on real events that happened in Brandenburg and Saxony (both Germany) during the mid-16th century.
I could probably relate to the story all the more because I study law, so the legal problems that make up a large part of the story interest me on a professional basis as well. But I found it even more intriguing for the moral aspects it presents and the questions it raises. Where does one’s right to fight for justice end? While this is set in a time and society quite different from the present, I found that the questions and values presented in this book have not become outdated.
This is really a recommended read for everyone. And while I’m at it I have to praise the LibriVox narration once again. I listened to the German LibriVox solo narration, which was really good. I’ve also noticed that LibriVox also has an English narration of the book, but haven’t listened to that, so I can’t say anything about the quality of that version.
Michael Kohlhaas tells the story of a horse-dealer of the same name, who encounters injustice by the rulers of his country and is determined to fight for his rights and obtain justice. When his law-suit fails to achieve the desired results he is even prepared to take up arms against. This story is based on real events that happened in Brandenburg and Saxony (both Germany) during the mid-16th century.
I could probably relate to the story all the more because I study law, so the legal problems that make up a large part of the story interest me on a professional basis as well. But I found it even more intriguing for the moral aspects it presents and the questions it raises. Where does one’s right to fight for justice end? While this is set in a time and society quite different from the present, I found that the questions and values presented in this book have not become outdated.
This is really a recommended read for everyone. And while I’m at it I have to praise the LibriVox narration once again. I listened to the German LibriVox solo narration, which was really good. I’ve also noticed that LibriVox also has an English narration of the book, but haven’t listened to that, so I can’t say anything about the quality of that version.
flokushima's review against another edition
5.0
michael kohlhaas ist quasi john wick nur halt mit ein bisschen größerem vokabular und mein neues lieblingswort ist "hülfe".
helbest_coskun's review
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
tani's review against another edition
2.0
Would it be too contradictory to say that it was an interesting story and that it bored me out of my mind? Maybe I'd better say that the writing style didn't agree with me. I found it difficult to follow what was happening, especially because so many people were referred to by nothing other than a title, which made it pretty much impossible for me to keep things straight. I did feel sorry for the main character, and I do think that it's a good illustration of just how far law can be manipulated to get the desired results, but I was still bored. Meh.
amy614's review
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
tnt307's review against another edition
2.0
Ich habe schon mehrere Werke von H. von Kleist gelesen, es ist schon längere Zeit her, aber Michael hat mir nicht besonders gefallen. Die Geschichte war zu lang, sehr verwirrend und außer den letzten drei Seiten auch nicht besonders spannend.
chiaramasciari's review against another edition
4.0
Ero indecisa se dare tre o quattro stelle, ma sul finale il libro si riprende decisamente e merita la votazione in più. Avendo avuto occasione di leggere più di un'opera di Kleist ho capito che tutte le sue produzioni differiscono l'una dall'altra in qualche modo, in positivo o in negativo. Paradossalmente, quest'opera raccoglie, sia nel bene che nel male, tutta la versatilità dell'autore. Perché? Questo romanzo è geniale, ha tutto: il realismo storico, il dramma psicologico, il trasporto emotivo, addirittura alla fine si aggiungono anche un paio di elementi soprannaturali. Per farla breve, questo romanzo è la cosa più kafkiana che Kleist potesse fare (e non mi stupisco infatti che a lui sia piaciuto moltissimo). Durante la lettura ti ritrovi ad odiare e ad amare Kohlhaas, perché effettivamente la causa che porta avanti è paradossale, e i metodi che usa sono estremi e poco raccomandabili, ma sotto sotto speri fino alla fine che riesca nel suo intento. L'unica pecca forse è lo stile di scrittura, il fatto che sia scritto tutto di fila e senza capitoli o divisioni lo rende un po' pesante, ma vabbè. Ma comunque, alla fine, questi cavalli dove finiscono? Giustizia per i cavalli xfav