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wondarlice's review
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
lissan's review against another edition
4.0
Stefan Zweig (1881-1942) was an Austrian novelist, playwright, journalist and biographer. He was one of the most popular writers in the 1920s and 30s. He published his first book in 1900 and his last in 1942, the same year he committed suicide, together with his wife. They were then living in exile in Brazil. Amok came in 1922.
Amok, or running amok, is often used when describing something wildly out of control or causing a frenzy (Wikipedia). It is a good title for this book of five short stories. The stories tell of men and women who, when something specific happens, loose their bearing in life, that is, they run amok.
We meet a man obsessed by playing chess, almost like an addict. One day he finds himself on a cruise ship, where the world's best chess player, a very young man, has challenged some enthusiast. Winning over the young man, he withdraws and refuses a return match. He quietly tells his story to a fellow passenger.
“People and events don't disappoint us, our models of reality do. It is my model of reality that determines my happiness or disappointments.”
― Stefan Zweig, Chess Story
Twenty four hours of a woman's life, can be very dramatic. A small group of strangers are holidaying in a small pension in the Riviera. Among them is an older lady, very correct and comme-il-faut. But, behind her quiet and proper facade, a story of love and passion is hiding.
A student gets mesmerised by his professor. A professor who manages to inspire his class of literature students to unknown heights. But, he has a secret. He goes away from time to time and no-one knows where or what is his business. The revelation in the end is somewhat chocking for our student.
The amok runner is a doctor, practicing in the countryside in Indonesia. He lives a lonely existence and is waiting for his contract to end, so he can go back to Europe. One day a mysterious, European woman from the upper classes, enters his small practise. She only hints her business. He refuses her plead and she leaves. However, the doctor cannot get her out of his mind, and follows her to the city. Embarking on a crazy run for something he does not understand himself, he is running amok. It can only end in disaster.
All in all, Zweig's stories are beautifully written with lots of insight into the human psyche. He was a friend of Sigmund Freud, so might have been influenced by his research. His people are living on the edge, not being able to control their feelings. He shows how passions can take over your life, and not always in a good way. At the same time it can be a help and a way out of where we are. His writing, as John Banville puts it in an article (Ruined souls) in the Guardian: "Zweig's work is marked by a clear, fluent and expressive style, which translates easily and well, a paramount requirement for international success,...".
Amok, or running amok, is often used when describing something wildly out of control or causing a frenzy (Wikipedia). It is a good title for this book of five short stories. The stories tell of men and women who, when something specific happens, loose their bearing in life, that is, they run amok.
We meet a man obsessed by playing chess, almost like an addict. One day he finds himself on a cruise ship, where the world's best chess player, a very young man, has challenged some enthusiast. Winning over the young man, he withdraws and refuses a return match. He quietly tells his story to a fellow passenger.
“People and events don't disappoint us, our models of reality do. It is my model of reality that determines my happiness or disappointments.”
― Stefan Zweig, Chess Story
Twenty four hours of a woman's life, can be very dramatic. A small group of strangers are holidaying in a small pension in the Riviera. Among them is an older lady, very correct and comme-il-faut. But, behind her quiet and proper facade, a story of love and passion is hiding.
A student gets mesmerised by his professor. A professor who manages to inspire his class of literature students to unknown heights. But, he has a secret. He goes away from time to time and no-one knows where or what is his business. The revelation in the end is somewhat chocking for our student.
The amok runner is a doctor, practicing in the countryside in Indonesia. He lives a lonely existence and is waiting for his contract to end, so he can go back to Europe. One day a mysterious, European woman from the upper classes, enters his small practise. She only hints her business. He refuses her plead and she leaves. However, the doctor cannot get her out of his mind, and follows her to the city. Embarking on a crazy run for something he does not understand himself, he is running amok. It can only end in disaster.
All in all, Zweig's stories are beautifully written with lots of insight into the human psyche. He was a friend of Sigmund Freud, so might have been influenced by his research. His people are living on the edge, not being able to control their feelings. He shows how passions can take over your life, and not always in a good way. At the same time it can be a help and a way out of where we are. His writing, as John Banville puts it in an article (Ruined souls) in the Guardian: "Zweig's work is marked by a clear, fluent and expressive style, which translates easily and well, a paramount requirement for international success,...".
thebee's review against another edition
4.0
Read in French. Pretty easy to read, interesting short stories about crazy love
gfox3737's review against another edition
5.0
My babushka told me to read Zweig and I finally took her great advice. Now I want to read everything he ever wrote. I love that driving feeling coming from reading a fantastic writer for the first time and obsessing over them.
fmoreno's review
2.0
2,5 stars
«Amok», «A Carta de Uma Desconhecida» e «A Colecção Invísivel» são três breves contos que nos trazem três histórias diferentes. A primeira fala-nos sobre um homem que pretende saber se o amor é que governa a sua vida e fica de certa forma, obcecado com essa análise. O segundo fala-nos sobre uma mulher que gostaria de que o homem que ama reconhecesse a paixão que ela tem por ele e o terceiro e último conto, fala-nos sobre os coleccionistas.
Gostei bastante da escrita do autor Stefan, e considero que estes três contos tenham sido explorados da melhor forma. A sua narrativa é muito aliciante. Contudo, no geral não achei este pequeno livro assim tão especial e não me marcou de nenhuma forma particular. Apenas gostei, mas não delirei.
«Amok», «A Carta de Uma Desconhecida» e «A Colecção Invísivel» são três breves contos que nos trazem três histórias diferentes. A primeira fala-nos sobre um homem que pretende saber se o amor é que governa a sua vida e fica de certa forma, obcecado com essa análise. O segundo fala-nos sobre uma mulher que gostaria de que o homem que ama reconhecesse a paixão que ela tem por ele e o terceiro e último conto, fala-nos sobre os coleccionistas.
Gostei bastante da escrita do autor Stefan, e considero que estes três contos tenham sido explorados da melhor forma. A sua narrativa é muito aliciante. Contudo, no geral não achei este pequeno livro assim tão especial e não me marcou de nenhuma forma particular. Apenas gostei, mas não delirei.
avid_d's review
4.0
I can't say that any collection of short stories I have read warrants a ‘wow‘ rating, but I certainly loved reading these. All 4 stories are tragic, touching upon love, obsession, loss and suicide.
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