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ainsleysouthern's review
5.0
5 ✨
This was truly amazing.
This was a chance find and I’m so glad I did find it.
The Premise of this book was intriguing and the fact I t was based off a true case from the twentieth century…
I love how the author explored the themes and topics it covers and presents the events with no bias throughout, leaving it up to the readers interpretation.
Truly amazing book
This was truly amazing.
This was a chance find and I’m so glad I did find it.
The Premise of this book was intriguing and the fact I t was based off a true case from the twentieth century…
I love how the author explored the themes and topics it covers and presents the events with no bias throughout, leaving it up to the readers interpretation.
Truly amazing book
henrymarlene's review
3.0
A short book of fictionalised history. Eli and Grete are caught up in murder. Eli's husband, Link, is the victim of the murder, and Eli is the victim at his hand. Does the end justify the means? Should the crime be punished? In 1923, this story did reflect of the times and expectations. Yet the author seemed to understand and portray the abuse, violence and emotional turbulence that Eli experienced. This book was actually based on a very famous murder trial that took place in Berlin, and Alfred Doblin weaved together and narration around the story, providing a layer of humanity to the crimes committed. The narration is sparse, clean and straight to the point. The author reflects on the emotions that may have been and provides an analysis via the facts on what did occur. This style or writing is nothing like what I have read before: Alfred Dublin call this style "factual imagination". It was like reading a text book with emotion. Interesting, indeed.
theunrealerin's review
dark
sad
medium-paced
2.0
Meh. The prose was nothing special. Which makes this just an uninspiring narrative about coercive control, DV and women driven to violence in self defence.
textpublishing's review
The following book reviews have been shared by Text Publishing – publisher of Two Women and a Poisoning
'A slender number to churn through with bated breath.'
Fullers Bookshop
‘As gripping today as it was when published in 1924.’
Australian Women’s Weekly
'For the reader it is as frightening as it is perplexing, as Doeblin has leapt off a true event into an all-involving piece of art.'
Otago Daily Times
'Two Women and a Poisoning—in Imogen Taylor's sensitive translation—has much to contribute to the current search for answers to the terrible question of what brings men—and occasionally women—to kill their intimate partners.'
ABR
'A slender number to churn through with bated breath.'
Fullers Bookshop
‘As gripping today as it was when published in 1924.’
Australian Women’s Weekly
'For the reader it is as frightening as it is perplexing, as Doeblin has leapt off a true event into an all-involving piece of art.'
Otago Daily Times
'Two Women and a Poisoning—in Imogen Taylor's sensitive translation—has much to contribute to the current search for answers to the terrible question of what brings men—and occasionally women—to kill their intimate partners.'
ABR
bookshelfbybee's review
5.0
Wow - this book is a winner for me. At first, I was worried that I wouldn’t enjoy it, especially because it’s a translation originally written by a man in the 1920s, but that wasn’t the case at all. I enjoyed this novel epically and finished it in about 2 hours. Döblin’s writing masterfully showcases the complexities of domestic violence, the things it can drive us to do, and the unfortunate reality that the awful actions of males are brushed aside by society as misdemeanours while defensive female actions are only criminal. For example, for society, the criminality of Elli’s escape to her parents’ house after her husband abuses her isn’t that he beat her, but that she left him.
This novel also dabbles in female homosexuality, which is a brave feat for a book originally published in 1924, and I found the relationship between the two female protagonists fascinating. All of the characters were so incredibly complex and multifaceted, and Döblin’s careful intertwining of fact and fiction in an unbiased way was captivating.
Another element that made this book enjoyable and unique came in the final pages - Döblin inserts analysis’ of the real handwriting of the women who inspired the book, and diagrams that take the reader through the psychological changes that each of the character’s experienced. It was compelling and somewhat glamorous to read a story so anchored in reality, but that also included Döblin’s own interpretations.
When to Read - If you want a fast and succinct read that packs more punch into 150 pages than some novels manage to do in 500.
This novel also dabbles in female homosexuality, which is a brave feat for a book originally published in 1924, and I found the relationship between the two female protagonists fascinating. All of the characters were so incredibly complex and multifaceted, and Döblin’s careful intertwining of fact and fiction in an unbiased way was captivating.
Another element that made this book enjoyable and unique came in the final pages - Döblin inserts analysis’ of the real handwriting of the women who inspired the book, and diagrams that take the reader through the psychological changes that each of the character’s experienced. It was compelling and somewhat glamorous to read a story so anchored in reality, but that also included Döblin’s own interpretations.
When to Read - If you want a fast and succinct read that packs more punch into 150 pages than some novels manage to do in 500.
grownscaredofghosts's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
nisanatreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-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
3.0
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