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brandonadaniels's review against another edition
4.0
A short (shorter than it looks even) but harrowing tale. My second book of the author’s after The Dig. This one is even more stripped away and laid bare. I prefer The Dig and think it’s probably a better place to start. This one reads a bit more like poetry, which could be a challenge for some.
kingarooski's review against another edition
5.0
Sparsely written and just under 100 pages, this is a beautiful book, where every word is worth 10 of other authors. It blew me away. First real 5-star read in a long time.
jovanafinlebrun's review against another edition
4.0
Niemand kan zo goed in flarden toch een compleet beeld en verhaal neerzetten als Cynan Jones. Prachtig.
berlinbibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
This book has a long-winded and twisty publication history, but that has led to the text now being a finely honed work in which every word does its job. I can't really say anything about it except that the prose is beautifully simple and the tenses are used to great effect.
luckyluc27's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
dewirijks's review against another edition
3.0
mwoah, ik weet t niet dit boek. Knap geschreven, beklemmend in zijn eenvoud. misschien was ik niet in de stemming voor zoveel treurnis, melancholie. Ben benieuwd of ik er vanavond na de bespreking in de leeskring anders over denk. #boekperweek 6/52
scootzilla's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-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? No
2.75
ronanmcd's review
5.0
This would be a wonderful companion piece for Forsyth's The Shepherd + Golding's Pincher Martin.
A man alone, at sea, with a job to do, his own life to preserve. The mind wanders, the impossible mixes with and becomes possible; thoughts feel physical before dripping away into shadows and reflections.
The three books question how we live and respect that we die alone. But here we delve into how we should live, and how we do live; should the currents carry us or should we fight them ? Will chance alone bring us to a destination or must we set a course?
The prose is thoughtful, expertly typeset, with the exactitude of poetry.
**
A special word must go to the cover. A beautiful piece by Jenny Griggs, it is the masterful match of the book. That is not in any way a flippant remark, or detraction from the book. It is not to disregard the writing, but to elevate it. It is accompanied & presented by a visual piece of the highest calibre.
A man alone, at sea, with a job to do, his own life to preserve. The mind wanders, the impossible mixes with and becomes possible; thoughts feel physical before dripping away into shadows and reflections.
The three books question how we live and respect that we die alone. But here we delve into how we should live, and how we do live; should the currents carry us or should we fight them ? Will chance alone bring us to a destination or must we set a course?
The prose is thoughtful, expertly typeset, with the exactitude of poetry.
**
A special word must go to the cover. A beautiful piece by Jenny Griggs, it is the masterful match of the book. That is not in any way a flippant remark, or detraction from the book. It is not to disregard the writing, but to elevate it. It is accompanied & presented by a visual piece of the highest calibre.
ottinye's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0