Reviews

Why Do You Wear a Cheap Watch? by Hans Fallada

readingrambles's review

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funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0

dimlight's review

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funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes

3.75

marlsss's review

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4.0

- I enjoyed the sarcastic tone in "why do you wear a cheap watch?" and "war monument or urinal?"
- and then "fifty marks and a merry Christmas" was a welcome change and actually quite heartwarming

lisadelasan's review

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fast-paced

5.0

yushuan's review

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

ronanmcd's review

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5.0

You wouldn't normally choose Fallada as an uplifting read, and true to form on two the three stories here he isn't.
But they all come together to bring you into the twisted machinations and struggle of daily life in 1930s Germany. Fallada was hugely socially engaged. These portraits could not have been written by anyone without that empathetic observation. They are beautiful.

whatmarreads's review

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4.5

Favorite short story was “War Memorial or Urinal?”

outi's review

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funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

3.5

seanius's review

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5.0

Endearing short stories of ne'er-do-wells in the hard years between the two great wars in Berlin. The language trips off the page, with lively well-drawn characters and good humour. War Monument or Urinal is a quality satire of small town politics, against the backdrop of the rise of national socialism. Fifty Marks and a Merry Christmas is a yule tide tale that would warm the heart of the hardiest Scrooge.

markkon's review

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funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No

3.0