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phoebe912's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
kafka_on_the_shore's review against another edition
5.0
Not an easy read. Brilliant in parts, often meandering into seemingly innocuous and mundane stuff. Also, i think i just read the longest sentence of my life, one which covered 2-3 pages completely. Five stars for the sheer audacity of the author to conjure up a story and then narrate it in such an unconventional way.
gadicohen93's review against another edition
4.0
A hypnotic read, as another review on here said. A slow searing start that, as we meet Austerlitz and hear the story of his dark and enigmatic childhood, becomes more and more mesmerizing and doomed. I wish I slowed down to read but this did fly by at times, while becoming a bit slow and detailed at other times. Some of the prose was achingly beautiful.
aika1801's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-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
2.25
marno_klass's review against another edition
4.0
Brilliant book. Sebald's exploration of themes of memory and disintegration are helpful and compelling. His addition of images is fascinating and alluring. I would recommend this book to the right person.
That said, it is certainly not for everyone - the structure is odd and sometimes offputting (though important for Sebald's project). Anyone who wants a standard plot structure (or even a climax or a narrator with a name) should look elsewhere for their next read.
That said, it is certainly not for everyone - the structure is odd and sometimes offputting (though important for Sebald's project). Anyone who wants a standard plot structure (or even a climax or a narrator with a name) should look elsewhere for their next read.
anthonymzinno's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A man struggling with his identity and childhood trauma over a span of 30 years (or simultaneously, if time works as Austerlitz hypothesizes). The result is a rambling and reflective piece of literature that I loved, and would recommend to some, but not to most.
Moderate: Genocide
The Holocaust plays a big rolebookscatsandjazz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
jonathanlibrarian's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Perhaps I'm too obtuse but just could not get into this one. The prose is simple enough but the endless descriptions of plot less things just couldn't hold me. Maybe to be revisited in a decade.
fictionalkajsa's review against another edition
0.5
This book is my nemesis. Only finished out of pure spite.