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millen13's review against another edition
4.0
The story of a Jewish man living in Prague waiting for his turn to come to go on the transports.
It offers a perspective I haven't seen before in books about this period in time. There's no running from the nazis, no surviving razzias or anything like that. It is about the main character dealing with the nonsensical rules and systems that were put in place to wear down the spirit of the jews.
It's a depressing way of life, brought to life by a skillful writer who actually lived this life. You'd be hardpressed to find a better story about this harrowing period of 2nd WW life.
It offers a perspective I haven't seen before in books about this period in time. There's no running from the nazis, no surviving razzias or anything like that. It is about the main character dealing with the nonsensical rules and systems that were put in place to wear down the spirit of the jews.
It's a depressing way of life, brought to life by a skillful writer who actually lived this life. You'd be hardpressed to find a better story about this harrowing period of 2nd WW life.
oninka's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
darth_lil's review against another edition
4.0
Love this book! It's definitely a Czech classic. However, the translation could have been done a bit better.
millen13's review against another edition
4.0
The story of a Jewish man living in Prague waiting for his turn to come to go on the transports.
It offers a perspective I haven't seen before in books about this period in time. There's no running from the nazis, no surviving razzias or anything like that. It is about the main character dealing with the nonsensical rules and systems that were put in place to wear down the spirit of the jews.
It's a depressing way of life, brought to life by a skillful writer who actually lived this life. You'd be hardpressed to find a better story about this harrowing period of 2nd WW life.
It offers a perspective I haven't seen before in books about this period in time. There's no running from the nazis, no surviving razzias or anything like that. It is about the main character dealing with the nonsensical rules and systems that were put in place to wear down the spirit of the jews.
It's a depressing way of life, brought to life by a skillful writer who actually lived this life. You'd be hardpressed to find a better story about this harrowing period of 2nd WW life.
estacer's review
4.0
In my opinion, not as unique or interesting as Weil's other work (Mendelssohn is on the Roof), but a good story in that it's an unusual take on a very common topic for historical fiction. (Granted, when it was written, it wasn't exactly history, having been completed just a few years after the war.)
As another reviewer has pointed out, the style of Weil's writing: repetition, banal details gives the reader an idea of how Jews in Prague had to manage to live on with this threat hanging over them. And the lack of mention of "Nazis" or "Germans" also allows us to realise what it might be like in a different context and a different enemy.
I will also add that the narrator goes from having some of the worst circumstances compared to his friends/family at the beginning of the novel to the inverse by the end of the novel. I haven't yet understood what Weil was intending with that twist of "fate".
Side note: I was confused by people saying that Prague was not mentioned as the location. I saw several mentions of Prague in the book. But maybe it's not in the original language?
As another reviewer has pointed out, the style of Weil's writing: repetition, banal details gives the reader an idea of how Jews in Prague had to manage to live on with this threat hanging over them. And the lack of mention of "Nazis" or "Germans" also allows us to realise what it might be like in a different context and a different enemy.
I will also add that the narrator goes from having some of the worst circumstances compared to his friends/family at the beginning of the novel to the inverse by the end of the novel. I haven't yet understood what Weil was intending with that twist of "fate".
Side note: I was confused by people saying that Prague was not mentioned as the location. I saw several mentions of Prague in the book. But maybe it's not in the original language?
ellieintherye's review against another edition
5.0
this book is beautiful and horrifying all at once. I've never read a book so perfect in its ability to determine the speed and emphasis by matching plot and diction so exactly. it is purposefully slow-moving as we follow Josef through his stages of grief living as a Jewish man in Nazi-occupied Prague. you hear his thoughts, his panic, his bravery, his obsessions. deeply deeply deeply moving and highly recommended.
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