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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Funny ASF
Ever amazed when something written in 1800s (well 1890!) still holds so much for 130years later. I think this is in part due to the careful re-translation by Sverre Lyngstad. I don't normally enjoy Intros/Afterwords/Appendixes but was really fascinated by these. Who knew Jo Nesbø was a man (prob everyone but me!) - really good intro honest about darker sides of Hamsun but also his talent and influence on Norwegian literature. There are loads of comparisons between previous translations/mistranslations in the appendix which are fascinating to see how language can be interpreted. "Dump traet" "dog-tired"is a particularly good new phrase I've learnt.
The book itself is dreary and bleak with threads of Down & Out in Paris & London or A Christmas Carol without the cheerier ending. It is captivating though you can really imagine hobbling around the streets with the protagonist dark and cold. His hunger has marked physical and psychological impacts including creativity through hallucinations at times. Decision making is erratic and sometimes frustrating but starvation doesn't always lend itself to rationality. A hungry mind is an anxious mind. Some of the imagery was nauseating (bit too much raw meat and vomit) but probably suggests it is well-written. Overall it is quite a dark book and not many light moments or likability in characters but certainly an impressive one.
The book itself is dreary and bleak with threads of Down & Out in Paris & London or A Christmas Carol without the cheerier ending. It is captivating though you can really imagine hobbling around the streets with the protagonist dark and cold. His hunger has marked physical and psychological impacts including creativity through hallucinations at times. Decision making is erratic and sometimes frustrating but starvation doesn't always lend itself to rationality. A hungry mind is an anxious mind. Some of the imagery was nauseating (bit too much raw meat and vomit) but probably suggests it is well-written. Overall it is quite a dark book and not many light moments or likability in characters but certainly an impressive one.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Bedre leseropplevelse nå enn den jeg hadde som god og mett og dum 18-åring i Bergen, nå som jeg selv har fått noen mærker å skilte med. Leter stadig etter båter vendt mot Leeds. Bra bok. Sult. Kult.
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
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
dark
reflective
tense
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