Slaughterhouse-Five
Kurt Vonnegut
Dial Press, 2009
First impression:
I know this author from before and had forgotten how utterly wonderful he is to read. In my first sitting I got through about 50 pages, which is unusual for me, especially since I generally don't think much of war literature. The main theme is reminiscent of one from Svålhålet by Mikael Niemi, so if you enjoyed that as much as I did, this is a recommendation.
Review:
I can't help myself when it comes to this style of writing; there is just something special about the way complex ideas are expressed in such simple terms that the ideas in turn become elementary. Having read two other books by him, too, the intertextuality is stimulating. The plot wasn't very elaborate but more or less a description of various settings, but this did not provide any difficulty for me in getting through the almost 300 pages. There is a sincere, silly sentimentality about Vonnegut which always manages to plant the most wonderful seeds of thought in me.
Rating: Impressive
Showing posts with label war. Show all posts
Showing posts with label war. Show all posts
February 25, 2011
July 15, 2010
The Book Thief
The Book Thief
Markus Zusak
Black Swan, 2007
First impression:
I was drawn to this book for its unusual style of writing, but a very brief reading later I am more caught up in the plot and characters, and find some of the simplistic language use slightly annoying. I am, however, despite the occasional pseudo-philosophical moment, charmed.
Review:
In the end I was very moved by this work, as I think one is wont to be. Even though it was very long and there were few major plot events, I felt no boredom as I made my way through it. The only thing I can hold against it is the language, possibly because I was disturbed by the sensation of reading translated German when I really wasn't. This is a different contribution to second world war literature, and I appreciated its sincerity and subtle sentimentality. Needless to say, my own love of books didn't hinder me from enjoying one about them.
Rating: Impressive
Markus Zusak
Black Swan, 2007
First impression:
I was drawn to this book for its unusual style of writing, but a very brief reading later I am more caught up in the plot and characters, and find some of the simplistic language use slightly annoying. I am, however, despite the occasional pseudo-philosophical moment, charmed.
Review:
In the end I was very moved by this work, as I think one is wont to be. Even though it was very long and there were few major plot events, I felt no boredom as I made my way through it. The only thing I can hold against it is the language, possibly because I was disturbed by the sensation of reading translated German when I really wasn't. This is a different contribution to second world war literature, and I appreciated its sincerity and subtle sentimentality. Needless to say, my own love of books didn't hinder me from enjoying one about them.
Rating: Impressive
August 24, 2009
The Cure For Death By Lightning
The Cure For Death By Lightning
Gail Anderson-Dargatz
Vintage Canada, 1997
First impression:
The language is peculiar, some blend between rather old American and translated Eastern European, thus the atmosphere oscillates between The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter and Everything Is Illuminated. Curious to see where this will lead.
Review:
This book is magical from beginning to end, and full of depth and images that are beyond my comprehension. Much of the material could well be described as poetry, and the author really controls the reader with a constantly present atmospheric pressure and character portraits so complicated and confusing they might as well be real. The descriptions of how "modern life" took place in the 1940s are also quite stunning, although the homeliness warms up the book from the core. I did miss a more deductive plotline to hang on to, but except for that I was very touched by the sincere and often tragical stories that came alive through this novel.
Rating: Impressive
Gail Anderson-Dargatz
Vintage Canada, 1997
First impression:
The language is peculiar, some blend between rather old American and translated Eastern European, thus the atmosphere oscillates between The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter and Everything Is Illuminated. Curious to see where this will lead.
Review:
This book is magical from beginning to end, and full of depth and images that are beyond my comprehension. Much of the material could well be described as poetry, and the author really controls the reader with a constantly present atmospheric pressure and character portraits so complicated and confusing they might as well be real. The descriptions of how "modern life" took place in the 1940s are also quite stunning, although the homeliness warms up the book from the core. I did miss a more deductive plotline to hang on to, but except for that I was very touched by the sincere and often tragical stories that came alive through this novel.
Rating: Impressive
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
