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sebwhalley's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
findingfrancis's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Possible the most accurately named novel I have (possibly?) ever read.
meadowlarked's review against another edition
4.5
This is a really good book about the dangers of pity, especially if one isn’t selfless enough to commit to the consequences. It is both fascinating and excruciating to watch Anton, led by his pity, fall deeper and deeper into a rabbit hole of lies and false hope, all for the sake of a poor paralyzed girl who he doesn’t truly love. I’d never really understood the phrase, “the road to hell is paved with good intentions,” but Beware of Pity does a great job of showing just how damning those good intentions can be when they lead to deception.
The writing in this book is very good, which ironically may have caused me to enjoy it less. Zweig is able to make the reader really feel all of Anton’s anxieties and fears, to the point where I had to take multiple breaks while reading just to escape out of his mind for a little while. My friends and family will know just how frustrated I was every time Anton would make an ill-considered decision because he wasn’t strong enough to resist his pity and tell the truth. It’s a testament to the good writing and strong characters — particularly Dr. Condor, who is a fantastic foil to Anton — that I was able to push through.
Beware of Pity isn’t a lighthearted read by any means, but I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys stories that have strong writing and meaningful messages.
The writing in this book is very good, which ironically may have caused me to enjoy it less. Zweig is able to make the reader really feel all of Anton’s anxieties and fears, to the point where I had to take multiple breaks while reading just to escape out of his mind for a little while. My friends and family will know just how frustrated I was every time Anton would make an ill-considered decision because he wasn’t strong enough to resist his pity and tell the truth. It’s a testament to the good writing and strong characters — particularly Dr. Condor, who is a fantastic foil to Anton — that I was able to push through.
Beware of Pity isn’t a lighthearted read by any means, but I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys stories that have strong writing and meaningful messages.
mlacante's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
brokenbraincell's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Some of these characters love to yappppp sheesh
Mc was super anxious and avoidant (lowkey #me)
The novel seemed to drag for the first 3/4, in part because many of the characters are given major background introductions which may be enjoyable for some; however, this wasn’t a concern for the last 1/4 of the book - relatively fast-paced, and got into the meat that the rest of the story was building up to
Mc was super anxious and avoidant (lowkey #me)
The novel seemed to drag for the first 3/4, in part because many of the characters are given major background introductions which may be enjoyable for some; however, this wasn’t a concern for the last 1/4 of the book - relatively fast-paced, and got into the meat that the rest of the story was building up to
stephrampton's review against another edition
4.0
Overly long and melodramatic towards the end, but otherwise a good read
baghead's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Suicide attempt
Minor: Suicide
purplepierogi's review against another edition
reading Stefan Zweig in a Viennese coffee house that he frequented one hundred years ago … chef’s kiss