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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Ok, I think I have to start this by saying that I did not love this book - it was long and dry, and it felt like a chore to finish it more than anything else. This is very much the first book in a complex series, and you can tell that so much of what you're reading is set up.
The biggest redeeming factor is that I liked Sasha a lot. She was a well-rounded and complex character; she faced a lot of challenges, and she didn't easily overcome each of them. She acted coldly and selfishly at times, she was driven by fear(shocker) often. She's ambitious, and that causes a lot of problems for her, which is compelling to read.
That said... I was still bored a lot. I wasn't deeply invested in her relationships with anyone (family, friends, love interest, professors) and it took a long time to grasp wtf was going on with her and what she was even learning/training to do. I think that's purposeful, but I didn't love just how long it took to understand any of it.
The writing was beautiful, and I could tell that a lot of thought went into the story. It did all eventually come together well too, and I suspect further books might be a bit more... interesting due to needing less buildup, but I don't know if this book was good enough for me to want to read the rest of the series. That said, I still think the quality of the writing, plot, and Sasha's character means I would feel wrong to rate it less than 3 stars.
Also, the warnings about body horror/vomiting are not a joke either, if you're sensitive to that even a little bit, just don't - this will be too much.
The biggest redeeming factor is that I liked Sasha a lot. She was a well-rounded and complex character; she faced a lot of challenges, and she didn't easily overcome each of them. She acted coldly and selfishly at times, she was driven by fear
That said... I was still bored a lot. I wasn't deeply invested in her relationships with anyone (family, friends, love interest, professors) and it took a long time to grasp wtf was going on with her and what she was even learning/training to do. I think that's purposeful, but I didn't love just how long it took to understand any of it.
The writing was beautiful, and I could tell that a lot of thought went into the story. It did all eventually come together well too, and I suspect further books might be a bit more... interesting due to needing less buildup, but I don't know if this book was good enough for me to want to read the rest of the series. That said, I still think the quality of the writing, plot, and Sasha's character means I would feel wrong to rate it less than 3 stars.
Also, the warnings about body horror/vomiting are not a joke either, if you're sensitive to that even a little bit, just don't - this will be too much.
a fascinating and incredibly challenging novel. at times all-encompassing and overwhelming and at other times dry and empty. inexplicable.
There were so many kafkaesque elements in this book that I must re-read it sometime so as to get a better understanding of it. Overall, the aspect of magical realism added a nice twist of absurdism to this story.
However, it should be noted that this book isn’t a conventional story exploring magical realism. The magical aspect is presented in a philosophical and obscure manner, adding to the book's distinctiveness. The book plays with esotericism a lot and the dark and grotesque setting really sets it apart from typical magic-themed stories. That being said, this book can hardly be recommend to readers who prefer stories that are easy to digest.
To my understanding, the story can be interpreted as an allegory of growing up, where the young must learn and adapt to the adult world and its rules which at first appear vague and incomprehensible. Eventually, by mastering the language game of adulthood, they gain the power (magic) to fulfill their potential.
However, it should be noted that this book isn’t a conventional story exploring magical realism. The magical aspect is presented in a philosophical and obscure manner, adding to the book's distinctiveness. The book plays with esotericism a lot and the dark and grotesque setting really sets it apart from typical magic-themed stories. That being said, this book can hardly be recommend to readers who prefer stories that are easy to digest.
To my understanding, the story can be interpreted as an allegory of growing up, where the young must learn and adapt to the adult world and its rules which at first appear vague and incomprehensible. Eventually, by mastering the language game of adulthood, they gain the power (magic) to fulfill their potential.
Vita Nostra has been compared to books like The Magicians and Harry Potter, but with a Russian twist. I found this to be an unfair comparison - yes, they all feature magical schools, but Vita Nostra foregoes most of the narrative structure present in these works for something more literary in scope.
I am torn on if I actually enjoyed this book or not to be honest. On one hand, it is a deeply depressing work of fiction that's central theme is college students trying to comprehend metaphysics and nominalism. If that sounds like an exciting read, I would be interested in hearing what other books you enjoy. If Harry Potter is the perfect magic school where everyone has fun and casts cool spells, and Brakebills is the subversive school where you have to hurt your hands while turning into whales, then I have no idea what to call the Institute of Special Technology. The students are forced there under threat of death of their loved ones, and instead of getting cool wands and casting exciting spells, they mainly sit around crappy dorms reading gibberish that makes them slightly insane.
This leads to a book that is strangely unsatisfying. The main character Sahsa, is told that she makes great progress, but by around 75% of the book, the reader has yet to see any magic. Instead, most of the progress is marked by clinical depression and mental dis-figuration. It appears that perhaps the first novel is heavily dependent on the sequels for any sort of payoff for the reader. I finished the book and found myself surprised that there wasn't another 200 pages to wrap everything up.
That isn't to say I didn't find some joy in the novel. The characterization, although bizarre due to the setting, was interesting. In fact, the author may even argue that my dissatisfaction with the payoff was intentional. A large theme of the book is that hard, unrewarding work is a simple fact of life, and that completing what is expected of you shouldn't warrant any particular merit. Although this theme is quite depressing, I wouldn't think to question it's validity or execution.
Ultimately, there is a lot of interesting things happening in Vita Nostra. However, the fact that most of those things are wrapped around pages of teenagers sinking into manic episodes while trying to chant meaningless words tended to take away a lot of my personal interest. I would look forward to a translation of the sequel if only to see if there is a reward hidden within the pages of this series.
I am torn on if I actually enjoyed this book or not to be honest. On one hand, it is a deeply depressing work of fiction that's central theme is college students trying to comprehend metaphysics and nominalism. If that sounds like an exciting read, I would be interested in hearing what other books you enjoy. If Harry Potter is the perfect magic school where everyone has fun and casts cool spells, and Brakebills is the subversive school where you have to hurt your hands while turning into whales, then I have no idea what to call the Institute of Special Technology. The students are forced there under threat of death of their loved ones, and instead of getting cool wands and casting exciting spells, they mainly sit around crappy dorms reading gibberish that makes them slightly insane.
This leads to a book that is strangely unsatisfying. The main character Sahsa, is told that she makes great progress, but by around 75% of the book, the reader has yet to see any magic. Instead, most of the progress is marked by clinical depression and mental dis-figuration. It appears that perhaps the first novel is heavily dependent on the sequels for any sort of payoff for the reader. I finished the book and found myself surprised that there wasn't another 200 pages to wrap everything up.
That isn't to say I didn't find some joy in the novel. The characterization, although bizarre due to the setting, was interesting. In fact, the author may even argue that my dissatisfaction with the payoff was intentional. A large theme of the book is that hard, unrewarding work is a simple fact of life, and that completing what is expected of you shouldn't warrant any particular merit. Although this theme is quite depressing, I wouldn't think to question it's validity or execution.
Ultimately, there is a lot of interesting things happening in Vita Nostra. However, the fact that most of those things are wrapped around pages of teenagers sinking into manic episodes while trying to chant meaningless words tended to take away a lot of my personal interest. I would look forward to a translation of the sequel if only to see if there is a reward hidden within the pages of this series.
I literally did not know what was going on whatsoever the entire time I was reading and yet… I am completely blown away by it. If you were to ask my to explain what it’s about I would not be able to put it into words so just pick it up ASAP and join me in complete confusion and simultaneous amazement
What. The. Fuck.
I really wish I could just put a book down and DNF it. I kept pushing through, hoping it would somehow be worth it but I just wish I could have my time back.
This book is bizarre, and not in a good way. The idea that a teenage girl would just start following the intirely ridiculous and creepy request of a man she is terrified of is unbelievable. I'm not going to waste any more time on this book to review it further.
I really wish I could just put a book down and DNF it. I kept pushing through, hoping it would somehow be worth it but I just wish I could have my time back.
This book is bizarre, and not in a good way. The idea that a teenage girl would just start following the intirely ridiculous and creepy request of a man she is terrified of is unbelievable. I'm not going to waste any more time on this book to review it further.
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes