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calamityjones's review against another edition
5.0
God damn this book. It started off beautiful and slow and then it kept building on me til by the end I was was cursing and crying. You should read it, and his stories too. I will read anything Penkov writes.
sve100's review against another edition
3.0
I was curuious to read Penkov's second book, after the well celebrated 'East of the west'. I wanted to read the English version as I was wondering why someone would chose to write in a language other than their native one.
My opinion of Penkov's writing was confirmed - his style is beautiful and well- polished, embelished with attractive words that, I am sure, does the job of impressing the average reader. Yet, this writing feels too much like a college paper, graded with an A, rather than a piece that is deeply heartfelt.
That, however, is not the main problem in this book. "Stork Mountain" simply doesn't tell a convincing story. A grown-up boy coming back to meet his grandpa, reconnect with his past...a great start...but then comes all the nestinari/storks/communism/heartbreak pieces. It seems the author tried to do a puzzle but somehow the pieces didn't fit, at least for me.
I do not know how much time Penkov spent researching on the book and talking to local people in Strandja, but at times it feels that he just sat and wrote the book without his foot stepping out of his office.
A question that remains unanswered for me is 'Who is this book meant for?' If it is meant to appeal to Bulgarian imigrants...then it will probably strike a sensitive cord or two. In any case, if it does reach to a larger audience, I will be really happy. Although I hope Penkov's next book is better.
My opinion of Penkov's writing was confirmed - his style is beautiful and well- polished, embelished with attractive words that, I am sure, does the job of impressing the average reader. Yet, this writing feels too much like a college paper, graded with an A, rather than a piece that is deeply heartfelt.
That, however, is not the main problem in this book. "Stork Mountain" simply doesn't tell a convincing story. A grown-up boy coming back to meet his grandpa, reconnect with his past...a great start...but then comes all the nestinari/storks/communism/heartbreak pieces. It seems the author tried to do a puzzle but somehow the pieces didn't fit, at least for me.
I do not know how much time Penkov spent researching on the book and talking to local people in Strandja, but at times it feels that he just sat and wrote the book without his foot stepping out of his office.
A question that remains unanswered for me is 'Who is this book meant for?' If it is meant to appeal to Bulgarian imigrants...then it will probably strike a sensitive cord or two. In any case, if it does reach to a larger audience, I will be really happy. Although I hope Penkov's next book is better.
p_anova's review against another edition
5.0
Хм... все още съм афектирана от края. Наслаждавах се на стила на писане през цялото време.. на всеки детайл... на начина, по който се преплитат минало и настояще... реалност и легенди. Описанията на местата и хората са толкова живи и истински.. всяка дума си е на мястото. Обрат след обрат докато загубя усещане за посока и романът свърши както най-малко съм очаквала. Последите 50 страници бяха просто... "Ама как? Ама защо? Какво?!?" Сигурна съм, че някои въпроси ще продължават да ме преследват още дълго време. Не ми хареса само как се развиха нещата за главния герой и Елиф, но може би има известна логика. Като изключим това, цялостната ми оценка е 5 звезди заради атмосферата, заради българското, заради огромния труд, вложен в книгата, и може би най-вече заради това, че ме накара да мразя героите и да ги обичам.
georgiarybanks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
yanulya's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.75
flyingbulgarian's review against another edition
4.0
What a ride. Always a pleasure reading books by Bulgarian authors and Miroslav has to be one of my new favourites. I Love that this is a book of fiction, I loved the characters, I loved that he brought the conflict of Bulgarian vs Turkish vs Ottoman vs Nestinari vs Greeks - it brings the complexity of that part of Bulgaria in a way I never thought I’d read in a book. I thoroughly enjoyed the book - and kept seeing myself in the Amerikanche character - a Bulgarian, but foreign with a funny accent none the less who has come home but finds not quite what he thought he would.
My only criticism is the fictionalisation of some myths and legends and the addition of new made up stories about Attila and Lana (sorry if I got that name wrong) - I don’t like that. I didn’t realise those were fictional and spent some time beating myself up for not knowing those myths and legends - only to realise they were made up... but that’s on me not the author.
Can’t wait to see what next he writes.
My only criticism is the fictionalisation of some myths and legends and the addition of new made up stories about Attila and Lana (sorry if I got that name wrong) - I don’t like that. I didn’t realise those were fictional and spent some time beating myself up for not knowing those myths and legends - only to realise they were made up... but that’s on me not the author.
Can’t wait to see what next he writes.
addisonleigh's review against another edition
challenging
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
stephb413's review against another edition
3.0
I love this part of the world with such a long history of so many groups living together, which is a topic this book covers well. I was glad when it finished though because is just seems to go on for too long with a plot that at times seemed to be running in circles. Perhaps though that is not the author's fault, as that is what history tends to do unfortunately. I think you really have to love the Balkans or have a personal attachment to the topic to really enjoy this book.