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challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Chronic illness, Misogyny, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, War
reflective
tense
medium-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
The exploration of human condition is so fun and interesting to read in this one- I can see how Zweig was bestie with Freud.
This novel seems so unsuspecting at first and then becomes this downward spiral of despair, obsession, anguish, loathing (both at others and self)... Some of the best internal monologes I've read and I won't lie I laughed multiple times throughout the book at the sheer ridiculousness and cowardness of Hofmiller.
I was going to rate this 4.75/5 but that scene whereCondor tears Hofmiller a new one was so entertaining +.25
This novel seems so unsuspecting at first and then becomes this downward spiral of despair, obsession, anguish, loathing (both at others and self)... Some of the best internal monologes I've read and I won't lie I laughed multiple times throughout the book at the sheer ridiculousness and cowardness of Hofmiller.
I was going to rate this 4.75/5 but that scene where
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Mental illness, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Antisemitism, War
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Man discovers empathy, chaos ensues.
This is an interesting study on the effect of pity, from a drop of consideration, to a cascading community upheaval. A young lieutenant named Hofmiller retells his experience with the wealthy Kekesfalva family, starting with his shameful blunder -- asking young Edith to dance, then realizing she's disabled.
It took me a while to appreciate Stefan Zweig's prose, which is immediately dramatic; monologues feel endless, though it's all in service of dragging you into the emotional turmoil of each character, mostly Hofmiller.
This book reminded me how entwined selfishness and selflessness are, despite being sold as wholly separate. Hofmiller feels proud and light, strong and capable, as he offers his presence to the family as a charity. Yet in his mind, Edith is a monster, the sounds of her crutches haunting him, her petulant outbursts controlling both him and the family. Zweig brilliantly creates the most destestable characters, and it's their self pity that creates the most destruction.
You'll love this if you're into translated historical fiction, thought-provoking takes on societal pressure and constructs, and themes about prejudice and misogyny.
This is an interesting study on the effect of pity, from a drop of consideration, to a cascading community upheaval. A young lieutenant named Hofmiller retells his experience with the wealthy Kekesfalva family, starting with his shameful blunder -- asking young Edith to dance, then realizing she's disabled.
It took me a while to appreciate Stefan Zweig's prose, which is immediately dramatic; monologues feel endless, though it's all in service of dragging you into the emotional turmoil of each character, mostly Hofmiller.
This book reminded me how entwined selfishness and selflessness are, despite being sold as wholly separate. Hofmiller feels proud and light, strong and capable, as he offers his presence to the family as a charity. Yet in his mind, Edith is a monster, the sounds of her crutches haunting him, her petulant outbursts controlling both him and the family. Zweig brilliantly creates the most destestable characters, and it's their self pity that creates the most destruction.
You'll love this if you're into translated historical fiction, thought-provoking takes on societal pressure and constructs, and themes about prejudice and misogyny.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Chronic illness, Death, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Self harm, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Classism
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Suicide, War
Minor: Self harm, Antisemitism
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A book from the 1930s about disability, seemingly unafraid of getting into the trickier moral questions surrounding ableism.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Suicide, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Chronic illness, Confinement, Self harm, Gaslighting