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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Kid survives what seem to be...abusive German (?) peasants during World War II.
I don't know how to describe this book, other than to say it felt hollow. "People are monsters" seems such a small, useless lesson to learn here--"Survive" seems another. There is no beauty, grace, or really even any meaning to this book. Maybe that's what it says. Life has none of those things: I just thought you should know.
I think part of my reaction here is that I've heard that sentiment before, many times, and by itself it's about as trite as the reverse. It felt like this was the gray brutalist cement version, unrelenting in that it stays focused and sane as it announces the death of the gods and the ascedancy of the Soviets. It's not awful in its craft or anything. I was just bored.
I don't know how to describe this book, other than to say it felt hollow. "People are monsters" seems such a small, useless lesson to learn here--"Survive" seems another. There is no beauty, grace, or really even any meaning to this book. Maybe that's what it says. Life has none of those things: I just thought you should know.
I think part of my reaction here is that I've heard that sentiment before, many times, and by itself it's about as trite as the reverse. It felt like this was the gray brutalist cement version, unrelenting in that it stays focused and sane as it announces the death of the gods and the ascedancy of the Soviets. It's not awful in its craft or anything. I was just bored.
Shock fiction from truth, before there was shock fiction. While much is written about those in concentration camps, the horrors of life outside them are less often publicized--This book makes sure you won't forget either story.
What a ride. Ik heb dit meegenomen uit de stapel boeken die Dirk De Geest uit zijn kantoor opruimde toen hij op emeritaat ging en laat ons zeggen dat ik snap waarom hij het wegdeed. Toch vier sterren, omdat ik nog nooit zo'n leeservaring heb gehad.
"Boeken maakten een reusachtige indruk op me. Uit een simpele, gedrukte bladzijde kon je een wereld oproepen die net zo echt was als de wereld die met de zintuigen werd waargenomen. Bovendien was de wereld van het boek, net als vlees uit blik, op een of andere manier voedzamer en smakelijker dan dagelijkse kost." (p. 220)
"Boeken maakten een reusachtige indruk op me. Uit een simpele, gedrukte bladzijde kon je een wereld oproepen die net zo echt was als de wereld die met de zintuigen werd waargenomen. Bovendien was de wereld van het boek, net als vlees uit blik, op een of andere manier voedzamer en smakelijker dan dagelijkse kost." (p. 220)
The officer surveyed me sharply. I felt like a squashed caterpillar oozing in the dust, a creature that could not harm anyone yet aroused loathing and disgust. In the presence of such a resplendent being, armed in all the symbols of might and majesty, I was genuinely ashamed of my appearance. I had nothing against his killing me.
Much as Nietzsche detonated a shaped charge and blew away all hope of a totalizing meta-narrative, it was books like The Painted Bird which left me ashamed, almost permanently. I don't harbor much hope of a recovery. Kosiński left us a catalog of horror. Hope and Justice appear cheaply broacaded within. I still think about the phone ringing at the end of the novel.
Much as Nietzsche detonated a shaped charge and blew away all hope of a totalizing meta-narrative, it was books like The Painted Bird which left me ashamed, almost permanently. I don't harbor much hope of a recovery. Kosiński left us a catalog of horror. Hope and Justice appear cheaply broacaded within. I still think about the phone ringing at the end of the novel.
First off - A warning, this book is INCREDIBLY graphic. Written as a post war study of human nature as an innocent in a society where humanity is at it's basest cruelest state, he does not pull his literary punches. The book is sickeningly gruesome at some points- but overall was a rewarding read. I would not recommend this to most readers.
Heartbreaking, shocking book, but very good. Read it many years ago.
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
An evocative parade of peasant superstitions followed by brutality, beastiality, and a fuck ton of r*pe. Chapter 15 in particular became repulsively heavy with the SA, and I'm not easily repulsed.
This book reminds me a little of Lapvona, in the sense that it's only goal is to be as dark and unpleasant as possible, only this book was far more serious and unpleasant than Lapvona. In a good way. I actually really liked most of the book, which is probably unhealthy of me. It was just so well written!
This book reminds me a little of Lapvona, in the sense that it's only goal is to be as dark and unpleasant as possible, only this book was far more serious and unpleasant than Lapvona. In a good way. I actually really liked most of the book, which is probably unhealthy of me. It was just so well written!
There were more than enough atrocities throughout the Holocaust, did we need this incredibly horrific fictitious story?