Reviews

Utz by Bruce Chatwin

hayley_anderson's review

adventurous funny informative mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

emilymadeline's review

funny informative mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

chairmanbernanke's review against another edition

3.0

An interesting story on life and collecting.

clmckinney's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny informative mysterious reflective sad tense 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? It's complicated

4.5

This is about a man who collects porcelain. His name is Utz. This explores the idea of what a collector is. And also what we consider valuable. Parallels are drawn from porcelain to golems and alchemy. As well, in the midst of collecting these art relics, we see how communism impacted this peculiar man. This tale is funny, touching, and at times, strange but thoroughly enjoyable. I am fascinated with the author. I will definitely be diving into his catalogue to read more of his work. I give this one a 4.5/5. 

perryleibovitz's review

funny reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

meknight's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

mateusjobim's review

mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

2.0

dajna's review against another edition

3.0

Don't get fooled by the shortness of the booklet: the story is quite rich. We meet this self-centered mr Utz on the day of his funeral, through the memories of an acquaintance of his. Mr Utz has been a spoiled child and an eccentric adult, a bourgeoisie in a communist country. He's a collector, and an addicted to porcelain. But the is also delusional.
I get the sophistication of the story, but I don't get the story. I've been indifferent to Utz's struggling and suffering.

timgreenard's review

funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

More like a novella, Utz is the only novel by Bruce Chatwin, a travel writer and journalist. It was loosely based on his encounter with a real ceramics collector, and the style brilliantly conveys an individual's brief encounter with the odd Utz and his subsequent investigation into the truth about his life and his obsession.

It's an enjoyable mix of character study/travel writing and, since it's so short, there's no good reason not to give it a try. 

noelles's review

reflective 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

3.0