Scan barcode
katykelly's review
5.0
‘Only really bad people take things that don’t belong to them.’
Without looking back at the rest of the year’s reading, currently around 160 titles, I can say with certainly that this tops the pile. I thought ‘The Heart’s Invisible Furies’ would be impossible to top, but this may have done it.
Of interest in particular to reading and literature aficionados, but this is a brilliant slow-burn story for anyone searching for a riveting read, for an unforgettable character, for something different.
Blending real life writers (Gore Vidal - I’ve never read him but I do know the name) with those created for the book, this straddles several decades in the life of one author in particular from his youthful entry into the industry and the steps he takes along the way to fame and respect.
Erich Ackermann is instantly smitten with a fawning young man when they meet by chance at an author event. Taking him on as an assistant, showing him the inside of the industry, encouraging his writing, Erich even reveals a shameful past he’s never before spoken about. Maurice listens, learns, and uses his new knowledge to boost his own fledgling writing career, changing more than one life in the process.
Maurice is almost unbelievable. The book is split into several sections, each telling the story of the genesis of one of his published works. As Erich’s story closes, the import of what is to come is only just becoming apparent.
I’ve never come across a character quite like Maurice. The layers of his decisions, including through his history, are jaw-dropping as he does all he can to live up to his statement: “I was born to be a writer.” Just what has to happen for this to be the narrative is unbelievable.
There are surprises along the way, and those who’ve read Boyne before will be prepared for a rather emotional time as they follow Maurice through his life.
Quite stunning. A killer of an ending too. Boyne has given us a classic look into the world of literature as well as a modern classic character study and discussion piece.
With thanks to Netgalley for the advance reading copy.
Without looking back at the rest of the year’s reading, currently around 160 titles, I can say with certainly that this tops the pile. I thought ‘The Heart’s Invisible Furies’ would be impossible to top, but this may have done it.
Of interest in particular to reading and literature aficionados, but this is a brilliant slow-burn story for anyone searching for a riveting read, for an unforgettable character, for something different.
Blending real life writers (Gore Vidal - I’ve never read him but I do know the name) with those created for the book, this straddles several decades in the life of one author in particular from his youthful entry into the industry and the steps he takes along the way to fame and respect.
Erich Ackermann is instantly smitten with a fawning young man when they meet by chance at an author event. Taking him on as an assistant, showing him the inside of the industry, encouraging his writing, Erich even reveals a shameful past he’s never before spoken about. Maurice listens, learns, and uses his new knowledge to boost his own fledgling writing career, changing more than one life in the process.
Maurice is almost unbelievable. The book is split into several sections, each telling the story of the genesis of one of his published works. As Erich’s story closes, the import of what is to come is only just becoming apparent.
I’ve never come across a character quite like Maurice. The layers of his decisions, including through his history, are jaw-dropping as he does all he can to live up to his statement: “I was born to be a writer.” Just what has to happen for this to be the narrative is unbelievable.
There are surprises along the way, and those who’ve read Boyne before will be prepared for a rather emotional time as they follow Maurice through his life.
Quite stunning. A killer of an ending too. Boyne has given us a classic look into the world of literature as well as a modern classic character study and discussion piece.
With thanks to Netgalley for the advance reading copy.
laelyn's review against another edition
5.0
"Die Geschichte eines Lügners" ist ein weiterer faszinierender Roman von John Boyne. Dieses Mal erzählt er die Geschichte eines Schriftstellers, gespickt mit vielschichtigen Charakteren, mehreren Erzählperspektiven, amüsanter Kritik am Literaturzirkus und mehr als einem unerwarteten Moment, der mir den Atem geraubt hat.
Die Übersetzung ist hervorragend, der Schreibstil beeindruckend.
Das Buch ist gegliedert in aufeinanderfolgende Teile, die alle eher ruhig und unschuldig anfangen, aber mehr und mehr Spannung aufbauen und am Ende mit einem derartigen Knall enden, das man sofort weiterlesen muss. Maurice Swift ist ein faszinierender Charakter, der noch mehr Tiefe bekommt durch Boynes Entscheidung, seine Geschichte nicht nur aus der eigenen Perspektive erzählen zu lassen. Erst das letzte Drittel des Romans wendet sich Swifts Ich-Perspektive zu, zuvor lernt man ihn aus der Sicht anderer Charaktere kennen. Gerade dieser Mix aus Perspektiven - respektive geschrieben in der dritten Person, zweiten Person und ersten Person Singular - entfaltet ein Bild von Maurice, dem man sich nicht entziehen kann. Und das immer wieder schockiert. So wird "Die Geschichte eines Lügners" zu einer ruhigen, teils verstörenden Charakterstudie eines Mannes, der für den eigenen Erfolg wortwörtlich über Leichen geht. Ein Mann, den man absolut verabscheuen muss, dessen Geschichte man aber trotzdem immer weiterverfolgen will. Und der umgeben ist von nicht minder faszinierenden Charakteren, die seiner manipulativen Erfolgssucht ausgesetzt sind und zum Opfer fallen.
Insgesamt also ein großartiger Roman, der von Beginn an zu fesseln weiß und bis zur letzten Seite nicht mehr loslässt.
Die Übersetzung ist hervorragend, der Schreibstil beeindruckend.
Das Buch ist gegliedert in aufeinanderfolgende Teile, die alle eher ruhig und unschuldig anfangen, aber mehr und mehr Spannung aufbauen und am Ende mit einem derartigen Knall enden, das man sofort weiterlesen muss. Maurice Swift ist ein faszinierender Charakter, der noch mehr Tiefe bekommt durch Boynes Entscheidung, seine Geschichte nicht nur aus der eigenen Perspektive erzählen zu lassen. Erst das letzte Drittel des Romans wendet sich Swifts Ich-Perspektive zu, zuvor lernt man ihn aus der Sicht anderer Charaktere kennen. Gerade dieser Mix aus Perspektiven - respektive geschrieben in der dritten Person, zweiten Person und ersten Person Singular - entfaltet ein Bild von Maurice, dem man sich nicht entziehen kann. Und das immer wieder schockiert. So wird "Die Geschichte eines Lügners" zu einer ruhigen, teils verstörenden Charakterstudie eines Mannes, der für den eigenen Erfolg wortwörtlich über Leichen geht. Ein Mann, den man absolut verabscheuen muss, dessen Geschichte man aber trotzdem immer weiterverfolgen will. Und der umgeben ist von nicht minder faszinierenden Charakteren, die seiner manipulativen Erfolgssucht ausgesetzt sind und zum Opfer fallen.
Insgesamt also ein großartiger Roman, der von Beginn an zu fesseln weiß und bis zur letzten Seite nicht mehr loslässt.
eileenthecrow's review
3.0
i loved this, i read it in a day because i couldn't put it down...
however, it was a bit predictable, that's all i can say after predicting all of the supposed "plot-twists" in the story. the third part of the novel was the weakest of all so i'm giving it a 3.5/5.
however, it was a bit predictable, that's all i can say after predicting all of the supposed "plot-twists" in the story. the third part of the novel was the weakest of all so i'm giving it a 3.5/5.
jesslolsen's review
5.0
This book was amazing, even right to the last sentence.
Each character played a role and they did so brilliantly. Even the despicable characters (I’m looking at you Maurice) were so bad yet they were so good.
Definitely one of those books where I appreciate it even more after I finish it and think back to all the different parts.
Each character played a role and they did so brilliantly. Even the despicable characters (I’m looking at you Maurice) were so bad yet they were so good.
Definitely one of those books where I appreciate it even more after I finish it and think back to all the different parts.
emmaje01's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
pinkthinkydink's review
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
anovelobsession's review
5.0
Oh how I love John Boyne. I have read two of his earlier books - The Absolutist and The Heart's Invisible Furies and loved them both. I don’t often like books with characters I despise, but Mr. Boyne made me hate Maurice Swift and I couldn’t stop reading about him. Set in the literary world, Maurice is a wannabe writer without a story. He is ruthless and has no problem with acquiring the stories of others to claim as his own - his sole ambition to win “The Prize”. Maurice stops at nothing in his single minded pursuit of publishing books, going to unimaginable lengths. A dark, disturbing character study that I thoroughly enjoyed.
cahir's review
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75