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pilgrimbookstore89's review against another edition
challenging
lighthearted
medium-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? It's complicated
3.5
scarlettletters's review against another edition
3.0
This is the first book in my attempt at reading more diversely this year. I think the author won the Nobel Prize earlier in the 20th century. The most interesting thing about the stories was how different the setting was, and how many different cultural assumptions were present. They really did take place in a completely different world.
My favorite story was probably the first on in the collection; it had a creepy, almost Lovecraftian vibe to it. Most of the stories ended on pretty bleak notes. I mean, the "happiest" one still had someone die at the end, it's just that his death led to closure (and continued poverty) for one of the other characters.
So anyway, this is way outside my reading comfort zone and I'm glad I read it, but I would not describe it as "my thing."
My favorite story was probably the first on in the collection; it had a creepy, almost Lovecraftian vibe to it. Most of the stories ended on pretty bleak notes. I mean, the "happiest" one still had someone die at the end, it's just that his death led to closure (and continued poverty) for one of the other characters.
So anyway, this is way outside my reading comfort zone and I'm glad I read it, but I would not describe it as "my thing."
shanepunk's review against another edition
4.0
I am very impressed by this man's way of thinking and writing. I recommend to read the entire introduction as well before sinking into the stories because it can really richen your reading experience. For me, it was the first motivating factor to read all of the stories collected in this volume. Tagore with great artistry shows the pretentious behaviours that so often occur in his areas to those days and without straightly putting into words his criticism, he shows how painful and stupid are those actions. It seems quite unbelievable that around 1890s someone could write like that. No wonder that he has won a Nobel Prize on Literature in 1913 being the first Indian and first Asian to ever receive this award. A pacifist, highly educated and also very talented. I am looking forward to continue exploring him in the future. Maybe even one day in original version, it would most likely be a blessing.
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