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regans's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
4.5
purplepierogi's review
5.0
wow. so good. Grynberg's monologue-eque short stories give glimpses at hidden family histories, lingering resentments, realities of "the Jewish experience" in contemporary Poland, particularly post-Holocaust generations. the stories keep a great clip and evoke the perfect dark-funny tone, I couldn't stop reading. I was also interested to read at the end that the author is known for his non-fiction work presenting oral histories of the children of Holocaust survivors ([b:Oskarżam Auschwitz. Opowieści rodzinne|23256687|Oskarżam Auschwitz. Opowieści rodzinne|Mikołaj Grynberg|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1411315292l/23256687._SY75_.jpg|42798107]). Ethnographic work isn't necessary for writing good fiction, of course, but does lend some at least imagined authenticity; and these monologues really did feel real, or at least conceivable, even with their quick and winky quality. I really enjoyed this collection, it does feel like a relevant nod to ongoing antisemitism in post-war / contemporary Poland, in a period neglected in English-language lit. would definitely recommend.
bookreadgirl21's review
4.0
One of the first storys is about a guy who walks his dog and helps tourists. He also finds bones of dead jews on construction sites and steals them to burry them in the jewish cemetary.
That one really stuck with me. Not because of the guilt and sadness the man was feeling, but because of how bad his dog must be feeling :(
That one really stuck with me. Not because of the guilt and sadness the man was feeling, but because of how bad his dog must be feeling :(
sellsbooksformoney's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
bookreadgirl22's review
4.0
One of the first storys is about a guy who walks his dog and helps tourists. He also finds bones of dead jews on construction sites and steals them to burry them in the jewish cemetary.
That one really stuck with me. Not because of the guilt and sadness the man was feeling, but because of how bad his dog must be feeling :(
That one really stuck with me. Not because of the guilt and sadness the man was feeling, but because of how bad his dog must be feeling :(
lilyherling's review
3.0
*3.5 stars
a little beauty from the translator‘s note: “A photograph does not obscure its subject. Instead, it shows us something we might never have seen with our own eyes.”
a little beauty from the translator‘s note: “A photograph does not obscure its subject. Instead, it shows us something we might never have seen with our own eyes.”
zellm's review
4.0
Interesting and heartbreaking. New perspectives that I hadn't thought of or learned about before. Definitely worth a read!
reader1657's review
5.0
This is one that will stick with me for a while. Admittedly I picked it because of the title not realizing what it was about. This was incredible and poetic and sad and haunting.
Favorites: Imaginary Friends and Horizon.
Favorites: Imaginary Friends and Horizon.
newintroductionbysusan's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0