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kirareads02's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
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? Yes
1.25
elvendork's review against another edition
3.0
As always, Barnes writes beautifully, but it is my lack of interest in (and sympathy for) white male tears that gave this book 3 stars.
k_gregz's review against another edition
4.0
This book was really funny and very dark with a disturbing ending. That is all I have to say about it.
bookshelfsessions's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
ameliasbooks's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
This was I re-read for me and the first time I read it was before goodreads, but I might have given it three stars and my tendency now is towards four stars.
It is Julian Barnes second published novel, but you can already find the main themes of his work in there: memory, human emotions, time.
It is a very dark story and I certainly understand why it isn't for everybody. But I found that Barnes did a very good job in only describing and never defending any human behaviour that goes totally wrong. You could maybe argue that he as a male author taking sides for his male protagonists or is even asking for understanding, because as a human you can't defend yourself against your feelings. But in my opinion he does quite the opposite, but in a really felicitious way, not in black in white and steamroller tactics.
You can already see what kind of author Julian Barnes will be later on, but because I know of the quality of his later works, my ranking is a bit lower here.
This was I re-read for me and the first time I read it was before goodreads, but I might have given it three stars and my tendency now is towards four stars.
It is Julian Barnes second published novel, but you can already find the main themes of his work in there: memory, human emotions, time.
It is a very dark story and I certainly understand why it isn't for everybody. But I found that Barnes did a very good job in only describing and never defending any human behaviour that goes totally wrong. You could maybe argue that he as a male author taking sides for his male protagonists or is even asking for understanding, because as a human you can't defend yourself against your feelings. But in my opinion he does quite the opposite, but in a really felicitious way, not in black in white and steamroller tactics.
You can already see what kind of author Julian Barnes will be later on, but because I know of the quality of his later works, my ranking is a bit lower here.
maria_pasinetti's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The idea was really good, but I expected a bit more philosophical and psychological insight of the characters, insted very often situations are described very thoroughly but they essentialy lead nowhere in the means of understanding their complexity. Instead the book is often repetitive and rarely brings spot on descriptions of interesting points of view. Overall a nice book but i expected better from Julian Barnes.
priscilla's review against another edition
2.0
Meh. The story was okay, and the end was a major plottwist I didn't see coming for some reason, but there is just no link at all between me and the characters. I wasn't pulled into the story, I just didn't feel it.
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