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risagross's review against another edition
3.0
Though [author: Nicole Kraus]'s newer book, [book: The History of Love], has received much more attention than did the first, I actually preferred the latter. It is a moving tale of a man who wakes up in a hospital out west to find he has absolutely no recollection of who he is. Turns out, he was a happily married man from New York City, but stripped of his identity, he goes on to forage for a new personality.
taurustorus's review
emotional
informative
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
curiousnoel's review
3.0
Excellently crafted prose which sparked a plethora of questions for myself about the connections between memory and identity.
beccajdb's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Both succinctly and interestingly written - a clever balance. A sort of soft thriller with a sub-plot of what it means to be here, now and before. And that’s the sub-plot?!
pbobrit's review
4.0
A very interesting premise. I man is found in the desert with no memories past the age of 12 but after hospitalization he has the ability to make more. To complicate matters he has a wife but has no recollection of their relationship. How does he cope with this, what possibilities does this open up for him. How does this effect those around him. Added on to this Krauss adds in interesting subplot about what it might be possible to do with a 'blank canvas' of a mind. The author puts together a very interesting novel, that starts out slowly but quickly picks up place to a satisfying ending. Well written with believable characters, a little sad but worth the read.
stevenoreads's review
3.0
Loving The History of Love and Great House, I had high hopes for this one. At the start, I absolutely adored it. Midway through the book, though, it started meandering and ended up something of a mess. a lot of good in there, but Krauss has clearly refined her talent as time passed.
browdya's review
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
this is the 2nd krauss book i’ve read because someone recommended i read her work since i love jonathan safran foer(her ex-husband)‘s books. it is the 2nd krauss book that has WILDLY underwhelmed me - a history of love is objectively better and tonally closer to foer, but lacks the heart/depth/profundity of his (first 2) novels. this book had such a great premise, such a bad execution, and left me feeling like jonathan definitely was the one with the writing chops.
tayyy_mayyy's review
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
cmdatt's review against another edition
3.0
Not as good as History of Love, but still an interesting and enjoyable read.
pia_uhlenberg's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5