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el_rizos_lector's review against another edition
3.5
Qué frustrante es, en ocasiones, sentir que no logramos extraer todo lo que podríamos de una obra, y con este libro me ha pasado justo eso. Que su escasa longitud no los engañe, nos encontramos en presencia de una obra con muchas capas y que expresa de manera muy delicado varias y valiosas ideas.
Escrito en una hermosa prosa, el libro nos narra la historia de un escritor que parece tenerlo todo (o casi), pero aún así se siente incompleto. Un viaje a Venecia será su forma de ahondar en esa sensación, para tratar de entender su origen, o directamente erradicarla. En cambio, lo que encontrará en esta tierra de canales y góndolas será muy diferente a lo que pudo esperar.
Entre las temas principales de la obra podemos encontrar: la belleza (en toda la extensión y aplicación del concepto), el arte y de dónde viene la inspiración del artista, la atención a los pequeños detalles y placeres de la vida, entre otros que escapan a mi comprensión. El texto es profundamente reflexivo y con toda probabilidad metafórico, transmitiéndonos una parte del alma de su autor en cada palabra.
Si luego de decir todo esto se extrañan de mi valoración, debo serles honesto. Ni la trama ni los personajes de la obra lograron atraparme y, aunque disfruté enormemente de la prosa y el estilo de Mann y sus reflexiones, en ocasiones se me hicieron densas e incluso (con toda humildad admito) incomprensibles. Aún así, creo que la responsabilidad es más propia que de su autor o el libro mismo, por lo que igualmente lo recomiendo.
Escrito en una hermosa prosa, el libro nos narra la historia de un escritor que parece tenerlo todo (o casi), pero aún así se siente incompleto. Un viaje a Venecia será su forma de ahondar en esa sensación, para tratar de entender su origen, o directamente erradicarla. En cambio, lo que encontrará en esta tierra de canales y góndolas será muy diferente a lo que pudo esperar.
Entre las temas principales de la obra podemos encontrar: la belleza (en toda la extensión y aplicación del concepto), el arte y de dónde viene la inspiración del artista, la atención a los pequeños detalles y placeres de la vida, entre otros que escapan a mi comprensión. El texto es profundamente reflexivo y con toda probabilidad metafórico, transmitiéndonos una parte del alma de su autor en cada palabra.
Si luego de decir todo esto se extrañan de mi valoración, debo serles honesto. Ni la trama ni los personajes de la obra lograron atraparme y, aunque disfruté enormemente de la prosa y el estilo de Mann y sus reflexiones, en ocasiones se me hicieron densas e incluso (con toda humildad admito) incomprensibles. Aún así, creo que la responsabilidad es más propia que de su autor o el libro mismo, por lo que igualmente lo recomiendo.
twentycen's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
vici_loves's review against another edition
dark
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
3.0
After having loved Mann’s novel Buddenbrooks, I thought this novella might be a good jumping off point to get back into (German) classics. Unfortunately, it did not fully click for me. There certainly were sentences and metaphors which blew my mind, but most of the text felt like treading through quicksand, putting me to sleep.
elak's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
josemclr's review against another edition
3.0
Hm, pues la prosa está bonita y la reflexión de cómo el poeta es atraído al caos es interesante, pero las descripciones de lugares me perdieron por completo. Incluso las sufrí. Y, por supuesto, la trama... he leído cosas peores, la verdad. Esto estuvo bastante vainilla. Mas no lo hace sentir menos mal. No me importa si eran otros tiempos.
lesemaus2303's review against another edition
dark
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic
min_grachi's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
0.25
tessagoth's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
4.75
Death in Venice is darkly haunting and absolutely overflowing with symbolism. I'm not smart enough to know what it all means, but I still found myself entranced by it. Every bit of the story was dripping with meaning. I wish I could take a seminar on it to clear up some things. Definitely recommend. Read it, then call me so we can talk about it.
writtenbypoets's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-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
2.75
So. It's complicated.
In the first half of the book, I was mesmerized by the poetic writing style and descriptions. I can only speak for the German version and its writing. I loved to see Aschenbach come to terms with his struggle and finally realize that he needed a change. I was convinced that it would be a 5-star read.
Then the pedophilia entered the subtext, at first very subtly, but quickly added very clearly into dialogue and the plot. His obsession with the 14-year-old little Polish boy took me aback. It pulled me completely out of the story and I couldn't ignore it or just observe it from afar.
Aschenbach's behavior gets criticized by the story through the boy's family trying to keep him away from Aschenbach. But still.
Maybe I'm just very sensitive when it comes to pedophilia.
If you like poetic writing and can read about the themes listed above I would recommend it. It just wasn't for me in that regard.
In the first half of the book, I was mesmerized by the poetic writing style and descriptions. I can only speak for the German version and its writing. I loved to see Aschenbach come to terms with his struggle and finally realize that he needed a change. I was convinced that it would be a 5-star read.
Then the pedophilia entered the subtext, at first very subtly, but quickly added very clearly into dialogue and the plot. His obsession with the 14-year-old little Polish boy took me aback. It pulled me completely out of the story and I couldn't ignore it or just observe it from afar.
Aschenbach's behavior gets criticized by the story through the boy's family trying to keep him away from Aschenbach. But still.
Maybe I'm just very sensitive when it comes to pedophilia.
If you like poetic writing and can read about the themes listed above I would recommend it. It just wasn't for me in that regard.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia and Terminal illness
mrxqii's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5