Reviews

The Eternal Philistine: An Edifying Novel in Three Parts by Ödön von Horváth

joleen__rei's review against another edition

informative lighthearted tense 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

2.0

ueberghost_'s review against another edition

informative reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

nadiii's review against another edition

Kein relevanter Plot? Keine Charakterentwicklung? 

fossen's review

4.0

Reading this as research, I really did not expect to fall in love with it as much as I did. It's quirky and bold, and Horváth just nails the intersection of economics, politics, and sex. It's a funny, ribald shaggy dog story that ends with just a glimmer of hope.

angelinakahlo's review against another edition

2.0

Mein erstes Werk von Horváth hat mich leider ziemlich enttäuscht. Der Protagonist des ersten Teils ist unglaublich unemphatisch, man kann sich nicht in ihn hineinversetzten und im Allgemeinen war die Handlung unglaublich trostlos.
Ich hoffe, dass mir "Jugend ohne Gott" mehr zusagen wird...
Außerdem finde ich die Darstellung der weiblichen Charaktere grauenhaft...

hufflo's review against another edition

challenging funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

conee's review

fast-paced

4.0

greeniezona's review

4.0

Okay, I will admit it. I was very likely influenced to order this book instead of any other from the Neversink collection because there was a forward written by Shalom Auslander, author of the wickedly awesome collection of short stories, Beware of God. Once I'd read that introduction, I have to say, that if I had picked this book up in a shop somewhere, and skimmed through or read that introduction, I would have been compelled to buy this book immediately, at nearly any cost, no matter the state of my bank account. As it was, I spent days trying to explain, to anyone who would listen, how witty and pointed this introduction was.

It wouldn't be easy to live up to a build-up like that.

The book did its best, but it was hindered by my near-complete lack of comprehension of the historical context of the stories. (The book is in three parts, which are definitely connected, but kind of separate.) An appreciation of this book doesn't require a familiarity with the political and economic conditions of Europe between the two world wars, but I couldn't help feeling it would be greatly improved by such knowledge. Particularly during Kobler's train voyage -- the attitudes that various strangers from different regions and countries took toward one another, not to mention remarks on cities and geographical features they passed through or by -- I felt repeatedly frustrated that I just had no context to place these in.

Despite all my lack of prior knowledge, The Eternal Philistine still managed to convey a great deal about its time and place, but even more about the universal state of people caught up in societal forces beyond their control. Some seek for, and some find, a way to thrive in their changing times. Others die by inches. There is an excellent quote near the end of this book, which could sum up most of it:

"If all the shitheads went and helped each other out, then every shithead would be better off."

Yes, this book is bitter, and dark. But what makes it bearable is not the comedy, but what makes any horror in life more bearable -- a little bit of human solidarity.