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dave37's review against another edition
I've enjoyed some of Petterson's other books, but this one is just way too depressing and boring. The few moments of light aren't enough for me to push through the last third of the book.
elizaeliza's review
2.0
Even though I got it for free (from my library) I feel a little ripped off by this book. I put the time and effort into reading it and what did it give me? Very little.
If I was to write a one word review it would be this: Cold. Cold place, cold characters, cold prose - why can the briefly appearing love interest have a name, for instance? Meh, anyway, obviously not the book for me.
If I was to write a one word review it would be this: Cold. Cold place, cold characters, cold prose - why can the briefly appearing love interest have a name, for instance? Meh, anyway, obviously not the book for me.
corrompido's review against another edition
3.0
Solid book, very similar stylistically to his much better book Out Stealing Horses. The setup of having a childhood story told by the protagonist much later in life is here, as is the interesting writing style that draws me in. Overall not much happens in the book, but it was still a light enjoyable read.
shumska's review against another edition
5.0
znalački ispričana priča mirnog i stabilnog tempa kojoj je u središtu nježan odnos brata i sestre (60godišnja žena prisjeća se svog djetinjstva i odrastanja - period cca 1930.-1950.).
što god sam čitala od skandinavske literature, oduševilo me. iako ne volim generalizirati, sve te knjige prožima spori i odmjereni tempo, ozbiljnost, mirnoća i suptilno iskazivanje emocija. nema drama ni histerije. finoća, da.... ova knjiga je finoća.
što god sam čitala od skandinavske literature, oduševilo me. iako ne volim generalizirati, sve te knjige prožima spori i odmjereni tempo, ozbiljnost, mirnoća i suptilno iskazivanje emocija. nema drama ni histerije. finoća, da.... ova knjiga je finoća.
katehtreads's review against another edition
3.0
It was written like it was meant to be a masterpiece, and I loved reading a Danish perspective of World War II. However, the book was lacking--hollow and empty and utterly forgettable.
skonyo's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 - its one of these books that i am not sure how to rate.
on one hand i love per Pettersons writing ( this is his second book i read - the first was out stealing horses ) on the other it felt like the narrative of the story got lost and kept jumping . It felt like BIG plots were just pass by it (Lona, grandfather , parents ,WWII etc).
I am all for journey and not reaching a point but something was lost by me here.
on one hand i love per Pettersons writing ( this is his second book i read - the first was out stealing horses ) on the other it felt like the narrative of the story got lost and kept jumping . It felt like BIG plots were just pass by it (Lona, grandfather , parents ,WWII etc).
I am all for journey and not reaching a point but something was lost by me here.
rdebner's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't like this as well as [book:Out Stealing Horses], but it was an interesting read. It made it clear that he has a distinct style and rhythm to his writing that is refreshingly different from a lot of contemporary fiction.
trineeg's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
jdscott50's review
4.0
I was excited to finally read this after finishing Out Stealing Horses. Per Petterson's writing style is melancholy and sparce, it often reminds me of Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson.
Even though I enjoyed To Siberia, it seemed to follow the same formula of Out Stealing Horses. The story is told as a reminiscence. The main character is very close with a family member and the entrance of World War II permanently separates the two not by death, but by choice.
I connected more to Horses because of the father/son relationship. The longing to go back to a moment of time before everything changed. In Horses, it was the father leaving during the war and then never returning. In this story, the main character Sistermine loves the cold and has the fondest memories with her brother. The cold, the snow, and the ice represents a pure youth that she longs to return. After things changed, she longs for Siberia so that she can return to that feeling. It also contrasts with Jesper's desire to move forward, to a life of adventure in the hot desert of Morocco. I loved this contrast in the story.
The middle part of the story focuses more on Sistermine's relationship with her brother Jesper. The parents are neglectful and the siblings spend a lot of time around each other, to the point where some in the town gossip. Some of the scenes reminded me of the Cement Garden.
The story is beautifully told and would be a great for book discussions. It delves into landscapes as characters, sibling relationships, innocence and World War II in Northern Europe.
The last part ends tragically and I'm haunted by one of the last lines. At 22, I have nothing left to live for.
Even though I enjoyed To Siberia, it seemed to follow the same formula of Out Stealing Horses. The story is told as a reminiscence. The main character is very close with a family member and the entrance of World War II permanently separates the two not by death, but by choice.
I connected more to Horses because of the father/son relationship. The longing to go back to a moment of time before everything changed. In Horses, it was the father leaving during the war and then never returning. In this story, the main character Sistermine loves the cold and has the fondest memories with her brother. The cold, the snow, and the ice represents a pure youth that she longs to return. After things changed, she longs for Siberia so that she can return to that feeling. It also contrasts with Jesper's desire to move forward, to a life of adventure in the hot desert of Morocco. I loved this contrast in the story.
The middle part of the story focuses more on Sistermine's relationship with her brother Jesper. The parents are neglectful and the siblings spend a lot of time around each other, to the point where some in the town gossip. Some of the scenes reminded me of the Cement Garden.
The story is beautifully told and would be a great for book discussions. It delves into landscapes as characters, sibling relationships, innocence and World War II in Northern Europe.
The last part ends tragically and I'm haunted by one of the last lines. At 22, I have nothing left to live for.