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jjbt's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
monazaneefer's review against another edition
3.0
Format: Audible (narrator was fantastic + I need to find out who the translator is.)
The story in of itself wasn’t all that amazing. It was alright. I think it would have been strong had there been some undertones of mystery. Instead, we know exactly what the “twist” is (although, considering we’re mean to know the twist, is it really a twist?). So this story really isn’t plot-centred, nor is it even character-driven. It’s simply trying to encapsulate an aspect of life. Nothing groundbreaking.
But the writing makes up for it. So beautiful. And I think the beauty comes from the fact that the writing style, language weren't at all exaggerated, self-conscious or dense, but rather effortless. It’s like this novella was dipped in berry juice, and came out with no stains and instead only bore the permeating yet non-overpowering scent whose source you’ll never be able to pinpoint.
It wasn’t even the descriptions but something about the author’s diction made the story extremely atmospheric. That and a few minor scenes amidst its setting. Wouldn’t it have been a great story had it been haunting? Alas, we can not have it all.
Generally, there are stories I read which make me want to study and acquire the skill of certain elements. For eg, with George Elliot, it’s her masterful characterisation. With this novella, it’s the writing style.
The story in of itself wasn’t all that amazing. It was alright. I think it would have been strong had there been some undertones of mystery. Instead, we know exactly what the “twist” is (although, considering we’re mean to know the twist, is it really a twist?). So this story really isn’t plot-centred, nor is it even character-driven. It’s simply trying to encapsulate an aspect of life. Nothing groundbreaking.
But the writing makes up for it. So beautiful. And I think the beauty comes from the fact that the writing style, language weren't at all exaggerated, self-conscious or dense, but rather effortless. It’s like this novella was dipped in berry juice, and came out with no stains and instead only bore the permeating yet non-overpowering scent whose source you’ll never be able to pinpoint.
It wasn’t even the descriptions but something about the author’s diction made the story extremely atmospheric. That and a few minor scenes amidst its setting. Wouldn’t it have been a great story had it been haunting? Alas, we can not have it all.
Generally, there are stories I read which make me want to study and acquire the skill of certain elements. For eg, with George Elliot, it’s her masterful characterisation. With this novella, it’s the writing style.
lizardking_no1's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
bungadinding's review against another edition
2.0
Dua bintang untuk terjemahannya yang bergaya lawas dan sering membingungkan (dan menyesatkan?)
gracie14's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
leajyshi's review against another edition
3.0
3.5?? I just think if I did not have White Nights to constantly compare this to I would have been more impressed. buuuut no one does it like Fyodor. So that's that.
rileylovesbooks's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ana_poulsen's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
taya_bel's review against another edition
4.0
Great story and great writing, but fell short at the end. I would have liked a bit more sentences to wrap up the ending perhaps.
This is my third book that I’ve read by a Russian author, and this one was my most enjoyed. Perhaps because it had romance in it. (Notes from the underground and Kreutzer Sonata were the other two that I had read.) I’ve found it difficult to fully enjoy Russian authors so far because they are very existential in their writing of emotions. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel! It encapsulated one’s first love as something both lovely yet full of despair.
Note for myself: I read this book without any audiobooks
This is my third book that I’ve read by a Russian author, and this one was my most enjoyed. Perhaps because it had romance in it. (Notes from the underground and Kreutzer Sonata were the other two that I had read.) I’ve found it difficult to fully enjoy Russian authors so far because they are very existential in their writing of emotions. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel! It encapsulated one’s first love as something both lovely yet full of despair.
Note for myself: I read this book without any audiobooks