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greggles_93's review
5.0
Beautifully written, and the depth of emotion and feeling was breathtaking. This is my first Levy, and there will definitely be many more.
roxy_boettcher's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
alliereads_'s review
challenging
emotional
mysterious
4.5
Deborah Levy continues to astonish me with her literary prowess. What at first seems like a fairly simple plot devolves into a series of unfolding revelations for both the protagonist, Saul, and the reader. Levy knows just how much to give and just how much to withhold, allowing the reader to fall into the story and uncover its mysteries and warped memories alongside Saul. Saul is both unreliable and unlikable, yet so deeply relatable, which is what keeps The Man Who Saw Everything so engaging. Levy has long been solidified as one of my favorite authors, and I can only add this novel to the list of evidence.
ljutavidra's review
4.0
Iako ima samo 200 strana, prilično me je namučila.
Debra mi polako postaje jedna od dražih autorki, a ono što me najviše fascinira kod nje je što piše nekako navrat-nanos, ali sve na kraju poprimi smisao. Samo što morate imati dovoljno strpljenja da se izborite sa njenim stilom i mislima koje lete na sve strane.
Postoji radnja, ali je besmisleno da išta pričam jer na kraju krajeva ta radnja nije ni bitna već emocije koje probudi pritom. Podseća me veoma na Ali Smit, ali na njenu koherentniju drugaricu. Pa ako volite Ali, pružite priliku i Debri.
Debra mi polako postaje jedna od dražih autorki, a ono što me najviše fascinira kod nje je što piše nekako navrat-nanos, ali sve na kraju poprimi smisao. Samo što morate imati dovoljno strpljenja da se izborite sa njenim stilom i mislima koje lete na sve strane.
Postoji radnja, ali je besmisleno da išta pričam jer na kraju krajeva ta radnja nije ni bitna već emocije koje probudi pritom. Podseća me veoma na Ali Smit, ali na njenu koherentniju drugaricu. Pa ako volite Ali, pružite priliku i Debri.
lupuscoopus's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
djr100's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
This started out in a very straightforward manner and was very enjoyable. But, the second half took a very unusual turn and became somewhat confusing. I found myself stopping and wondering where I had made a wrong turn. Turns out Ms. Levy has a message(s) to deliver in a unique way. I found the writing to be so strong that I had no trouble maintaining my interest in this relatively short novel. It left me thinking and pondering the confusing story line and the messages it was meant to convey. If you like clean plots, you won't like this one. I would have liked a bit more clarity in spots but overall thought this was quite good.
This started out in a very straightforward manner and was very enjoyable. But, the second half took a very unusual turn and became somewhat confusing. I found myself stopping and wondering where I had made a wrong turn. Turns out Ms. Levy has a message(s) to deliver in a unique way. I found the writing to be so strong that I had no trouble maintaining my interest in this relatively short novel. It left me thinking and pondering the confusing story line and the messages it was meant to convey. If you like clean plots, you won't like this one. I would have liked a bit more clarity in spots but overall thought this was quite good.
smtvash's review
4.0
About 200 pages long but with the density of a book double its size.
Deborah Levy's novel flows through memory and the personality weaving together a story trapped in the strings of history, trauma, and emotions and how often the three collide and mesh into one another.
The Man Who Saw Everything doesn't make any compromises. You're either along for the ride, or you'll be left stranded on Abby Road.
Deborah Levy's novel flows through memory and the personality weaving together a story trapped in the strings of history, trauma, and emotions and how often the three collide and mesh into one another.
The Man Who Saw Everything doesn't make any compromises. You're either along for the ride, or you'll be left stranded on Abby Road.
novelvisits's review
4.0
The Man Who Saw Everything begins in September 1988 on Abbey Road in London, where Saul Alder is hit by a car while preparing have a photo taken of himself crossing the zebra crossing as a tribute to the famous Beatles album. From there the story began to flow in and out of being clear to me. Saul traveled to East Germany to do some work on his Phd., and while there seemed to be aware of detailed circumstances of the Berlin wall falling three years later. Time and again, I was confused by time frames that weren’t adding up. While this was a bit off-putting, I continued to be curious enough to read further. Saul himself was a very compelling character. Finally, just before the halfway mark, an event occurred that made everything else clear. From then on, I more easily pieced together Saul Alder’s life and very much appreciated the creative storytelling delivered by Deborah Levy. The novel itself was quite literary and I don’t think it will work for everyone, but in the end, I was very glad I read it.