Reviews

Cassandra by Christa Wolf

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chrismologos's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-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

4.5

This was a re-read of the "novel", for me, but my first time reading the complementary essays.
I really enjoyed the novel -- I think it is a wonderful evocation of the character's introspection. Though the tight narrative focus means she really takes no prisoners in terms of the wider story, so I wouldn't recommend it for those less familiar with the bones of the Iliad...
The essays: I found it harder to get into them, particularly the first two "travel reports". The "work diaries", however, really pulled together a lot of the thoughts behind Wolf's writings, and the context of East German politics.

altheandherwonderland's review against another edition

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emotional tense medium-paced

5.0

missbookiverse's review against another edition

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3.0

[3.5 Sterne]

Am Anfang fand ich's noch schwierig mich in den verworrenen Schreibstil (überlange Sätze, nachgestellte Subjekte, endloser Bewusstseinsstrom ohne eine einzige Pause) einzufinden, aber nach einem Drittel war ich drin und konnte auch die Schönheit und Hypnosewirkung der Worte genießen. Ohne Vorwissen über den Trojanischen Krieg und seine Akteur:innen wäre ich allerdings hoffnungslos verloren gewesen. Die Zeitebenen gehen durcheinander (passend zu Kassandras hellseherischer Gabe), ständig tauchen neue Namen auf, gern ohne Erklärung, und die Ereignisse werden meist mehr subtil als klar geschildert. Trotzdem kann ich am Ende würdigen, was Wolf hier abgeliefert hat, nämlich den Krieg um Troja aus Perspektive der Frauen, inklusive ihres Zusammenhalts und ihrer Sorgen (Väter/Männer/Brüder verlieren, Vergewaltigung, Machtlosigkeit), so wie es heutzutage auch in Büchern wie [b:A Thousand Ships|53487148|A Thousand Ships|Natalie Haynes|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1597694359l/53487148._SY75_.jpg|66289299] wieder aufgerollt wird.

megancherry's review against another edition

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dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

palindromers's review against another edition

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dark emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes

4.0

ecetufan's review against another edition

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4.0

she is me. i am her.
the writing was a bit difficult to get used to at the start, but once i got the hang of it it was actually a very fun read.
BUT PLEASE. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD USE CHAPTERS.
i love how the author didnt write cassandra as a character whos completely out of her mind (which most people do) i cant decide if i love or hate the way the visions were written tho.
It also confused me how Briseis was the daughter of Kalkhas ??? maybe bc i read the silence of the girls before this but i never thought briseis would be . actually related to kalkhas.
sorry rhis review is a mess currwntly writint this in my dorms kitchen at 1 am trying to gather my thoughts
ok more abt the visions. it also confused me how cassandra had no clue on anythinf yhay was happening before they were happenijg like. thats her whole deal idk how she was so clueless but still. AND

NO HELEN ????? like i was NOT expecting that out of this book but still it was very interestint

OK I LOVE THIS BOOK AND I THINK IT ACTUALLY ALTERED MY BRAIN I LOVE CASSANDRA BYE