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lindseysparks's review
1.0
I'm quite disappointed in my first NYRB subscription book. We are clearly supposed to find Schlump charming despite his attempted rapes. Since most women fall for him obviously those who don't are just trying to be chaste and it's okay if he just tries to rape them because they really want it. Ugh ugh ugh. It did get better once Schlump actually goes to war and there is some value in the descriptions of German ineptitude in the war, especially since we typically read about the efficiency of the Germans. But the horrors of war are covered much better in All Quiet on the Western Front and the writing in that book is much stronger. The afterward laments how the success of Quiet overshadowed Schlump but personally I think that was a good thing. I think part of the problem is that I've read quite a few books on WWI and books on both world wars from the German perspective and there was nothing new here. That's not the book's fault but it does make wonder what the NYRB saw in this that they felt made it worth not only reprinting but including in their subscription service. At least the artwork on the cover is nice and the paper/ink used smells lovely.
flysick's review
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
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