Scan barcode
kisnakap's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
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
5.0
1. Усправно читање:
Иако је врло очигледно да је књига ремек дело, баш ме је изморила. Много себи дозвољава и даје за право да копа и раскопава и врло је сурова исто онолико колико је лепа. У првом плану су били ликови овај пут, на страну приче што ме наводи на то да једно читање не може без другог и обратно. Изгубићемо причу или 100 ако једном прочитане реченице и речи не укрстимо. Мало ми је искрено пореметила слику о себи до те границе да сам заиста мислила да нисам способна за овакву врсту задатка, али ко уопште јесте?
2. Водоравно читање:
Ја више нисам иста особа, хвала.
shane_tiernan's review against another edition
1.0
Only made it about 20 pages into this.
If you like reading, just to read words on a page, then I would suggest this book. I mean it does have some value, if you like words these are some pretty neat words and phrases and sentences you probably have never heard before. Each line seems to be mystery, or maybe every other line. You read it and then think, "I wonder what that means?" or "Wow, that is a very strange thing to say." It almost seems like some kind of Buddhist exercise. You could read this book for months, analyzing each line and maybe coming up with a couple of theories about what it means and then move on to the next line. It's a different kind of reading experience.
Basically, when I was in college in the early 90's I went through a post modern phase and this book was on a list of post modern books, so I picked it up. It's been sitting on my shelf for more than 20 years and I finally picked it up.
If you like reading, just to read words on a page, then I would suggest this book. I mean it does have some value, if you like words these are some pretty neat words and phrases and sentences you probably have never heard before. Each line seems to be mystery, or maybe every other line. You read it and then think, "I wonder what that means?" or "Wow, that is a very strange thing to say." It almost seems like some kind of Buddhist exercise. You could read this book for months, analyzing each line and maybe coming up with a couple of theories about what it means and then move on to the next line. It's a different kind of reading experience.
Basically, when I was in college in the early 90's I went through a post modern phase and this book was on a list of post modern books, so I picked it up. It's been sitting on my shelf for more than 20 years and I finally picked it up.
kurtwombat's review against another edition
4.0
At once a puzzle, mystery, history, memoir, and fantasy. Multiple puzzles in fact. There are actually crossword puzzles built into the format of the book. There is also the out of order chapters to make sense of—working the way memories often do, random and disjointed—which can be read in different orders (up & down). And the central mystery, when you boil down a life or boil down the history of a place—what does it all mean. The author lets you know there is kind of a sliding scale of participation. It’s okay to forgo the crosswords and any attempt to put the story in linear order—it’s okay to just let it wash over you. . It’s not a real memoir and not a real history but that doesn’t matter. The main character is an architect near the end of his days, the book laid out like fragments of plans that show his life. There were times where I was lost or dumfounded but much of the time was sheer fascination moving through a world almost entirely new to me—Serbian history and religion are not my strong suits. History personal and global touched with magical realism is in my wheelhouse. Begs to be re-read which I rarely do (always want that next book). But I have read Sadegh Hedayat's THE BLIND OWL three times to get a handle on that. So maybe….I’ll revisit this Landscape. There were times when I thought two of my favorite authors were mashed up in this book--Vonnegut & Pynchon (who couldn’t be more different). A very good thing. I bought this at a library book sale knowing only that I liked the title and loved the cover. Sometimes there are forces at work who’s machinations have yet to reveal themselves.
kdabbler's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Pavic’s prose is truly poetic. This is by far a challenging read which would probably been more enjoyable if read in a classroom setting.
k8iedid's review against another edition
What did I just read?!
This story is so broad and deep that it deserves another read (which I will likely never do). I'll admit that I didn't understand Pavic's creative direction for the book to be read in alternating chapters, following crossword format, so I was a bit confused once I started part 2. A shame (and my fault) b/c the writing and story are so beautiful.
What a lucky find in the English section of the local book swap.
This story is so broad and deep that it deserves another read (which I will likely never do). I'll admit that I didn't understand Pavic's creative direction for the book to be read in alternating chapters, following crossword format, so I was a bit confused once I started part 2. A shame (and my fault) b/c the writing and story are so beautiful.
What a lucky find in the English section of the local book swap.
kouklad's review against another edition
4.0
Bizarre, but beautifully poetic. Loved the first half. The second half took a turn for the weird, but it made sense at the end.
Update: this book has stuck with me and I often think of the meaning of the monastics and the community/individual dynamic.
Update: this book has stuck with me and I often think of the meaning of the monastics and the community/individual dynamic.
laura_kentera's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sashas_books's review against another edition
5.0
Milorad Pavić was a masterful weaver of stories. This novel is a surreal patchwork of allusions, history, religion, conflicts between generations, magical realism... Diving into any of his books is a literary adventure unlike any other.
ipacho's review against another edition
5.0
After reading the Dictionary of the Khazars and the beginning of the book, you can think that they move at the same rythm and nothing much could be expected in terms of novelty.
Nothing could be more far from the truth.
Suddenly, Mr. Pavic turns the world down and across making a novel like a crossword puzzle. It breaks the fourth wall in the most unexpected ways. He keeps the level of fantasy high while developing a very intimate and human narrative. History and fiction are interwoven in oniric language.
And the end... One of the best I've read ever.
6/5. Mindblowing.
Nothing could be more far from the truth.
Suddenly, Mr. Pavic turns the world down and across making a novel like a crossword puzzle. It breaks the fourth wall in the most unexpected ways. He keeps the level of fantasy high while developing a very intimate and human narrative. History and fiction are interwoven in oniric language.
And the end... One of the best I've read ever.
6/5. Mindblowing.
scarlettletters's review against another edition
3.0
I heard about this book from an article about the 10 worst indexes (it was for school but don't think it wasn't fascinating). It had some interesting things going on pertaining to the nature of the relationship between book and reader and was in some ways a concept novel; my problem is that either I didn't get it or it just wasn't executed well. There were times when I thought the book was doing some really interesting things and times when I had absolutely no idea what was going on. It was a hard book to get into and took more work than most things I would choose to read for fun. Part of me wanted to read the second half of the book, the more conceptual part, again, but I really don't think I can put in the time when there are other things I would enjoy more.
More...