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suebrownreads's review against another edition
3.0
I listened to this book on Audible. I liked the reader. It is an interesting and unusual story. It was very intriguing and holds your attention, but it doesn't really go anywhere special and there is nothing redeeming. You want to care about the characters or at least the main character, but you can't. He is not very admirable. I do like the setting and the characters, although seemingly dull and uninteresting are very believable.
e_etcetera's review against another edition
3.0
J'avais adoré Les chaussures italiennes, première partie de cette histoire. Si j'ai adoré retrouver les personnages et surtout les paysages suédois, j'ai moins apprécié cette seconde partie. J'ai trouvé beaucoup de référence à l'étranger et j'ignore comment le prendre. Est ce une critique justement du traitement qu'accorde autrui à l'autre ou une vraie façon de voir ? La lecture reste cependant agréable et fluide.
smolek's review against another edition
2.0
The pace was just too slow and I didn’t see where it was going. I think the journey in this book was the destination, but I didn’t care for it
krism's review against another edition
4.0
I like Scandinavian crime dramas (niche, I know!) so when I saw this novel by the writer of the Inspector Kurt Wallander series, I picked it up. This is not a crime drama. The main character, Fredrik, is in his 70s and lives alone on an island off the coast of Sweden. One night his house burns down. Arson is suspected, but who? And how does one start over when they are in their 70s? Fredrik is a complex and not always likeable character. He is a loner but the fire brings many people into his life. I'll stop my review here because it's hard to describe the strange blend of odd relationships, Fredric's examination of his life, musings on the future, new life and deaths......
dmsreader09's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
- 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
5.0
I really enjoyed this book becuase of the fact that the arson/fires were secondary to the fears of the narrator, and the fact I hated the narrator, but understood his fears perfectly and sympathized. The way depression was handled in this book was fascinating, where you had some characters fold into themselves and try to make everyone else miserable, while others were grasping for a lifeline to try and pull themselves out, but ultimately failing. Despite the fact that I didn't like the narrator at all, I still LOVED how it dealt with the fear of growing old and dying, as well as just the pervasive loneliness you can feel as you do grow old. I don't think I've ever described my books as quiet before, but this novel was quiet. I really can't think of any other way to describe it.
terpsjas's review against another edition
4.0
Will be missed
I so thoroughly miss Mr. Mankell. His writing has always been excellent as were his stories. Will there be another as good.
I so thoroughly miss Mr. Mankell. His writing has always been excellent as were his stories. Will there be another as good.
charf47's review against another edition
4.0
Henning Mankell writes so well about life, ageing and mortality. As in all of Henning Mankell's books, the story line is intriguing and the characters quirky and interesting. I felt that there were definite similarities between Fredrik Welin, the main character of 'After the Fire', and Kurt Wallander, with whom any avid Mankell reader will be familiar, sharing the same introspective personality, bordering on depression which Mankell captures so well. An engaging read - highly recommended. Thanks to Vintage, Random House Publishers and NetGalley for the ARC.
tabea_sph_'s review
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
skpatton's review against another edition
3.0
More about being alone than being an old man. He is only 70! It's about loss and recovery. I do think the narrative rambles on at some points, but I enjoyed reading it.
ruda_'s review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25