Scan barcode
julia_taylors_version's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ipb1's review against another edition
3.0
3* may be a bit generous... Amiable enough, but little more than an 'Adrian Mole' type adolescent satire with a hint of interest from the flavour of life in the GDR.
emziesreads's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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? It's complicated
3.5
rita_reads_cda's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Fast, fun read
sirhe's review against another edition
5.0
The story is about Micha, a boy growing up in the GDR and his struggles with love.
Brussig does a good job of painting normal day life in the GDR and emphasizes the human elements during the time of occupation.
I definitely recommend the novella if you would like a good laugh. Brussig does a good job of setting up his punchlines early on in the story to develop a great big laugh at the end. Frankly, I do not know what there is not to love about this novella; a boy's yearning for a girl, an uncle that smuggles goods across the border, and banned songs tickle your funny bone from page one.
Brussig does a good job of painting normal day life in the GDR and emphasizes the human elements during the time of occupation.
I definitely recommend the novella if you would like a good laugh. Brussig does a good job of setting up his punchlines early on in the story to develop a great big laugh at the end. Frankly, I do not know what there is not to love about this novella; a boy's yearning for a girl, an uncle that smuggles goods across the border, and banned songs tickle your funny bone from page one.
giulia_khl's review
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
notyourvegetable's review
1.0
(schullektüre)
Wahrscheinlich sollte das Buch einen authentischen Einblick in das Leben von Jugendlichen in der DDR geben. Es wirkt aber mehr wie eine zusammenhanglose Aneinanderreihung von seltsamen Szenen, die ganz sicher nicht authentisch sind. Nebenbei zeigt dieses Buch auch, dass man anscheinend keinen Namen mehr hat, sobald man homosexuell oder dick ist oder eine Brille trägt. Stattdessen sollte man auf jeden Fall diskriminierende Wörter wählen. (oder eben auch nicht) Sorry, aber einfach nein.
Wahrscheinlich sollte das Buch einen authentischen Einblick in das Leben von Jugendlichen in der DDR geben. Es wirkt aber mehr wie eine zusammenhanglose Aneinanderreihung von seltsamen Szenen, die ganz sicher nicht authentisch sind. Nebenbei zeigt dieses Buch auch, dass man anscheinend keinen Namen mehr hat, sobald man homosexuell oder dick ist oder eine Brille trägt. Stattdessen sollte man auf jeden Fall diskriminierende Wörter wählen. (oder eben auch nicht) Sorry, aber einfach nein.
isabel2128's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
ostrava's review against another edition
2.0
Oh yeah, I forgot I read this! It's not very good, but maybe the pressure of trying to take something out of it in my German classes added to my distaste of it.
One thing I do appreciate though is the nuanced portrait of the people living in East Germany. And the "apolitical" approach was also pretty alright as it allows the characters to be a bit more than just instruments for the writer's message.
The problem is that it's kinda... boring.
One thing I do appreciate though is the nuanced portrait of the people living in East Germany. And the "apolitical" approach was also pretty alright as it allows the characters to be a bit more than just instruments for the writer's message.
The problem is that it's kinda... boring.