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gadicohen93's review against another edition
3.0
Ceaselessly meandering, the narrative becomes all-consumingly wayward and aimless after Isherwood leaves Berlin to spread his gay debauchery across the European continent. Stylistically quite bare, apart from the interesting decision to refer to his past self in the omniscient, this book mires itself in the details of the passing month rather than in the vivaciousness of an experienced life, the little details that can evoke emotions. Isherwood finds himself seeded into the literary cream of society, as Auden's BFF and Forster's protege; his love life is a dazzling success. Yet the most intriguing parts of the memoir travelogue proved to be the political ones, the embroilment in the conflicts, as well as those moments where love flings itself wildly into his life. Those occurrences bring into being the more thoughtful passages Isherwood masters.
itscakey's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.0
wllmrlw's review against another edition
Too many characters being introduced throughout. I couldn’t keep track of who was who and had to keep re-reading paragraphs, not really understanding the context. A frustrating read.
andreghattas13's review against another edition
2.0
first dnf of the year because the subject is super interesting but the writing is a snoozefest
dasweinz's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book, for many reasons. It is interesting to read his memoirs and learn what was fact and fiction in the Berlin Novels, and how its plot lines are based on Isherwood's own life. Also, he is in general a captivating writer. It was fascinating to read about his relationship with his own memory of life events versus what is recorded in writing in his plays and in letters and journals of others. His frankness and openness in criticizing Christopher, his younger self, is refreshing. His relationship with his homosexuality is also interesting, and how it changes over the decade of this memoir. I borrowed a copy of this book -- I want to read it again and highlight all the passages I really loved.
stierwood's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.0
An important memoir! I was expecting it to be all tortured, but he knew quite clearly even in the 1920s that he was gay and he loved it. That was the coolest bit. I always love isherwood’s style of writing: concise, sharp, and romantic without being flowery which made the sad parts all the more raw. He was an asshole, though. I don’t think anyone is debating that, even himself. And some parts did NOT age well. Also, i love literary history. It’s all gossip but the people are the likes of EM Forster, WH Auden, and Virginia Woolf. I live for that shit
guilherme_bicalho's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
mi_a's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Christopher, buddy, was the last line necessary