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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
Was a bit tought to get into, and had to return it to the library.
Neighbor Histories, pp 56-59, for instance. “She did not feel particularly disposed toward any of them, or rather, she thought they weren’t fit to tie her shoes.”
funny
mysterious
reflective
I really can't add anything to this review. I did find it baffling, and only stumbled across the translator's note when I was about halfway through. It helped a lot, and I found the second half better than the first. But I still didn't find the stories engaging, and often found myself wondering what the point was. The photos scattered throughout bear no apparent relation to the stories, and no context is given for them (plus the reproduction is very poor ... and the author is a professional photographer). I read it on Kindle, but have seen a print copy and the production values are terrible. It looks cheap and nasty, and is in literally 6-point type -- very tiring to read.
And finally, the translation is not good. It seems obvious that the translator's mother tongue is not English, and the language is clumsy. "Here it is as dark but slightly warmer as out on the street." Or "screwing out" a lightbulb.
And finally, the translation is not good. It seems obvious that the translator's mother tongue is not English, and the language is clumsy. "Here it is as dark but slightly warmer as out on the street." Or "screwing out" a lightbulb.
Just finished reading this sometimes fantastic, and sometimes not so collection of short stories and vignettes by Ukrainian photographer, journalist, and writer. Each story in this book is centered on a woman (most of the time) in Kyiv or elsewhere in Ukraine. These stories aren’t about Putin, or his invasion. These stories are about everyday living and all about anonymous people – from a refugee to a florist to card players to readers of horoscopes, a world unto itself.
Belorusets’ writing is sometimes playful, mostly tragic, and all about surviving with some humour along the way. There are also twenty-three photographs in this collection, each telling its own story, and forming their own unique visual narrative. The translation by Eugene Ostashevsky is on-spot and extremely lucid. I was just a little miffed to not see the translator’s name on the cover. Also, as a side-note, read it online or hear it. The print is way too fine and you might end up straining your eyes like I did.
Lucky Breaks is a surreal collection of stories from a region that has come to fore, sadly for all the wrong reasons. But do read this book to know more about Ukraine, its people, and how they live and feel.
Belorusets’ writing is sometimes playful, mostly tragic, and all about surviving with some humour along the way. There are also twenty-three photographs in this collection, each telling its own story, and forming their own unique visual narrative. The translation by Eugene Ostashevsky is on-spot and extremely lucid. I was just a little miffed to not see the translator’s name on the cover. Also, as a side-note, read it online or hear it. The print is way too fine and you might end up straining your eyes like I did.
Lucky Breaks is a surreal collection of stories from a region that has come to fore, sadly for all the wrong reasons. But do read this book to know more about Ukraine, its people, and how they live and feel.
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
funny
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
These women had no idea their next stop would be — The Kharms' Way!
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated