Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
This is a tough book to review. I read the more recent English translation published in 2009, which apparently updated some parts, reinserted a couple of explicit sentence fragments that were omitted from the previous version, and in the more lyrical parts, adjusted the wording so the cadence kind of stays the same (this all from the afterword from the translator).
There is a LOT going on here and I feel like I didn't understand half of it. I get that much of this is allegorical to the war, especially with regards to Germany and Poland. There were parts of this that I liked, and I did enjoy the rhythm and roll of the text (like drum beats).
There is a LOT going on here and I feel like I didn't understand half of it. I get that much of this is allegorical to the war, especially with regards to Germany and Poland. There were parts of this that I liked, and I did enjoy the rhythm and roll of the text (like drum beats).
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
You know, like Catch-22. But German.
I *loved* this book. But I was 16. I was perfect for it and it was perfect for me.
I *loved* this book. But I was 16. I was perfect for it and it was perfect for me.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
funny
slow-paced
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Self harm, Abandonment, War
This is a tough one. I can truly see the literary merit: it's wildly imaginative, unconventional, and creative in countless levels. However: I didn't enjoy it. It felt like a chore, like an assignment. I started it 4 times (not a good omen), and really had to tread through the last quarter (although the ending had some excitement). Funny enough, I would like to read the next book (it's a trilogy as far as I know). Hopefully, Grass' talents will find more resonance with me in the next ones.