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randalm's review against another edition
3.0
It took me a few pages to warm up to this classic. The main character is a bit smug about his status and accomplishments. To refresh his writing, he goes to Venice where he becomes obsessed with a 14 year-old boy. There’s some lovely language in praise of beauty and lofty ideas that I found intriguing some of the time and wan and detached other times. Still, the good far outweighs the bad in this novella.
coopfranks's review
challenging
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mayanabrumatte's review
reflective
medium-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
3.5
rld1727's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
2.75
I liked a number of the stories, but found that reading them in this collected format was not great. It’s interesting to see Mann continue to explore a concept, but it gets a little repetitive to read them in this context. I don’t recommend reading start to finish, but rather, reading one and then giving it a couple of days (a good one to read while also reading another book!).
generalalarm's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
bartendm's review against another edition
1.0
I found these stories so morbid and depressing that I could not finish the book, something so rare for me. I guess he is not my style.
nileusendul's review against another edition
4.0
When I first read this book, I was sixteen years old, and although I loved the writing, I didn't know what to make of the plot. I couldn't quite wrap my head around the relationship between the old man and the young boy. Even though I read it again years later, I still found the plot disconcerting, but I can still appreciate the beautiful story telling behind it.