Reviews

Last Witnesses by Svetlana Alexiévich

samnathanson's review against another edition

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5.0

Svetlana Alexievich back at it again with the excellent book

hatseflats's review against another edition

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5.0

There are no words. This one is a real punch to the gut. This is the third collection of 'oral histories' by Svetlana Alexievich that I have read, and of the three, this collection of adults recalling their experiences as children during World War II is by far the heaviest. It's difficult to say that I 'enjoyed' reading this collection, but I feel somehow richer for having done so. Man's inhumanity to man never ceases to amazes me.

tamzinlittle's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful sad tense

5.0

 Wow. This book was harrowing, important, and has had an incredible impact on me. It’s such a personal angle on the war, so separate from the cold, objective history textbooks. To see how different people reacted in such a dire moment and the impact on their lives was incredible, and it was incredibly well written. Everyone should read this. 

emgemgemg's review against another edition

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reflective

5.0

jhalloran99's review against another edition

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3.0

A very important record of the horror of war, but I think I just don't like oral histories. This is the second one I've read and they don't really resonate with me. I need more of an arch and plot line.

"He Gathered Them in a Basket" and "Did God Watch This? And What Did He think?" were the most moving and sad excerpts in my opinion.

viktoria20012011's review against another edition

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challenging informative reflective tense slow-paced

4.5

ash24314's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

5.0

belrodrigues's review against another edition

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5.0

"no começo eu acreditava e corria com os pequenos, empurrava, depois comecei a ter medo: por que os que são levados para comer mingau não voltam?"

difícil demais processar a carga dessa leitura, mas ela perpetua algo que sempre falo: a gente precisa lembrar; e contar tais histórias, passá-las adiante, fazer cada depoimento ressoar. a svetlana fez isso novamente e com maestria, como quando escreveu sobre chernobyl. leiam, mas leiam preparados.

lmc_phd's review against another edition

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dark emotional informative tense medium-paced

3.75

kathann's review against another edition

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dark emotional informative reflective

4.75