Reviews - Sandmannen | The StoryGraph

979 reviews for:

Sandmannen

E.T.A. Hoffmann

3.47 AVERAGE

eesebasis's review against another edition

4.5

dark funny fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

mama_marlene23's review against another edition

4.0

dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

blackcupid's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

senvh's review against another edition

4.25

dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

"Don't take offence, brother, but to us she seems strangely stiff and soulless."

An eerily told and crafted German gothic that explores the power of belief, temptation, and unresolved childhood trauma. The association of eyes with sand and glass is a clever metaphor: Nathanael's initial desire to personify the Sandman can also be observed in his almost instantaneous infatuation with the glassy-eyed Olimpia. Whether or not certain events of the story actually took place, it was compelling to see Nathanael's unrelenting desires distorting his perception of everyday life. This was a very quick and engrossing read for me!