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kdog's review
adventurous
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
msilkwolfe's review against another edition
5.0
What a truly wonderful book! Parul Sehgal wrote, “Read this witty, wildly inventive work and how conservative, how painfully corseted so much modern fiction will suddenly seem,” and she is so right.
Written in 1881, this novel drew me in from the first chapter where our dying protagonist is riding into death on the back of a hippopotamus. You read that right. A hippopotamus. The short chapters keep it moving at a fast, clipped pace. It was very comical and funny, while also addressing deeper ideas like what risks we take for other people, what legacies we leave behind, and the expectations vs realities of our lives.
Written in 1881, this novel drew me in from the first chapter where our dying protagonist is riding into death on the back of a hippopotamus. You read that right. A hippopotamus. The short chapters keep it moving at a fast, clipped pace. It was very comical and funny, while also addressing deeper ideas like what risks we take for other people, what legacies we leave behind, and the expectations vs realities of our lives.
allie8973's review against another edition
1.0
This was terribly boring. Every reviews is glowing and idk why. I like reading unlikeable characters but you can't be unlikeable and boring.
Chapter LXXI summed it up. The problem is me. I don't like the narration of this book. The main character is unlikeable and the plot is not interesting. He does nothing interesting
He had no children and no one to bequeath his misery?
Yeah except me for the time of reading this book I was miserable
Chapter LXXI summed it up. The problem is me. I don't like the narration of this book. The main character is unlikeable and the plot is not interesting. He does nothing interesting
He had no children and no one to bequeath his misery?
Yeah except me for the time of reading this book I was miserable
nicolicristini's review against another edition
5.0
Difícil acreditar que esse livro foi publicado em 1881! Ele é muito moderno e ousado. Tinha abandonado ele na adolescência e decidi começar outra vez agora na vida adulta. Me surpreendi com quão agradável foi a leitura.
Achei muito interessante ler sobre uma pessoa tão… mediana. Que personagem interessante!
A prosa do Machado é sempre lindíssima. Parece uma pintura em forma de palavras.
Achei muito interessante ler sobre uma pessoa tão… mediana. Que personagem interessante!
A prosa do Machado é sempre lindíssima. Parece uma pintura em forma de palavras.
gabzenabi1's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
jrjulhoagosto's review
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
maikas's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75