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smcwhorter's review
challenging
dark
slow-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
3.0
deanjean_reads's review
4.0
After finishing this book, I'm left slightly puzzled (not being clued into the philosophical and literary puzzles littered throughout) but also in awe of Krzhizhanovsky's skill as a writer. His brand of surrealism is a masterly foil for his thoughts, vision and humour. If one can squeeze 3 or 4 short stories as a subtext of a major plot to explain the subtle power of words...wow.
sherbertwells's review
challenging
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
grandpacave's review
this hurt my head i felt i was being plunged into twenty different stories i needed to closely analyse. not the calm saturday evening read i expected. ow. probs a brilliant reread though
kingkong's review
2.0
This book is basically a collection of short stories which I'm sure are a metaphor for something or other
mimi13's review against another edition
4.0
Tolle Geschichte mit wunderbaren Geschichten (obwohl ich die Geschichten 2-3 etwas schnell durchgeblättert habe). Ironie der Geschichte natürlich, dass ich sie schwarz auf weiß vor mir habe.
jenniferlynnkrohn's review
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
In The Letter Killers Club, Sigizmund Krzhizhanovsky explores the nature of story telling and writing. I enjoy how Krzhizhanovsky plays with familiar narratives and troupes in this story, and the ideas that are brought up through the frame story is interesting. However, the ending felt abrupt and those ideas didn't feel fully developed.
_cristina's review
4.0
BURBAGE: Why is he here, this being that casts a shadow?
STERN: That you might welcome him as a shade.
BURBAGE: What are you trying to say, newcomer?
STERN: That I am a man who has envied his shadow: it can grow smaller or larger, whereas I am always equal to myself, the same man of the same inches, days, and thoughts. I have long since ceased to need the sun’s light, I prefer the footlights; all my life I have searched for the Land of Roles; but it refuses to accept me. I am only a conceiver, you see, I cannot complete anything: the letters hidden inside your book—O great image—shall remain forever unread by me.
BURBAGE: You never know. I’ve lived here for three hundred years, far from the extinguished footlights. Time enough to finish thinking all one’s thoughts. And you know, better to be an extra there, on earth, than a leading actor here, in the world of played-out plays. Better to be a dull and rusty blade than a precious but empty scabbard; indeed, better to be somehow or other than not to be magnificently: I would not struggle with that dilemma now. If you truly want—
STERN: Oh, I do!
BURBAGE: Then let’s trade places: why shouldn’t a role play an actor playing roles?
STERN: That you might welcome him as a shade.
BURBAGE: What are you trying to say, newcomer?
STERN: That I am a man who has envied his shadow: it can grow smaller or larger, whereas I am always equal to myself, the same man of the same inches, days, and thoughts. I have long since ceased to need the sun’s light, I prefer the footlights; all my life I have searched for the Land of Roles; but it refuses to accept me. I am only a conceiver, you see, I cannot complete anything: the letters hidden inside your book—O great image—shall remain forever unread by me.
BURBAGE: You never know. I’ve lived here for three hundred years, far from the extinguished footlights. Time enough to finish thinking all one’s thoughts. And you know, better to be an extra there, on earth, than a leading actor here, in the world of played-out plays. Better to be a dull and rusty blade than a precious but empty scabbard; indeed, better to be somehow or other than not to be magnificently: I would not struggle with that dilemma now. If you truly want—
STERN: Oh, I do!
BURBAGE: Then let’s trade places: why shouldn’t a role play an actor playing roles?
bent's review
2.0
The titular club is basically a framing story for a series of short stories. I liked this device at first, but it wore on me after awhile. The device, and some of the stories, reminded me a little of The Decameron. I thought the couple of stories were OK, thought the story of the in and ex was a neat idea that got bogged down in the details, and liked the final two stories. An engaging enough book.
getlitwithmegan's review
2.0
Interesting concept. Not sure if I was in the correct mindset for it, though..