Reviews

The Collected Stories of Stefan Zweig by Stefan Zweig

outcolder's review against another edition

5.0

These stories are not cute like Wes Anderson's "Grand Budapest Hotel" and they are much creepier than Sophia Coppola's "Marie Antoinette." They would have fit better in Alfred Hitchcock's TV show. They are intense, scary, and generally made me uncomfortable in my own skin, like Zweig: the exile, the Jew. Paradoxically, reading Zweig made me feel even more at home in Vienna.

karinlib's review against another edition

4.0

Stefan Zweig was a beautiful writer and these stories reflect his talent.

emisallyrob's review

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad slow-paced

5.0

kristidurbs's review against another edition

4.0

Haven’t read Stefan Zweig? You should. Really. But be prepared: melancholy awaits. His stories have such twisting plots, lots of psychology. Maybe 1 of 22 had a “happy” ending?? Quote from said story: “Nothing makes one as healthy as happiness, and there is no greater happiness than making someone else happy.”
Well, I don’t think Zweig was after his happiness or his readers’ happiness in these stories. But they are still fascinating.

zjunjunia's review against another edition

4.0

After Fictions, I was convinced to read more translated short stories and when I found that The Great Budapest Hotel was inspired by Zweig, I picked this up. Fantastic set of stories, very uncomfortable at times especially with themes of death and ageing. But I loved them, especially those set in Vienna and Bathampton. Highlights may come when life slows down and I can catch up!

brannonkrkhuang's review

challenging emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

One of the best books I've read in a long time. Thanks to this book, I've added to my to-do list "read everything I can by Stefan Zweig". Can't believe his writing isn't more popular, considering how beautiful and powerful it is. Some of my favorite stories in the collection were about people deserting or refusing to enlist during wartime. Every story is packed with such heart, such great characters, and such human thought processes. 

(Something to be aware of, suicide is a theme that comes up more than once.)

nagornaya's review

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

amelie5m's review

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

novice052's review

4.0

These are not the best stories you’ve ever read but there’s some thing about the tone that he’s able to capture which is rare and kind of nice. “The Star Above the Forest” is a pretty great story and it’s worth picking up just to read that one I think.

christineliu's review

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0