Reviews

My, utonulí by Carsten Jensen

petiteboussole's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny inspiring medium-paced

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

5.0

lvfl's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

2.5

This book is somewhere between 2.5-4.5 stars. 

I may return and change my rating substantially. It depends how this book sticks with me over the coming days. 

There would be 200 pages of compelling storytelling punctuated by a sucker punch of horrific violence, followed by another 200 pages of compelling storytelling. There was violence and horror throughout, but some scenes were stomach-turning and enraging in ways that made me want to throw out the whole book. Then I’d be drawn back in to these lives. 

I’m also not really sure what the message of the book is. Is it about trauma and the horrors humans inflict upon one another? About the possibility that we maintain our humanity even when committing deeply inhumane acts? Is it a critique of casual misogyny and racism or is it just casual misogyny and racism? Is it primarily about the capriciousness and violence of the sea as she widows women and orphans children? 

Anyone considering reading this book should look at the content warnings. The scenes of

animal abuse

,

domestic violence

, and

rape

were particularly challenging to read. 

cook_memorial_public_library's review against another edition

5.0

My Danish grandfather ran away from home at the age of 14 and ended up as a cook on a Danish Navy ship in the early 1900s. The novel, “We the Drowned’’, gave me a fascinating look into what his life might have been like at sea before he eventually settled down in Racine, Wisconsin.

The author, Carsten Jensen, created a moving tale about the people from his small hometown of Marstal, Denmark. The book follows the adventures of three men from 1848-1945, and how their long absences affect the families they leave behind.

Their voyages take them to far-off places, from the exotic islands of the Pacific to the rocky shores of Newfoundland. I especially enjoyed how this book isn’t just about the dangers at sea. Jensen explores what it is like for the strong women of Marstal, who constantly face never seeing their husbands and sons again. We also get to know the young boys of Marstal, who dream of following in their fathers’ footsteps. Filled with humor, sadness and thrills, “We the Drowned’’ is a journey worth taking.

--Recommended by Jo

Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Swe%20the%20drowned%20jensen__Orightresult__U1?lang=eng&suite=pearl

bookmoth's review against another edition

medium-paced

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

4.0

kenzic's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny informative inspiring sad slow-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

4.5

magalis's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

trylingual's review against another edition

5.0

translated novels are a hit or miss for me.
this one was spectacular! jensen was able to continually educate and entertain me through weaving history and the last-century profession of sailing along with stories that make legends!

countthrockula's review against another edition

Epic, multi-generational tale of a place, its history and people, beautifully woven together. The longest book I’ve read, so that says something — but hard to recommend (who’s it for?)

rebekel89's review against another edition

adventurous 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

3.25

ariannefowler's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring sad tense medium-paced

5.0

Epic. I'm not sure I'll ever read anything like this again, because it's so one of a kind. The book expands 100 years and, as a reader, I felt completely immersed in this world.