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dwheeler88's review against another edition
This is a hard book to rate because as many qualities of the book that I did like, it’s hard to say I “liked” the book. The book follows Laurids, his son Albert until old age, and then Albert’s semi-adopted 6 year old boy Knud Erik until his 30s. The book spans from 1848 to 1945 including aspects of both world wars.
Pros:
• I was impressed with how smoothly the transitions covering Laurids to Albert to Knud.
• I also really appreciated how close to history Carson kept. I read he, himself grew up in Marshtal.
• I liked the views of WWI and WWII from the perspective of the seamen.
• I like the switches from 3rd person to “we”
• I really liked Albert’s time as a young man searching for his dad
• I liked the insights and thoughts into human nature
Cons:
• As other reviewers have stated, some of the coincidences at the end were too much of a stretch
• Laurids’s and Albert’s endings were horribly depressing
Pros:
• I was impressed with how smoothly the transitions covering Laurids to Albert to Knud.
• I also really appreciated how close to history Carson kept. I read he, himself grew up in Marshtal.
• I liked the views of WWI and WWII from the perspective of the seamen.
• I like the switches from 3rd person to “we”
• I really liked Albert’s time as a young man searching for his dad
• I liked the insights and thoughts into human nature
Cons:
• As other reviewers have stated, some of the coincidences at the end were too much of a stretch
• Laurids’s and Albert’s endings were horribly depressing
firerosearien's review against another edition
5.0
Fiction just the way I like it - sprawling and epic, with a real sense of time and place.
fiona_readerly's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I absolutely loved this book. I was really happy to find another Danish novel that wasn't a crime as Scandi noir was definitely in Vogue back in the day thanks to TV series like The Killing and The Bridge.
So I got it from the library to begin with. And I started reading it as I was waiting for someone and it was just fantastic.
So I got it from the library to begin with. And I started reading it as I was waiting for someone and it was just fantastic.
ayamaya's review against another edition
5.0
"Ето тази вечер танцувахме с удавниците и те бяхме ние."
Разкош, изпълнен с високи вълни и тъмни води. Обожавам тази книга, а приключението, през което ме накара да премина, е всичко, което обичам в една книга - нито миг скука, задъхани описания, исторически събития, интригуващи герои.
Как се радвам, че се реших да подхвана книгата на Карстен Йенсен. Сърцето ми остана в Марстал.
Разкош, изпълнен с високи вълни и тъмни води. Обожавам тази книга, а приключението, през което ме накара да премина, е всичко, което обичам в една книга - нито миг скука, задъхани описания, исторически събития, интригуващи герои.
Как се радвам, че се реших да подхвана книгата на Карстен Йенсен. Сърцето ми остана в Марстал.
annakelly's review against another edition
5.0
Seeing as I don't write reviews and I'm writing one for "We, The Drowned" it's clear this book was fantastic. Even though this book was almost 700 pages, I found myself reading it slowly because I never wanted it to end!
This was an absolutely incredible read spanning a century with the stories being told through successive generations. Jensen's writing was so fluid and beautiful, and everything in the novel came full circle. The sea and the town of Marstal are central to the story, and are almost made to feel like main characters. The first person narrative told using "we" was so beautiful and cleverly done. This book had something for everyone and I experienced every emotion possible while reading it- fear, love, sadness, anger, loss, joy, etc. Without a doubt worth the read.
This was an absolutely incredible read spanning a century with the stories being told through successive generations. Jensen's writing was so fluid and beautiful, and everything in the novel came full circle. The sea and the town of Marstal are central to the story, and are almost made to feel like main characters. The first person narrative told using "we" was so beautiful and cleverly done. This book had something for everyone and I experienced every emotion possible while reading it- fear, love, sadness, anger, loss, joy, etc. Without a doubt worth the read.
forfatter_torben_mathiassen's review against another edition
5.0
Jeg elsker denne bog. Skulle dog bruge de første 150 sider på lige at komme igang, men så vendte bøtten og jeg levede mig fuldstændig ind i fortællingen, som både er medrivende, historisk oplysende og interessant. Det var mit første bekendtskab med Carsten Jensen som forfatter, og det gjorde mig bestemt nysgerrig på mere.
strawberrypinch's review against another edition
3.0
I really struggled to rate this one. I think the style is extremely interesting but the subject matter is so miserable. To me, the characters were all fairly unlikeable. On the other hand, I could easily understand why they were the way they were. I felt their characterizations were realistic & well-grounded even if I didn't like them. I haven't read much historical fiction, but this book does make me interested in exploring the genre more. I would especially like to see more books that follow a town's inhabitants over a span of time, rather than a main character's life, the way this one does. I just hope my next pick isn't so depressing.
anywiebs's review against another edition
2.0
This was a struggle. It started of super well, I loved the detailed, graphic, descriptive and realistic writing. How it included you into the story and put you right there with the people.
By the chapter Boy everything changed for me though. I felt repetitions increased and the writing just slowed things down while at the same time the story grew more boring.
So I think it is lovely writing and some of the chapters and storylines are super, others not so.
By the chapter Boy everything changed for me though. I felt repetitions increased and the writing just slowed things down while at the same time the story grew more boring.
So I think it is lovely writing and some of the chapters and storylines are super, others not so.
sockielady's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0