Reviews

Transit by Anna Seghers

foggy_rosamund's review against another edition

3.0

Written in the 1940s, following Seghers' flight from Germany to Mexico, this novel is narrated by a nameless narrator in Marseilles, who is one of thousands of refugees desperately fleeing Europe. Essentially, this is a novel about the cruelty of bureaucracy: terrified people are frantically trying to obtain visas and travel permits from one country after another, and being refused mainly for technicalities. The novel shows the fear and hopelessness of being a refugee, and the inhumanity of government officials who will not help those who are fleeing for their lives. It feels brutally relevant to Europe today. While the style is stilted at times and the characterisations rather flat, I found the novel compelling and important.

buecherurstey's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.25

gayadorno's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

mineral9's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75

feralratgirl's review against another edition

challenging reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.0

miriamschlundt's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective fast-paced

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

3.75

miekereads's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad slow-paced

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

3.5

sydneyedens's review against another edition

informative reflective sad slow-paced

4.5

“that is to say, i like things that have been and will always be there.” me too

this book plopped me down and made me think about a completely different reality that i had never thought of before, so ofc i really liked it. i love a good story and this one had me hooked 
minus half a star bc i wish marie had been giving more in general

sbbarnes's review against another edition

3.0

interpretationsansatz aus dem Nachwort: erzähler hat keine eigene Identität im Laufe des Romans, er nimmt immer nur die Namen anderer an; seine Entscheidung zu bleiben am Ende zeigt seinen Entschluss als er selbst zu leben

anyas_books's review against another edition

challenging hopeful informative sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0