Reviews

A Estrela da Manhã by Karl Ove Knausgård

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torfinn's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.75

It’s really difficult to review this book, let alone give a somewhat objective recommendation.
Even though the German version has almost 900 pages, I rushed through them relatively quickly. Knausgård is really readable, even when there’s longer philosophical passages. I was sceptical about the supernatural aspect of the story, but to me it felt fitting. That being said though, I can see people not liking this idea.

Content Warnings

gidazz's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense 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

4.0

mollybonovskyanderson's review against another edition

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5.0

Wow.
I have read 8 books by Karl Ove Knausgaard, but this is the first novel. I'm pleased to say that his fiction is no different; the detailed depictions of every day life, the ponderance of meaning, life and death, the philosophical forays, the Proustian attention to memory and time, it's all there, and I won't soon forget this book. Of course the cast of characters and subplots is enormous, and most of them are left unfinished at the end, which would not bother me in any other book, but it's clear they are all meant to unite and collide in some way, and for that, I guess I will have to wait until the next book. But this novel alone is so full of unforgettable visuals, unique characters (all, I assume, some semblance of the author himself), outright frightening events, and the deep-dives into theology and existentialism that keep me reading every word Knausgaard writes.