Reviews

Benim Durumumdaki Erkekler by Per Petterson

drewlyxes's review against another edition

emotional sad slow-paced

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

3.5

It was like reading Norwegian Bukowski/Mailer 

psinoza's review

4.0

petterson'un çizdiği varoluşçu portre, yan karakterlerin kullanımı ve mekan tasvirleri kitabın diğer varoluşçu romanlardan sıyrılıp kendi kimliğini inşa etmesine yardımcı oluyor. arvid jansen'in ailesini kaybetmesi, eşinin evi terk etmesi ve en büyük kızına karşı ne yapacağını bilememesi jansen'i bir varoluşçu roman karakterinden ziyade varoluşçu kimliğe bürünecek bir tip haline getiriyor. "benim durumumdaki erkekler"; aksini söyleyip de kendisine acınmasını, kendisiyle empati kurulmasını isteyenlerin hikâyesi.

maya_abi05's review against another edition

Couldn’t get over the fact that it was translated. It made it too difficult for me to read and follow.

thesapphiccelticbookworm's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective slow-paced

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

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Child death

Moderate: Car accident and Mental illness

grace_ramsey's review against another edition

4.0

Petterson is praised by others for his self-awareness in Men In My Situation. But I read this novel as a presentation of an awareness of a romanticized, faraway version of himself. Petterson is aware of who he wishes he was-- he knows a model of his personality that has been folded to fit the neatly packaged version of a person that it feels a literary setting demads-- not who he really is. And that lack of genuine self reflection, especially when presented as aching and raw, is continually disappointing (although, I imagine that Petterson himself felt continual disappointment in himself while going through whatever inspired this book; there is no way not to feel that way when dealing with something like this).

I think it is probably fair to say that I worry that I write in the first person with the same urge I can see spilled all over this book-- the urge to write about a cleaner, more literary version of myself. But when this book is meant to be as raw and close as Men In My Situation is, you can't get away with that. The reader can feel your deception.
 
I really did like this book, but I just wanted more from him. I think he could have done better, and his ego got in the way (why are there so many women that appear from the ether just to tell our protagonist that they are familiar with him as an author and admire his work???). 

adishimoni's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad tense slow-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

4.0

joeh's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

3.75

In 'Men in my Situation' Petterson paints a lush portrait of the precipice masculinity teeters on when confronting turmoil (though fairly, it's uniquely sad turmoil). This book is very, very sad, but, also, funny, insightful, redundant and rather lovely. 

Petterson is a beautiful writer. He illustrates the depth sadness and loss can descend. He articulates how someone can be immobilized, in each facet of their life, by pain, by sadness. The poignance of Arvid's search for companionship in the wake of his divorce is also lovely.

All that said, this story becomes a bit one dimensional at times. I love the aimless car rides but there are so many. The sadness and the pain can become oppressive at times, especially when mixed with the near constant flirtation. 

Definitely a solid book. I'm eager to investigate other Petterson offerings. 

thebookiebungalow's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

marblemenow's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-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? Yes

3.0