Reviews - Erkek nedir bilmezdim

45.1k reviews for:

Erkek nedir bilmezdim

Jacqueline Harpman

4.24 AVERAGE

angelajuniper's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

frogtismo's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous emotional reflective relaxing sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

this was heartbreaking. to begin with, i wasn’t sold on this book, but the more i read, the more i became invested and felt both melancholy and serenity. i really can’t explain why this book enthralled me so much. the writing was superb, but although the protagonist lacked characterisation beyond her motivations, i was rooting for her. usually when i review a book or contemplate my thoughts surrounding it, i like to break down my thoughts based on the writing, the plot, the characters, and how it made me feel emotionally. but this book is the first that is difficult to explain why it evoked such deep emotions in me. maybe because i can relate to the protagonist, who feels as though she is meandering her whole life. perhaps it’s because i wanted to see if she would find civilisation, and how the book ends. or maybe this book is enigmatic and truly sits in its own field. i can’t say a single book ive read comes close to this one in terms of its plot & deeper themes. it is in a genre of its own, floating around on bookshelves, just like the protagonist throughout the story
the quote i cannot stop thinking about is:
"Death is sometimes so discreet that it steals in noiselessly, stays for only a moment and carries off its prey"

Content Warnings

bhutthole's review against another edition

5.0

emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

mmanuelap's review against another edition

3.0

I was perfectly aware that I had only added another question to all the others, but it was a new one, and, in the absurd world in which I lived, and still live, that was happiness.

I liked this book, it made me feel the sadness and solitude of living with no companionship, or of finding that companionship within oneself. The book begs you to take a few minutes for a brief existential crisis, a moment to reflect on what it means to be human, what it means to suffer, what it means to love.
I just wish the plot had a bit more packed into it. Though I suppose that could be intentional - it leaves us constantly wondering, imagining scenarios, and trying to understand what life is.

lucipher's review against another edition

3.0

dark mysterious 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: No

thingsfrommay's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

minimeeko's review against another edition

4.0

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

It's hard to put my finger on what makes this book good. I think it insights a lot of reflection on yourself and your own life, rather than the story the unnamed narrator tells. Read it for yourself and see what I mean.