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ps2's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
karinlib's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars really. This is the third book I have read by Kadare, and although this isn't my favorite by him, I did enjoy it.
Communism has left Albania and the Albanians are trying to figure out how to live their lives. Old state secrets, Albanian legends and a clandestine love affair are all apart of this novel. I especially enjoyed the legends, and kind of wished that the book had centered around legends.
Communism has left Albania and the Albanians are trying to figure out how to live their lives. Old state secrets, Albanian legends and a clandestine love affair are all apart of this novel. I especially enjoyed the legends, and kind of wished that the book had centered around legends.
wereallinthegutter's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
jcthiem's review against another edition
4.0
Not what I typically read but after hearing a TED Talk from a lady who looked at her bookshelf and noticed that vast majority of the books were from US/UK authors, she decided to read a book by an author in each country. Sounded like a good goal. This is from Albania and seemed to be a fictional story with a mythical story and a modern era backdrop. It was quite interesting reading material from outside my usual focus areas while glimpsing another perspective on the world we live in.
schnauzermum's review against another edition
3.0
Reading the World: Albania
This novel takes place in the 1990s, following the fall of the Communist regime. It is structured into chapters (the relatively realistic) and counter-chapters which provide commentary in the form of folk tales, Ancient Greek mythology, and Mark’s own dreams and musings. The future is uncertain, which I imagine captures the feelings of many Albanians during those years. Some fall back in the ancient code of laws and behaviour, the ‘Kanun’, with its blood feuds. The past also is contested. Reading the book is a baffling experience.
This novel takes place in the 1990s, following the fall of the Communist regime. It is structured into chapters (the relatively realistic) and counter-chapters which provide commentary in the form of folk tales, Ancient Greek mythology, and Mark’s own dreams and musings. The future is uncertain, which I imagine captures the feelings of many Albanians during those years. Some fall back in the ancient code of laws and behaviour, the ‘Kanun’, with its blood feuds. The past also is contested. Reading the book is a baffling experience.
_dunno_'s review against another edition
3.0
So, first of all I'm happy to report that Romanians have a very good translation of the book, thanks to Marius Dobrescu. I understand the situation is not so good for the English version, which is translated from French, which is translated from Albanian. huh!
People say that in order to like this book you need a bit of patience. Actually I was hooked. Not from the first chapter, that's true, but from the second, which is actually a story that combines magical realism with folklore. The book was likable but it ended too soon, I had the feeling I.K. could have gone into depth with the story, the characters, the kanun.
I was absolutely fascinated (and started googling right away) about kanun, the customary set of laws Albanians had for hundred of years and which was revived after the fall of the communist regime. As I read, Kadare often discusses this subject in his books, so I'm tempted to try something else really soon.
For those interested, here's a link to the Romanian translator's postface, which also explains a bit the kanun and gjakmarrja (blood feud): http://atelier.liternet.ro/articol.php?art=755
People say that in order to like this book you need a bit of patience. Actually I was hooked. Not from the first chapter, that's true, but from the second, which is actually a story that combines magical realism with folklore. The book was likable but it ended too soon, I had the feeling I.K. could have gone into depth with the story, the characters, the kanun.
I was absolutely fascinated (and started googling right away) about kanun, the customary set of laws Albanians had for hundred of years and which was revived after the fall of the communist regime. As I read, Kadare often discusses this subject in his books, so I'm tempted to try something else really soon.
For those interested, here's a link to the Romanian translator's postface, which also explains a bit the kanun and gjakmarrja (blood feud): http://atelier.liternet.ro/articol.php?art=755
lizzie_617920's review
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
the_cece_library's review
informative
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25