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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
I spent a little too long wondering about the train system in Perth in 1953.
In the midst of the Perth polio pandemic in the early 1950s, a young Hungarian WW2 refugee contracts polio and discovers within himself the heart of a poet. In the unlikely place of a rehab hospital called The Golden Age, he finds his delicate muse and becomes devoted to her with all the intensity that young love musters from shaky beginnings.
More heart warming than heart breaking, surprisingly compelling and told so incredibly clearly that I felt I was there.
A must read.
More heart warming than heart breaking, surprisingly compelling and told so incredibly clearly that I felt I was there.
A must read.
hopeful
informative
sad
slow-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
the only age was me aging through parts of this book
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
"If he didn’t know better about human nature – his education had been swift and irrevocable – he would say that there was an innocence about this city. Nobody here could imagine the waters of the Swan running red. The Causeway bombed, tanks rolling up St Georges Terrace. Block after block of empty buildings, blackened and broken like ruined teeth. Shots ringing out. The hunted running through Kings Park. Bodies piled ten high on the steps of Parliament House…"
I may be biased (due to having to read and respond to this book in my English classes).
BUT
I am outraged at everything to do with this book.
My poor 17 year old mind cannot comprehend it in the slightest, I've never felt so much rage even holding a book in my life. I am usually a collected person, but this brings the worst parts out of me. The constant urge to rip apart the spine and scream at the top of my lungs is ridiculous. ITS JUST A BOOK FOR GODS SAKE.
HOW DID VCAA LET THIS INTO IT'S BOOK LIST?
Maybe this is a pleasant read for older blokes, but once this year is over I am burning it to ashes.
The non-linear narrative pains me to no end! It takes me multiple times to even pick up the simple ideas in each chapter and by the time I do, the rest of the book is gone with the wind.
The first time I tried to suffer through it, it was confusing. I had to bring up certain ideas and historical references to my mother to understand certain scenes in Hungary.
I usually can tolerate a book, but certainly not this one. Let me pray for a better understanding through more excruciating analyzing during the next 6 months.
BUT
I am outraged at everything to do with this book.
My poor 17 year old mind cannot comprehend it in the slightest, I've never felt so much rage even holding a book in my life. I am usually a collected person, but this brings the worst parts out of me. The constant urge to rip apart the spine and scream at the top of my lungs is ridiculous. ITS JUST A BOOK FOR GODS SAKE.
HOW DID VCAA LET THIS INTO IT'S BOOK LIST?
Maybe this is a pleasant read for older blokes, but once this year is over I am burning it to ashes.
The non-linear narrative pains me to no end! It takes me multiple times to even pick up the simple ideas in each chapter and by the time I do, the rest of the book is gone with the wind.
The first time I tried to suffer through it, it was confusing. I had to bring up certain ideas and historical references to my mother to understand certain scenes in Hungary.
I usually can tolerate a book, but certainly not this one. Let me pray for a better understanding through more excruciating analyzing during the next 6 months.
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Ehhh... Hard for me to rate and review this book because I didn't read what I thought I would. Either the summary I got at the back cover of the book (French edition) was misleading, or the author didn't write what she said she had, but I think it's the first explanation...
Anyway, because of that back cover, I thought the book would center around Frank and Elsa's developing relationship and that them being found in the same bed together would be a turning point in the story, but turns out it doesn't happen till late in the book and that...nothing much happens either before or after that.
I think the author intended for it to be a character study and, in that aspect, it's good! The writing is beautiful and I liked having different POVs. I just got a bit bored and would have preferred to have everything a bit more tied up.
Anyway, because of that back cover, I thought the book would center around Frank and Elsa's developing relationship and that
I think the author intended for it to be a character study and, in that aspect, it's good! The writing is beautiful and I liked having different POVs. I just got a bit bored and would have preferred to have everything a bit more tied up.
“You are the first inhabitant
I meet
In this new country.”
I meet
In this new country.”