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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
reflective
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
slow-paced
I didn’t really understand all the references, the author is obviously very knowledgable on German history and I’m not. The writing style caught me off guard and made it hard to read. The ‘romance’ parts were interesting because of how it unfolds and how toxic it is. Hans made me wanna throw the book to the other side of the room.
So all in all I understand what she was trying to do but it wasn’t really for me
So all in all I understand what she was trying to do but it wasn’t really for me
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I found the 'romantic' relationship that this book centers around very disturbing to read at times (men are gross) but the historical background was fascinating
challenging
dark
emotional
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
dark
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have really mixed feelings about this book. The prose is gorgeous, and I found the book very compelling - I couldn't stop reading. On the other hand, though, the subject matter left me feeling pretty gross, so it wasn't exactly an enjoyable read.
I think each reader's understanding of what the book is trying to do will significantly affect their rating. If it's a story of a woman reflecting nostalgically-but-with-complex-feelings on a former love affair, it's a miss because of how problematic that affair is. If it's a book about a toxic and abusive relationship and its ultimate breakdown, set against the backdrop of the simultaneous breakdown of East Germany, it's a success. I'm inclined to think it's the latter; however, because Erpenbeck presents no straightforward or easy answers, it has shades of the former. I appreciate the ambiguity - this is part of what makes it a brilliantly written book! But it also makes it difficult to rate it higher.
I think each reader's understanding of what the book is trying to do will significantly affect their rating. If it's a story of a woman reflecting nostalgically-but-with-complex-feelings on a former love affair, it's a miss because of how problematic that affair is. If it's a book about a toxic and abusive relationship and its ultimate breakdown, set against the backdrop of the simultaneous breakdown of East Germany, it's a success. I'm inclined to think it's the latter; however, because Erpenbeck presents no straightforward or easy answers, it has shades of the former. I appreciate the ambiguity - this is part of what makes it a brilliantly written book! But it also makes it difficult to rate it higher.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Alcohol
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Abortion, Pregnancy
Age gap relationship with power imbalance
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
slow-paced
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes