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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I found the last third of this book very engaging and thoughtful about the impact of the reunification of Germany on the citizens of the East, especially those nearing the end of their careers.
The first third was engaging in a different way, creating a vivid picture of life in East Berlin and the beginnings of an intense and unhealthy relationship.
However, the middle third needed heavy editing in my opinion! The toxicity of the relationship and the despicable character of Hans, alongside descriptions of reaching adulthood in East Germany dragged in this section and could have been conveyed alongside the content of the first third in a way that was as engaging as the start and end of this novel.
While it’s left me plenty to reflect on, and lots of disgust for Hans, this isn’t a novel I will return to or remember fondly.
The first third was engaging in a different way, creating a vivid picture of life in East Berlin and the beginnings of an intense and unhealthy relationship.
However, the middle third needed heavy editing in my opinion! The toxicity of the relationship and the despicable character of Hans, alongside descriptions of reaching adulthood in East Germany dragged in this section and could have been conveyed alongside the content of the first third in a way that was as engaging as the start and end of this novel.
While it’s left me plenty to reflect on, and lots of disgust for Hans, this isn’t a novel I will return to or remember fondly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship
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
I liked the first third or so. The remainder really really dragged on.
The writing style was interesting but quite laborious to read and to follow what actually was happening. There were some beautiful sentences and paragraphs, but also a lot that just felt a bit fluffy. I can see why it won the international booker but I don't think it was for me
The writing style was interesting but quite laborious to read and to follow what actually was happening. There were some beautiful sentences and paragraphs, but also a lot that just felt a bit fluffy. I can see why it won the international booker but I don't think it was for me
dark
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:
Complicated
dark
emotional
funny
sad
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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
Loved the insights into life in former East Berlin just before and after the fall of the wall. Really didn’t like the obsessive relationship between a 19 year old woman and a 50+ year old married man.
I don't generally bother writing negative reviews because what's the point, but this was a truly awful reading experience. Prose was borderline unreadable, storyline equal parts infuriating and boring, main characters insufferable. Etc etc etc. I think I knew I was going to hate it about 50 pages in, so I guess my question is was it worth finishing it?
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This one was very difficult for me—an interesting dip into East Berlin of the 1980s and early 90s, but I found Katherina so naive and Hans so disturbing… and then that ending! I need someone to explain this book to me.
I thought it was so well crafted and I enjoyed it, even when it got very unpleasant in the middle. Only minor issue was that I discovered I clearly don't know enough about Germany post-WWII. It has definitely made me curious about the GDR and I'll probably do more reading around but there were chunks of the story where I was fully lost. And one of those chunks was the end. I had to google "kairos jenny erpenbeck ending" just to check that I'd followed it correctly. But that's a me problem.