Scan barcode
prestonj662's review against another edition
4.0
Told with the tenderness and femininity of a Jane Austen in many places. The author allows you to delve and explore the main characters’ consciousnesses, their feelings - what was spoken of and what was not - as Lili bloomed and Einar retreated.
jlosaw's review against another edition
4.0
A little slow at first, but by the end I was hooked. So beautiful and sad and fascinating.
kategci's review against another edition
4.0
Picked this up after seeing the author interview his client, the author, David Mitchell at the 92nd Street Y in NYC. It is set in Europe in the interwar period of the late 1920s-early 1930s and tells the story of artist Einar Wegener, who he was and who he became. It is told through the the lens of his marriage and David Ebershoff writes beautifully about their very unusual situation. This novel, where most of the characters and situations are made up, tells of the longing and love that are part of the human experience and the loss and sadness that come when feelings never were or no longer are mutual. Knowing that the movie is coming out, I did read it thinking about the characters' portrayals as well as the scenes and settings and wondering if the beauty of the book will be captured on film.
ajreader's review
3.0
Read my full thoughts on this book and hundreds more over at Read.Write.Repeat.
As I try to read more books about people very different than me, this story about a transgender artist fit the bill perfectly. This book stretched me. It made me uncomfortable at times, as I expected it to. Ultimately, it's a well-written, compelling story about love and hope and loss and people. It definitely gave me some food for thought.
As I try to read more books about people very different than me, this story about a transgender artist fit the bill perfectly. This book stretched me. It made me uncomfortable at times, as I expected it to. Ultimately, it's a well-written, compelling story about love and hope and loss and people. It definitely gave me some food for thought.
jayceecee0716's review against another edition
5.0
What a beautiful story of love and commitment trials that I doubt many could imagine today, must less almost 80 years. Einar was surrounded by people who loved and understood him and his journey to find and become his true self.
Greta, was beautifully portrayed in a wonderful homage to a woman who let almost nothing come between her and her devotion to Einar and Lili; she unfortunately was not so fairly treated in the annals of history.
Well written, easily flowing story that you won't want to put down.
Greta, was beautifully portrayed in a wonderful homage to a woman who let almost nothing come between her and her devotion to Einar and Lili; she unfortunately was not so fairly treated in the annals of history.
Well written, easily flowing story that you won't want to put down.
nivadahl's review against another edition
4.0
I came across this book after seeing a show about Einar/Lili, called Sommerfugl (Danish word for "Butterfly", a fitting metaphor for Lili). I thought the show was beautiful and wanted to know more about Einar/Lili, so I read this book. Ultimately a tender and touching novel about love and self-discovery.
Though I enjoyed the book as a whole, there are clearly problematic elements. The seperation of Einar and Lili as different people residing in the same body seemed off to me from what I know of the transsexual experience. Yet I am willing to give the author the benefit of the doubt and assume that it's the way Lili described her experiences in her diary. Watching the show I could feel myself rooting for Lili and Gerda, that same enthusiasm wasn't as prominent while reading the book.
All in all a very touching and enjoyable read about a very important subject.
Though I enjoyed the book as a whole, there are clearly problematic elements. The seperation of Einar and Lili as different people residing in the same body seemed off to me from what I know of the transsexual experience. Yet I am willing to give the author the benefit of the doubt and assume that it's the way Lili described her experiences in her diary. Watching the show I could feel myself rooting for Lili and Gerda, that same enthusiasm wasn't as prominent while reading the book.
All in all a very touching and enjoyable read about a very important subject.
lorettalucia's review
2.0
Meh. This book was written with no warmth or love for its characters, who were largely ciphers with only one or two distinguishing characteristics apiece. I can't help but think this novel did disservice to the true story.
I will still try to watch the movie because I imagine a decent director and skilled actors (like Redmayne and Vikander) could bring life to this book that left me so cold.
⭐⭐
I will still try to watch the movie because I imagine a decent director and skilled actors (like Redmayne and Vikander) could bring life to this book that left me so cold.
⭐⭐
bigdreamer_897's review against another edition
3.0
Dopo aver letto la storia di Lili Elbe su una rivista, David Ebershoff decide di scrivere un romanzo che celebri questa pioniera del mondo trasgender.
Descrive come tutto sia iniziato quasi per caso, quando Greta chiede al marito Einar di posare in abiti femminili, per aiutarla a terminare il ritratto che stava dipingendo. Da lì inizia un lungo e difficile percorso, che porta Einar a scoprire che dentro di lui vive Lili, che lui è Lili.
Non conoscevo la storia di Lili, e forse mi aspettavo di più dal romanzo, ma in fondo, essendo ispirato a una storia vera , accaduta quasi cento anni fa, non ci si può aspettare di più e di meglio
Descrive come tutto sia iniziato quasi per caso, quando Greta chiede al marito Einar di posare in abiti femminili, per aiutarla a terminare il ritratto che stava dipingendo. Da lì inizia un lungo e difficile percorso, che porta Einar a scoprire che dentro di lui vive Lili, che lui è Lili.
Non conoscevo la storia di Lili, e forse mi aspettavo di più dal romanzo, ma in fondo, essendo ispirato a una storia vera , accaduta quasi cento anni fa, non ci si può aspettare di più e di meglio
maizu's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Ihana, koskettava ja aidon oloinen.
Tarinan kerronta oli mieleeni; välillä hypättiin menneessä tapahtuneeseen ja takaisin. Sekä ympäristöä ja tuntemuksia kuvailtiin niin, että pystyi itsekkin ne mielikuvituksessa näkemään/tuntemaan.
Tämä on kirja jonka ehdottomasti luen uudelleen.
Tarinan kerronta oli mieleeni; välillä hypättiin menneessä tapahtuneeseen ja takaisin. Sekä ympäristöä ja tuntemuksia kuvailtiin niin, että pystyi itsekkin ne mielikuvituksessa näkemään/tuntemaan.
Tämä on kirja jonka ehdottomasti luen uudelleen.
feglet98's review
4.0
Wow, what a powerful book. It is compelling and fascinating and given the time in which it is set, quite an incredible story.