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pixie_d's review
4.0
This was a book discussion group selection. I was glad they picked it because when I saw the movie it didn't occur to me to look for a book. the book gets more into the character's inner thoughts, and into the backstory of the wife, who here is a rich American girl from historical Pasadena. More in the book about the process of making art than there is in the movie, which I also liked. The story is supposed to be about real people, but it is such an imaginative work that it's hard to imagine what parts were "real." That may sound strange, but it's a compliment to the writing.
haleymowatt's review against another edition
3.0
When I first closed this book after finishing it, I was ready to jump on here, press the five stars, then move on with my day. As I sat in my kitchen thinking about the beautiful writing and vivid imagery that pulled me along through the book, I realized how trivial the main idea was. The idea of identity is a complex topic to contemplate, let alone write a whole book about. Ebershoff did an amazing job a exploring this thing that affects us all; "Each of us is defined by our own past, but also by that of our family and lovers and friends and enemies, as well as our country and civilization," and "A novel is written so nothing can be lost," he explains in the introduction.
Unfortunately I did find my self zoning out while reading this book and having to go back and read entire sections, something that I think could have been prevented if there had been less "fluff" that didn't necessarily add to the story itself. The ending wasn't the sort of cliff hanger that left me in awe wondering how I can continue on without knowing what happened, but more an ending that felt like a dull meal that left me very unsatisfied. Nevertheless, I would recommend reading this book because it brings a new - at least new for me - way of expanding on the feelings of being a transgender person in society.
Unfortunately I did find my self zoning out while reading this book and having to go back and read entire sections, something that I think could have been prevented if there had been less "fluff" that didn't necessarily add to the story itself. The ending wasn't the sort of cliff hanger that left me in awe wondering how I can continue on without knowing what happened, but more an ending that felt like a dull meal that left me very unsatisfied. Nevertheless, I would recommend reading this book because it brings a new - at least new for me - way of expanding on the feelings of being a transgender person in society.
proseandpostre's review against another edition
4.0
“The rail was bubbling with rust, and it smelled of salt, and Greta wrapped both hands around it as she watched Lily slip across the bridge, across the Inderhavn, the tail of her scarf fluttering like a child’s hand, waving goodbye.”
This is why I read! What a beautiful thing it is, to dive into a book and come up on the other side seeing through someone else’s eyes, feeling someone else’s emotions, carrying their thoughts in my head. Lili’s story was wrought with emotions, highs and lows, barely living to living as her most authentic self.
Normally I’d be upset at not having a clear finish but I appreciated it here.
This is why I read! What a beautiful thing it is, to dive into a book and come up on the other side seeing through someone else’s eyes, feeling someone else’s emotions, carrying their thoughts in my head. Lili’s story was wrought with emotions, highs and lows, barely living to living as her most authentic self.
Normally I’d be upset at not having a clear finish but I appreciated it here.
amyvogels's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a very easy read, i read it two days prior to seeing the film and i enjoyed the film so much more for doing so. However, as i knew what would happen in the end, i started tearing up early on in the movie - which only confused and made my mother tense for scenes which weren't at all saddening. Thoroughly enjoyed the film adaption and the changes that were made to the ending - finishing the book i was left heart-broken and extremely sad, as opposed to leaving the film still sad (i'm an emotional wreck) but light-hearted. Enjoyed both the book and the film adaption!
lissac's review
5.0
The Danish Girl has gotten quite a bit of press lately. A movie starring Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander was recently released and has earned several Oscar nominations. The Danish Girl is a fictionalized story of Lili Elbe, one of the first people known to have gender reassignment surgery, and her life growing up as Einar Wegener and his wife Greta Wegener. When Greta is realizes her husband’s desires, she encourages him to be himself. The novel is a beautiful story about what love is and just how far true love extends. This is not a book about just romantic love, but about love for and complete acceptance of a person and their soul. It’s about love at it’s most selfless point (a concept I heard did not necessarily make it into the movie, but I have not seen it myself).
8cht's review
4.0
Spannend. Das offene Ende frustriert etwas aber andererseits besser als das befürchtete schlechte Ende (das durch das offene Ende eben unausgesprochen in der Luft liegt)
baharshahraki's review
4.0
چقدر تموم مدت خوندنش از اعماق قلبم برای گردا اشک ریختم. واسه کسایی که هنوز این کتاب و نخوندم پیشنهادم اینه که فیلمشو ببینن. بازیگرا عالی بودن