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ac14g10's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
danthompson1877's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.75
I wish my first novel was this good, John x
ame3_33's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Una storia incentrata sulla figura di un pittore, raccontata mediante un diario e gli occhi di un suo amico. Interessante per le argomentazioni riguardanti l'arte e la vita di un pittore sconosciuto senza "casa". Per il finale avrei preferito qualcosa di diverso.
kdog's review
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
eiseneisen's review against another edition
3.0
This was a very unique reading experience for me. Never before have I read a book that I thought could easily and justifiably be given 1 star by some readers and 5 stars by others. Never before have I been so impressed by an author and a book, but also been so ambivalent about reading it.
A Painter of Our Time is short novel---about 170 pages---and it took me about 6 weeks (or 5 and a half weeks too long) to finish. I just never felt a particular urge to continue reading. The novel does not invite any emotional connection or investment. It was in no way an immersive reading experience---the reading experience was more like witnessing something from afar, as a spectator.
The novel focuses on a gifted artist's perspective on his creative process and on the politics of Eastern Europe in the 1950s---2 subjects about which I am completely naive, and that do not particularly interest me. Nevertheless, I found the book to be almost ceaselessly interesting, and thought several passages were exquisitely honest, insightful, and thought-provoking.
I truly believe A Painter of Our Time is a brilliant novel. It's also difficult for me to think of a single person to whom I'd recommend it. I mean, I would enthusiastically recommend it to anyone with a great interest in Art, or in the politics of Eastern Europe in the 1950s, but I can't think of anyone I know who can be described thusly.
I don't know. It's brilliant, for sure. I'm glad I read it. And I'm glad to be finished with it. On to the next!
A Painter of Our Time is short novel---about 170 pages---and it took me about 6 weeks (or 5 and a half weeks too long) to finish. I just never felt a particular urge to continue reading. The novel does not invite any emotional connection or investment. It was in no way an immersive reading experience---the reading experience was more like witnessing something from afar, as a spectator.
The novel focuses on a gifted artist's perspective on his creative process and on the politics of Eastern Europe in the 1950s---2 subjects about which I am completely naive, and that do not particularly interest me. Nevertheless, I found the book to be almost ceaselessly interesting, and thought several passages were exquisitely honest, insightful, and thought-provoking.
I truly believe A Painter of Our Time is a brilliant novel. It's also difficult for me to think of a single person to whom I'd recommend it. I mean, I would enthusiastically recommend it to anyone with a great interest in Art, or in the politics of Eastern Europe in the 1950s, but I can't think of anyone I know who can be described thusly.
I don't know. It's brilliant, for sure. I'm glad I read it. And I'm glad to be finished with it. On to the next!
aaronkarp123's review
slow-paced
5.0
This book paints a beautiful portrait of a man and his complex, often conflicting identities of artist, immigrant, socialist, dreamer, realist, friend, husband, teacher. His opinions on the meaning and purpose and practice of art are illuminating, even as they change day-to-day. His political notions are concrete and painfully urgent, and their connection to his position as an artist serve as the central motivating struggle of the novel. This is a book I will return to: for Berger's striking descriptions of the visual world, his clear and inspiring political theories, and for his exploration of the purpose of art in a revolution and of revolutionary art.
alundeberg's review against another edition
5.0
This slim volume should come with a seminar class of political and economic theory, philosophy, art and Soviet history, and existentialism. There is a lot to chew here. This is a deep reflection on what it means to be a man and an artist and his role in politics and society and the consequences of his choices. Berger's writing is clear and lean and captures human foibles with nuance.
I read this book while also listening to Irving Stone's The Agony and The Ecstasy: A Biographical Novel Of Michelangelo. The parallels are striking. Both the fictional Janos Lavin and MA strive to find the truth and message in their art, struggle to define who they are as men, and live in a time when the meaning of art is questioned (JL through the lens of Socialism and Capitalism; MA through the progressive ideas of Leonardo de Medici and the stinging religious asceticism of Fra Savanorola). But as MA's story is told in a straightforward manner, JL's truth is told "slant". There were some moments in the reading when I knew I was not getting the full measure of Lavin's thoughts and intents.
Definitely a mental challenge, but satisfying.
I read this book while also listening to Irving Stone's The Agony and The Ecstasy: A Biographical Novel Of Michelangelo. The parallels are striking. Both the fictional Janos Lavin and MA strive to find the truth and message in their art, struggle to define who they are as men, and live in a time when the meaning of art is questioned (JL through the lens of Socialism and Capitalism; MA through the progressive ideas of Leonardo de Medici and the stinging religious asceticism of Fra Savanorola). But as MA's story is told in a straightforward manner, JL's truth is told "slant". There were some moments in the reading when I knew I was not getting the full measure of Lavin's thoughts and intents.
Definitely a mental challenge, but satisfying.
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