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marleens's review against another edition
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I picked this one up on impulse in a second hand bookstore. It’s far outside my usual reading comfort zone, being Flemish literary fiction. I enjoyed the episodic nature of the story, little peeks into this childhood in a dysfunctional but strong family, in a small town, surrounded by lots of bars. I think Verhulst is an excellent author, capable of setting a vivid scene and writing memorable characters. But a lot of of the stories got a bit too much for me with all the drinking and grossness that came along with that. Still, I enjoyed my time with it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Vomit, and Animal death
Moderate: Domestic abuse
lisanne111's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
joopk's review against another edition
4.0
It's a bit of a weird, dirty book on the one hand, but also funny and pathetic on the other.
livelybluish's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sniff sniff
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Sexism
acinthedc's review against another edition
2.0
This novel alternately reads like a memoir and a collection of short stories with the same cast of characters visited at different points in time. The Verhulst clan is composed of men who drink too much and behave badly and the matriarch who indulges them. There are some funny moments, but I found the book to be rather bleak.
gisele's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
clarereadstheworld's review against another edition
4.0
This book is not a happy book.
.
Set in a poor neighbourhood in Belgium this book follows the childhood of Dimmy, living with his alcoholic Dad and uncles, and his poor grandmother who has given up trying to save her sons. As Dimmy is in his early teens, he likes he has a great life. He finds his drunken relatives antics hilarious, loves it when they take him to the pub with them, and has no issues only eating greasy food and sleeping all day. .
This book does not shy away from the ugly details of living with alcoholism. While Dimmy may find it hilarious, the reader grows increasingly uncomfortable with the goings on and worried for the welfare of Dimmy who clearly has no one looking out for his best interests.
.
Spolier Alert ! Dimmy finally gets taken into care, gets his life together, and years later comes back to visit his Dad and uncles. For them nothing has changed, they are still drinking in the same pubs night after night, and the enormous gap between their lives and Dimmy's is uncomfortably obvious to everyone.
.
The Misfortunates is not an easy read, but a beautifully accurate portrayal of growing up in difficult circumstances, and the survivors guilt often felt by those who do manage to get out and improve their lives. Moving, and thought-provoking. And definitely not what I was expecting from Belgium! .
.
Set in a poor neighbourhood in Belgium this book follows the childhood of Dimmy, living with his alcoholic Dad and uncles, and his poor grandmother who has given up trying to save her sons. As Dimmy is in his early teens, he likes he has a great life. He finds his drunken relatives antics hilarious, loves it when they take him to the pub with them, and has no issues only eating greasy food and sleeping all day. .
This book does not shy away from the ugly details of living with alcoholism. While Dimmy may find it hilarious, the reader grows increasingly uncomfortable with the goings on and worried for the welfare of Dimmy who clearly has no one looking out for his best interests.
.
Spolier Alert ! Dimmy finally gets taken into care, gets his life together, and years later comes back to visit his Dad and uncles. For them nothing has changed, they are still drinking in the same pubs night after night, and the enormous gap between their lives and Dimmy's is uncomfortably obvious to everyone.
.
The Misfortunates is not an easy read, but a beautifully accurate portrayal of growing up in difficult circumstances, and the survivors guilt often felt by those who do manage to get out and improve their lives. Moving, and thought-provoking. And definitely not what I was expecting from Belgium! .