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ash_2002's review against another edition
5.0
Horrifying and pragmatically incomprehensible. I need more Coetzee
kq5's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.0
befrankwithme's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
I wrote a review for this book but the app crashed and it got deleted. I can't be bothered writing it out again. Suffice to say I did not enjoy the experience of reading this book.
ebokhyllami's review against another edition
4.0
Underfundig bok som gjenspeiler de uløselige konfliktene som hersker mellom herre og slave, de mørke og kolonistene - her i et ukjent land sør i Afrika. Peppermøen Magda blir småskrullete av å bo med sin gamle far alene på sauefarmen sin 10 mil fra nærmeste nabo. Etterhvert vet ham ikke om det som skjer, sett fra Magdas perspektiv, foregår inni hodet hennes eller er virkelige hendelser. En forvirret verden, men klokt og innsiktsfullt skrevet.
Ekstern omtale: http://ebokhyllami.blogspot.no/2015/06/1001-boka-i-det-mrke-landet-av-jm.html
Ekstern omtale: http://ebokhyllami.blogspot.no/2015/06/1001-boka-i-det-mrke-landet-av-jm.html
generalheff's review against another edition
2.0
At times a beautiful book, but much of the time I had that nagging feeling that I was missing something. Perhaps it’s my lack of knowledge of South African history, perhaps my obtuseness, but ultimately I never quite connected with the themes I could feel lurking under the surface of this simple book about a man journeying around the country at the mercy of everyone he meets.
In the end I came to the conclusion that the man represents in part the country as a whole - perhaps its original identity, which is weak and broken after years of colonial rule and abuse. The various other actors - the rebels, the soldiers, the infirmary doctor - can then all be seen to be other aspects of either the external environment or the country’s other facets. But I was never quite convinced of this view and so came out of reading this book a little confused and unsatisfied.
Ignoring my worries about themes (I presumably represent the pesky doctor in part 2 who insists on interpreting Michael K and drives him away) I still did not really settle into the book. It dragged at times; perhaps the unusualness of the pseudo-protagonist prevented me really being drawn in while maybe a 21st century, British lack of identification with the book put up more barriers to really feeling immersed in the book limited my enjoyment.
Whatever the cause, I just didn’t really enjoy this book. A let down from the the similarly eerily haunting “Waiting for the barbarians” by Coetzee, but that was much more engaging and rewarding.
In the end I came to the conclusion that the man represents in part the country as a whole - perhaps its original identity, which is weak and broken after years of colonial rule and abuse. The various other actors - the rebels, the soldiers, the infirmary doctor - can then all be seen to be other aspects of either the external environment or the country’s other facets. But I was never quite convinced of this view and so came out of reading this book a little confused and unsatisfied.
Ignoring my worries about themes (I presumably represent the pesky doctor in part 2 who insists on interpreting Michael K and drives him away) I still did not really settle into the book. It dragged at times; perhaps the unusualness of the pseudo-protagonist prevented me really being drawn in while maybe a 21st century, British lack of identification with the book put up more barriers to really feeling immersed in the book limited my enjoyment.
Whatever the cause, I just didn’t really enjoy this book. A let down from the the similarly eerily haunting “Waiting for the barbarians” by Coetzee, but that was much more engaging and rewarding.
breadforsong's review against another edition
2.0
Most of this book I didn't understand, and what I did understand disturbed me.
kk0sanda's review against another edition
I don’t feel like reading a white man’s perspective of South Africa.
serrasa's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0