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3.35 AVERAGE
3.35 AVERAGE
This was kinda a weird book but very enjoyable! Martel is an amazing writer that paints such a beautiful picture with his words that I was mesmerized by the story! I have a weird relationship with magical realism but I enjoyed how the author built this one up!
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The book takes place in the High Mountains of Portugal, with three different but connected stories that takes place in the span of decades. I love historical fiction that connects between generations! It starts with a young main journeying up to the mountains to find something in a church, and then shows this connection throughout the book. I loved the mysterious connections that the reader had to put together. The beginning started out a bit slow but definitely picked up! I also loved the Canadian connection with one of the characters living in Canada and then going back to his homeland, Portugal! I definitely recommend this book if you love historical fiction with hints of magical realism!
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The book takes place in the High Mountains of Portugal, with three different but connected stories that takes place in the span of decades. I love historical fiction that connects between generations! It starts with a young main journeying up to the mountains to find something in a church, and then shows this connection throughout the book. I loved the mysterious connections that the reader had to put together. The beginning started out a bit slow but definitely picked up! I also loved the Canadian connection with one of the characters living in Canada and then going back to his homeland, Portugal! I definitely recommend this book if you love historical fiction with hints of magical realism!
A few days later and a night of book club discussion and I still can't say whether or not I liked this book. Worth the read though.... If you can get past all of the car talk.
This novel was stunning and magical. I love how Martel weaves the three sections together. I highly recommend this book.
First off, I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway so this review is of the unedited advanced reading copy.
The High Mountains of Portugal is a beautifully written piece, I was captivated within the first few pages. The descriptions were detailed in a way that I always had an image of what was going on. Overall it was a pleasant read that was thought provoking and enjoyable at the same time.
The book is written in three different segments, each an individual story, but they are all tied together through characters, places, and symbolism. I think that every reader is going to find that they enjoy certain segments more than others. Personally, I liked part one best. Tomas' misadventures through the high mountains of Portugal on his quest to find a world-shattering artifact was humorous and captivating. I read this in one sitting.
Part two was also quite good, but it definitely is a more difficult read. In part two, Martel delves into the theology of Christianity and Agatha Christie, drawing interesting connections. I don't want to include any spoilers, but let's just say that the last few pages will leave you in speechless confusion and continual reflection. Trust me.
Finally, I found part three to be light again, but it was probably my least favourite. Peter and Odo are an amusing pair and their story is fun but it gets a bit tedious after a while. I didn't feel that I needed to know all of the small details of each day of their lives together.
In the end, though, I was pleased this story that Martel has woven together. There is a lot of symbolism and opportunity for deeper thought into the meaning and intent of the story while also keeping a balance of interesting writing and plot line to keep the reader interested.
The High Mountains of Portugal is a beautifully written piece, I was captivated within the first few pages. The descriptions were detailed in a way that I always had an image of what was going on. Overall it was a pleasant read that was thought provoking and enjoyable at the same time.
The book is written in three different segments, each an individual story, but they are all tied together through characters, places, and symbolism. I think that every reader is going to find that they enjoy certain segments more than others. Personally, I liked part one best. Tomas' misadventures through the high mountains of Portugal on his quest to find a world-shattering artifact was humorous and captivating. I read this in one sitting.
Part two was also quite good, but it definitely is a more difficult read. In part two, Martel delves into the theology of Christianity and Agatha Christie, drawing interesting connections. I don't want to include any spoilers, but let's just say that the last few pages will leave you in speechless confusion and continual reflection. Trust me.
Finally, I found part three to be light again, but it was probably my least favourite. Peter and Odo are an amusing pair and their story is fun but it gets a bit tedious after a while. I didn't feel that I needed to know all of the small details of each day of their lives together.
In the end, though, I was pleased this story that Martel has woven together. There is a lot of symbolism and opportunity for deeper thought into the meaning and intent of the story while also keeping a balance of interesting writing and plot line to keep the reader interested.
Brilliantly crafted, inventive characters, and executed with a flair of the surreal, The High Mountains of Portugal by Yann Martel is a deep exploration of the nature of grief and religion. I absolutely loved this book, as it simultaneously entertained and enlightened me. Presented in a series of three novellas, which connect in startling and poetic ways. All take place in the high mountains of Portugal. They deal with a man struck by grief into walking backwards, a philosophical discussion of the essence of faith framed by mystery writing, and the simple story of a man’s journey with his monkey. Along the way we are pulled into this surreal and magical world, where loss changes our lives in ways we could never imagine.
Of the three novellas, I enjoyed the third the most and liked the second the least. I think the style of the third was the most similar to The Life of Pi, while the second felt a lot like a philosophical essay to me. The only thing that saved the second story for me was the twist at the end.
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/review-high-mountains-portugal-yann-martel/
Of the three novellas, I enjoyed the third the most and liked the second the least. I think the style of the third was the most similar to The Life of Pi, while the second felt a lot like a philosophical essay to me. The only thing that saved the second story for me was the twist at the end.
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/review-high-mountains-portugal-yann-martel/
I think had I been in a different frame of mind or in my 20's, I would have enjoyed this. As it is this book has firmly made me realise that I am burnt out on twee literary novels. I was suspecting it when I started and the dude that was walking backwards in his sorrow simply made me roll my eyes and think of a photoset that had titles of literary novels like "Misunderstood white man standing by a lake" or "Tragic event brings dysfunctional family together".
Maybe I've read too much high brow literature in the past little while, but this didn't move me or amuse me. It rather irritated me and made me feel like I've read this far too often and in better novels.
Maybe I've read too much high brow literature in the past little while, but this didn't move me or amuse me. It rather irritated me and made me feel like I've read this far too often and in better novels.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This might be my favorite book. I've read it again and again. Masterful storytelling.
