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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
I found this book, especially the first person narrator, to be far too strongly 'American male' to relate to or enjoy reading much. I came close to giving up on it, but stuck with it to keep reading about Sophie, who I found to be a much more interesting and deep character with a far more interesting story as a Polish survivor of Auschwitz. The first person narrator alternates between despairing over his sexual frustrations, writing the next big novel, and listening to Sophie gradually reveal more of her story, which is by far the most interesting to read about. Sophie has tried to repress her past due to the horror of seeing so much death in the camp, but eventually tells 'Stingo' all of the details, including the truly horrific choice she was forced to make. I am glad to have finished the book because it helped me to understand more about the Second World War in Europe, Sophie's character and story were engaging and tragic, and I can tick off another 'classic' from my list, but it was not one of my favourites and I won't be seeking out anything else from this author.
Fixation on sexuality, long-winded narration, and unlikeable main character made this read a slog for me.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship
Moderate: Hate crime, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Classism
Minor: Homophobia, Racism
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really shouldn't review this book, because, to be honest, I couldn't finish it. I tried....I really did....I know it's considered a classic, which is why I pushed myself to keep going. I just couldn't, though. I was fascinated by Sophie's story, but honestly couldn't care less about Stingo's, and there was way too much of his personal "issues" for me to keep interest. He was an extremely unlikeable character in my opinion, and it just turned me off of the whole book. I got about half-way through and realized I had way too many books on my Goodreads list that I really WANT to read, so I gave up on this one. I really hate to say this because it's just not right, but I will watch the movie instead. :(
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I had to think about how many stars this needed for over a week. The author is obviously talented, and ai usually love time hopping as a literary device, but the framing of the time hops in this one was confusing. I also did not think some of the storylines about Stingo trying to get laid added anything to the story. I did like how the author drew parallels between German Nazis and American slavery. More than anything, the best part of this story for me was the honest and realistic portrayal of Nathan's mental illness and the other characters' naivete regarding it.
"...far from my mind was any idea that Nathan - despite his manic tone of voice, the hectic oratory, the sweat, the walleyed expression, the frazzled tension, the whole portrait he presented of one whose entire nervous system down to its minutest ganglia was in the throes of a fiery convulsion- might be dangerously disturbed."
"...far from my mind was any idea that Nathan - despite his manic tone of voice, the hectic oratory, the sweat, the walleyed expression, the frazzled tension, the whole portrait he presented of one whose entire nervous system down to its minutest ganglia was in the throes of a fiery convulsion- might be dangerously disturbed."
Wow
From sexual frustration to the horrors of the holocaust.. yet so powerful - so mind numbing are humans. The choice. How to go on?!
From sexual frustration to the horrors of the holocaust.. yet so powerful - so mind numbing are humans. The choice. How to go on?!