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bookishbee27's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
The good: I really liked the concept of Time Shelter as a memory clinic "stuck in time" and the writing really vividly brought these historical periods to life.
The not-so-good: I just found it very very slow going and the writing and dialogue quite stilted and dry. Unfortunately it wasn't particularly enjoyable to read.
Definitely an interesting concept and setting but a slog.
Graphic: Mental illness, Chronic illness, and Dementia
grunbean's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I think the blurb of the book does not do it justice. I would say that what it was advertised as is not necessarily what the book is.
It took a while for me to get into this. It has a lot of history and politics in it. I was a little disappointed that more of it wasn’t about these ‘clinics of the past’. However, that’s likely from the poor description of what you’re picking up.
I like it. Particularly in the last third of the book. It hits you with an interesting development. It would probably be more appealing to a person with a greater appreciation for European history and politics.
Moderate: Dementia
Minor: Genocide, Grief, Police brutality, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Abortion, Gun violence, War, Kidnapping, Mental illness, and Murder
synchronicity's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Dementia
tysuckz's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I loved the beginning, enjoyed the idea of the towns a lot and meeting the patients that lived in the clinics was sweet. However, I didn’t enjoy when it randomly went off the rails and suddenly there were 5000 referendums, so much historical talk & information about wars and leaders and political parties.
It did seem quite philosophical, which honestly I feel like my mind can’t quite grasp or maybe just doesn’t like to, but I enjoyed it all the same even if I didn’t understand some of the ramblings.
Loved the diary format, made for an interesting read and was refreshing from the usual following the main character around everywhere, all the time.
Some places it’s a little boring and others it’s really interesting! Gave us a 3 because the really interesting parts made for some great reading.
Also the translation of this book was pretty good in my opinion, usually I find translated books lose a lot of depth but this still felt very deep to me!
Graphic: War and Dementia
Minor: Suicide
caittothelin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Dementia and War
samsearle's review against another edition
- 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? N/A
3.75
Moderate: Dementia
Minor: Xenophobia, Antisemitism, and Violence
znvisser's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
Graphic: War and Dementia
Moderate: Violence
tigger89's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
The narration in this book is somewhat twisty and turny, not always easy to read. I had the most success once I managed to secure a narrative voice in my mind, but even so I frequently found myself re-reading passages to ensure I was following them correctly, particularly toward the beginning and end of the book. It can be challenging for sure, but I believe it's worth attempting if you're someone who wonders about themes such as nostalgia, the fallibility of memory, and the inherent discomfort of new experiences.
Graphic: Dementia
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.25
What to say about Time Shelter, winner of this years International Booker Prize, that hasn’t already been said? For me it wasn’t a story to sink into. Plot and character are not the main focus. Rather it is a book about ideas - especially time and memory at both the personal and national levels. What started as a story about a new way of helping people with Alzheimers - rooms replicating different historical eras so people could be immersed in whichever era they felt safest and most comfortable in - changed into a book dealing with European history, nationalism, patriotism, and the problems with nostalgia, with looking back to the past with rose-tinted glasses, particularly at a national and societal level. What might be good for dementia patients is anything but for society as a whole. At times I didn’t feel clever enough to read it, and I know I would discover more if I were to reread it.
It’s a book with plenty of layers and real depth, rich with intellectual meat and philosophical musings, and very timely given Brexit, MAGA and the like. A very worthy Booker winner.
Graphic: War and Dementia
abisnail564's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Dementia
Moderate: Violence and War