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magicschooltokoro's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Moderate: Xenophobia, Genocide, Racial slurs, Antisemitism, Classism, Gaslighting, Ableism, Forced institutionalization, and War
From what I could understand from hearing the audio, the screen adaptation seems only superficial, using the main character in the commandant and his role as an overseer of a concentration camp. I could detect some ways this would've felt like an English novel and an Amis novel. The last chapter of the aftermath, post-war, has much reflection of German culture and history to it, as well as hints of liability for what the people allowed and accepted, which I think was the point of the novel. But it's rather hard me.to tell with audio, being hard of hearing and comprehending fully in this format. I found it often difficult to listen to, with the kind of official business discussion which was consistent throughout, which was not really in the film adaptation, only hinted at as a background thing to be ignored; and which only the audience, aware of historical record, was supposed to be privvy to. Not sure how I do feel, or how I should feel about this. I think I got the point of the film but not as much the source material novels, except the reflection from the last chapter, in the meaning of the title, The Zone of Interest. I wouldn't recommend for the casual novel reader, only for Amis fans, history buff, British novel enthusiasts, or those wanting to compare the film adaptation to its source material.
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