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heyfarahey's review
adventurous
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nooriehussain's review
i found this book incredibly slow, and honestly too convoluted at parts. i had high hopes for this book, and was excited to read it, yet found myself quite disappointed and let down by the pace and lack of character connection.
e_f_p21's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
regankj's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
thepoisonwoodreader's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
rat_reads's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
wisteriaearl's review
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
3.0
The story is told in a non-linear vignette style. It's a unique style and Meyer writes very distinctively. The characters talk and think like teenagers from pre-German Reunification. He also portrays the poverty in the poorer regions of Lelpzig well. The setting was well established but I found the characters rather weak. Especially the supporting characters who felt one-note and barely serviceable.
I found it difficult to get attached to the main characters because it felt like I didn't really know them. It's strange because the length of the novel warrants an understanding. But I didn't get the "bond" these boys had with each other. There wasn't a chapter where I felt like I understood their friendship.
I recognized the themes Meyer was trying to portray but his portrayal didn't resonate with me. It was episodic and feelings didn't linger with each chapter. Things were happening in the story but there was no weight to it. They felt so fleeting.
I found it difficult to get attached to the main characters because it felt like I didn't really know them. It's strange because the length of the novel warrants an understanding. But I didn't get the "bond" these boys had with each other. There wasn't a chapter where I felt like I understood their friendship.
I recognized the themes Meyer was trying to portray but his portrayal didn't resonate with me. It was episodic and feelings didn't linger with each chapter. Things were happening in the story but there was no weight to it. They felt so fleeting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Fatphobia
kittylake's review
2.0
*2023 Longlist International Booker*
It's easy to draw comparisons with this and Trainspotting and Catcher in the Rye and Clockwork Orange... I guess I don't know why we need another book from a teenage boy misogynistic perspective on porn, sex and women (including littering the first 50 pages with enough descriptions of 13 year old girls tits to satisfy a paedo or immature boy)... there was the odd interesting moment but this book is almost 600 pages and lacks a soul. I found it dull and pointless. It was a long meandering tail about shitting boys growing into shitty men enjoying (mostly) behaving shittily to those around them. It's difficult to empathise or sympathise or just care. Ugh. What was the point of this? Maybe it's interesting if you're into the books I've compared it to or if you were also born around the mid-70s... I just didn't find this compelling or interesting.
It's easy to draw comparisons with this and Trainspotting and Catcher in the Rye and Clockwork Orange... I guess I don't know why we need another book from a teenage boy misogynistic perspective on porn, sex and women (including littering the first 50 pages with enough descriptions of 13 year old girls tits to satisfy a paedo or immature boy)... there was the odd interesting moment but this book is almost 600 pages and lacks a soul. I found it dull and pointless. It was a long meandering tail about shitting boys growing into shitty men enjoying (mostly) behaving shittily to those around them. It's difficult to empathise or sympathise or just care. Ugh. What was the point of this? Maybe it's interesting if you're into the books I've compared it to or if you were also born around the mid-70s... I just didn't find this compelling or interesting.
booksnpunks's review
3.0
God this book is so long. There were sections I enjoyed particularly during the beginning when the characters were younger and they were drinking and getting up to all sorts of antics. The whole book really reminded me of a German version of Trainspotting, especially in terms of how the book explored masculinity, male friendship and drug use. I just thought the book was so long and dragged on a lot. I had to take loads of breaks from it because I found myself getting bored. There’s not really a solid plot but the characters and strange writing propels you through however sometimes it wasn’t enough.
I see why it was nominated for the International Booker this year however can’t say I truly loved it, but it really is a feat to read and I’m glad I gave it a go finally.
I see why it was nominated for the International Booker this year however can’t say I truly loved it, but it really is a feat to read and I’m glad I gave it a go finally.