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olya_hakob's review against another edition
First, you may wonder whether it's really Patrick Süskind you're reading: charming childhood stories, light-hearted humor, colors and sounds. Then with a masterful lightness, he drops you in the middle of an existential crisis.
We never learn why Mister Summer had this unsatiated urge to always walk, what was it that he was trying to escape? Every now and then we get some hints of his sorrow, like when he's walking alone in the storm and just wants to be left alone, when he sighs in the forest or when we hear rumors that his wife has died. His unusual coping mechanism gives rise to all kinds of speculations (he might be claustrophobic and that's why he can never stay at home), yet nobody directly asks him. This might be read as a story portraying society's indifference and that would be true to some extent. Yet, the people in the story are not evil or mean, they are just regular people who may not know how to handle unusual behavior. Mr. Summer is left alone, as he had asked.
As sad as the whole situation was, I liked how the story ended. Not the fact that Mr. Summer walked into the lake to meet his end (that was very sad) but the fact that the author maintained the character's agency. There was something that was to heavy for Mr. Summer to bear any longer and his end was as dignified as his patience was.
We never learn why Mister Summer had this unsatiated urge to always walk, what was it that he was trying to escape? Every now and then we get some hints of his sorrow, like when he's walking alone in the storm and just wants to be left alone, when he sighs in the forest or when we hear rumors that his wife has died. His unusual coping mechanism gives rise to all kinds of speculations (he might be claustrophobic and that's why he can never stay at home), yet nobody directly asks him. This might be read as a story portraying society's indifference and that would be true to some extent. Yet, the people in the story are not evil or mean, they are just regular people who may not know how to handle unusual behavior. Mr. Summer is left alone, as he had asked.
As sad as the whole situation was, I liked how the story ended. Not the fact that Mr. Summer walked into the lake to meet his end (that was very sad) but the fact that the author maintained the character's agency. There was something that was to heavy for Mr. Summer to bear any longer and his end was as dignified as his patience was.
niaaaaa's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
aylma's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Short and sweet reflection. Didn’t find myself bored of it at any point, could have read the whole thing through in one go! Sometimes all you need is something charming and simple. The illustrations are also very fitting.
lubmed's review against another edition
4.0
Mucho para desempacar:
*El paralelismo entre el sr. Sommer y la infancia del protagonista, cómo parecen conectarse e influenciarse justo en momentos claves para los dos. La historia del señor Sommer es también la historia del protagonista, su crecimiento y el abandono de su niñez.
*El señor "verano" que vive en un invierno emocional eterno, y parece querer escapar de la muerte tanto como de la vida.
*La búsqueda de formas de "volar" del protagonista, desde los árboles a andar en bici. ¿Quizás la caminata del sr. Sommer era su forma de volar/liberarse del peso de la vida?
*El silencioso pacto del protagonista para con el Sr. Sommer en lo último, de guardar su final en secreto, porque parece que nadie más en el pueblo iba a comprender lo que pasó de la misma manera. El protagonista era el que más conocía el sufrimiento de Sommer, y por eso puede entender la dirección que toma.
*Las ilustraciones, infantiles y un poco oscuras, como el libro en sí, con su narración alegre y los temas oscuros que toca.
*etc. Me gustó mucho, fue una experiencia intensa que te toca una fibra sensible, más si experimentaste desilusiones fuertes con el mundo, la gente, o incluso depresión.
*El paralelismo entre el sr. Sommer y la infancia del protagonista, cómo parecen conectarse e influenciarse justo en momentos claves para los dos. La historia del señor Sommer es también la historia del protagonista, su crecimiento y el abandono de su niñez.
*El señor "verano" que vive en un invierno emocional eterno, y parece querer escapar de la muerte tanto como de la vida.
*La búsqueda de formas de "volar" del protagonista, desde los árboles a andar en bici. ¿Quizás la caminata del sr. Sommer era su forma de volar/liberarse del peso de la vida?
*El silencioso pacto del protagonista para con el Sr. Sommer en lo último, de guardar su final en secreto, porque parece que nadie más en el pueblo iba a comprender lo que pasó de la misma manera. El protagonista era el que más conocía el sufrimiento de Sommer, y por eso puede entender la dirección que toma.
*Las ilustraciones, infantiles y un poco oscuras, como el libro en sí, con su narración alegre y los temas oscuros que toca.
*etc. Me gustó mucho, fue una experiencia intensa que te toca una fibra sensible, más si experimentaste desilusiones fuertes con el mundo, la gente, o incluso depresión.
kaka66's review against another edition
dark
lighthearted
fast-paced
- 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
psinoza's review against another edition
5.0
ilkokuldayken okumuş olmam gerek. petzold'un undine filmini izleyince aklıma geldi. çocukluğumun en kıymetli metinlerinden.
nikomitk's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Easy Read and enjoyable
alekspartina's review
A genuine, touching and extremely sad story. Definitely, recommend reading.
robertt's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I really enjoyed reading this lighthearted book. The first person narrator a young boy explains his childhood of climbing trees and learning how to ride his mother's bike. He tells us also about his piano lessons with an old grim lady. He even tries to plan his way home with a girl he's interested in. She rejects him by finding an excuse, even though he waited for her.
The second protagonist of this book, Mr. Summer is constantly walking around the lake. We never get to know his motivation to do so.
One day when the first person narrator tries to kill himself over a dispute with the old lady by jumping off a tree, he observes Mr. Summer resting and gasping down next to the tree.
The last time the boy sees Mr. Summer alive is when the man walks down the lake. He goes deeper into the water until his appearence is none existent. Then nobody remembers him. Only his landlord is influenced by his disapperence.
The second protagonist of this book, Mr. Summer is constantly walking around the lake. We never get to know his motivation to do so.
One day when the first person narrator tries to kill himself over a dispute with the old lady by jumping off a tree, he observes Mr. Summer resting and gasping down next to the tree.
The last time the boy sees Mr. Summer alive is when the man walks down the lake. He goes deeper into the water until his appearence is none existent. Then nobody remembers him. Only his landlord is influenced by his disapperence.
eliathereader's review against another edition
3.0
En az sevdiğim Süskind kitabı oldu ama yüne de severek okudum.