Reviews with content warning for Emotional abuse - Kairos

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Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Kairos by Jenny Erpenbeck

55 reviews

georgiarybanks's review against another edition

3.0

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Loveable characters: No

Content Warnings

tiuvi's review

3.5

dark emotional informative reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

globefish21's review against another edition

4.5

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: Yes

Content Warnings

odamargrethe's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark mysterious sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Content Warnings

loxeletters's review against another edition

5.0

dark reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

An incredibly well-constructed book. The intricate narrative style is quite self-referential, which makes for a more interesting reading experience, in my opinion. It of course also prominently references various works of literature, music and drama, most of which I was not familiar with - but it was done in a way that I never felt lost.

Before reading this book, I was mostly curious about the portrayal of the GDR, seeing as that was discussed controversially in German reviews. Personally, I don't see what all the fuss was about. It's a nuanced take, and I thought it was done quite well. One may even read the (toxic and doomed!) love story as a parable for the rise and fall of the GDR (as does Thomas Winkler in his review in taz; many other German critics do not entertain this idea), in which case it is incredibly GDR-critical. Our two main narrators are unreliable and especially Katharina's view is influenced by growing up in the GDR; her casual accounts of repression and censure make total sense. The story being told from a privileged perspective makes it no less realistic or valuable, especially seeing as it is strongly influenced by Erpenbeck's own background.

Going in, I didn't expect the relationship to be as brutally depressing. This obsessive, all-consuming dynamic was captured exceptionally well. It's a striking portrayal of toxic relationships and especially the dangers of relationships with strong power asymmetries. It's also torturous to read - though Erpenbeck's prose is amazing. My disdain for Hans grew with every page. Definitely major trigger warnings here.

All throughout that torturous second half of the book, I was hoping

for a cathartic ending, for Katharina to realise her predicament and to revolt against Hans. I can see why that wasn't a sensible conclusion to this story. Still, this means that you leave the book feeling mostly resigned. She leaves Hand, but the writing makes it out to be less of an explosive liberation than the inevitable, quiet death a relationship like any other.

Overall, I am very glad I read this. On the technical level, this is close to perfect. Beyond that, it's a moving book that explores various important themes - patriarchal structures and cycles of violence; loss of community and identity crisis; ideology, grand visions, sacrifice, and hope. It's shocking and difficult to read. It opens a window into a little-described sphere of a different time.

Content Warnings

wokekoala's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 51%

didnt like it from the beginning as it was quite triggering for me personally.. i kept reading until half way through and couldnt pick it up again. Make sure to read the warning list as this was a horrible experience for me. Terrible relationship.

Content Warnings