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kirstenfindlay's review
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
thebookishepicure's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
informative
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.25
smc15's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jonasd's review against another edition
4.0
Terrifying view of the psychological effects of totalitarianism. Striking prose, powerful imagery, important thoughts.
nikkigee81's review against another edition
3.0
[This is part of my Around the World Reading Challenge, begun in 2014/2015].
Due to the oppression of Communism in Albania, this book actually had to be smuggled out of that country by the author and a friend of his in France, where it was first published. The novella, "Agamemnon's Daughter," tells the tale of an unnamed young man, who has the misfortune to fall for the daughter of a government official whose star is on the rise. As he walks through the streets on his way to a jingoistic parade (where he has an invitation to sit in the coveted stands, a consolation prize, in exchange for his woman being taken away from him), he recalls the story of the sacrifice of Agamemnon's daughter, Iphigenia, whose blood was supposed to calm the raging seas.
The second story, "The Blinding Order," is a scary tale set in the Ottoman Empire, wherein threats of the "evil eye" lead to barbaric torture, all in the name of keeping the peace. I think if this had been a longer tale, I might have been more emotionally invested. Even though there was some focus on a young woman whose fiancé is one of the officials leading the punishment (and is then summarily implicated), I think the story is too short to really have a personal impact.
The third story, "The Great Wall," actually didn't do much for me at all. Told by two different characters, a Chinese official inside the wall and a rebel outside it, I suppose there's a deeper metaphor about walls and such other than the obvious, but honestly, it was a little bit boring.
All that being said, I think that Mr. Kadare is a good writer, and I would select a novel next time.
Due to the oppression of Communism in Albania, this book actually had to be smuggled out of that country by the author and a friend of his in France, where it was first published. The novella, "Agamemnon's Daughter," tells the tale of an unnamed young man, who has the misfortune to fall for the daughter of a government official whose star is on the rise. As he walks through the streets on his way to a jingoistic parade (where he has an invitation to sit in the coveted stands, a consolation prize, in exchange for his woman being taken away from him), he recalls the story of the sacrifice of Agamemnon's daughter, Iphigenia, whose blood was supposed to calm the raging seas.
The second story, "The Blinding Order," is a scary tale set in the Ottoman Empire, wherein threats of the "evil eye" lead to barbaric torture, all in the name of keeping the peace. I think if this had been a longer tale, I might have been more emotionally invested. Even though there was some focus on a young woman whose fiancé is one of the officials leading the punishment (and is then summarily implicated), I think the story is too short to really have a personal impact.
The third story, "The Great Wall," actually didn't do much for me at all. Told by two different characters, a Chinese official inside the wall and a rebel outside it, I suppose there's a deeper metaphor about walls and such other than the obvious, but honestly, it was a little bit boring.
All that being said, I think that Mr. Kadare is a good writer, and I would select a novel next time.
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