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aceinit's review against another edition
4.0
The Rabbit Back Literature Society is a wonderful debut with a unique voice and a story that kept me turning the pages. It is a book I could have easily finished reading in one sitting, if only I'd had time, and one that I wish didn't end quite so abruptly or with one major mystery still unsolved. Or perhaps one enigma left purposefully enigmatic.
Still, a thoroughly enjoyable read from beginning to end, and one I would recommend to anyone looking for a unique perspective on writers and writing, and on storytelling in general.
More detailed review forthcoming.
Still, a thoroughly enjoyable read from beginning to end, and one I would recommend to anyone looking for a unique perspective on writers and writing, and on storytelling in general.
More detailed review forthcoming.
katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
This is a puzzler. An eerie, otherworldly real-world fantasy with dark humour, mystery and mythical creatures - maybe.
It reminded me of the Green Knowe series and Walton's Among Others (none of which I liked very much) - elements of fantasy in the real world.
The Scandinavian origins shine through, the names, places and details all felt like the Finland it's written and set in.
Supply teacher, Ella, an aspiring writer, unexpectedly finds herself invited to become the tenth member of a secretive literary society, only for a mystery surrounding its famous founding writer to spring up on the eve of her inauguration.
Through a game between members, Ella determines to discover their long-held secrets and find out just what is going on within this group of renowned writers. Just what are they hiding?
It's a strange concoction of secrets, puzzling events, histories, some quite funny scenes, and unexplained happenings.
Enjoyable on the whole, it left me feeling like something was missing. A few loose ends weren't tied up, but I actually liked the ending. I just don't think I like books that try to mix fantasy and reality in this way, putting mythical creatures into everyday settings.
It's beautifully written and there's lots of great scenes and characters, so definitely one to try.
It reminded me of the Green Knowe series and Walton's Among Others (none of which I liked very much) - elements of fantasy in the real world.
The Scandinavian origins shine through, the names, places and details all felt like the Finland it's written and set in.
Supply teacher, Ella, an aspiring writer, unexpectedly finds herself invited to become the tenth member of a secretive literary society, only for a mystery surrounding its famous founding writer to spring up on the eve of her inauguration.
Through a game between members, Ella determines to discover their long-held secrets and find out just what is going on within this group of renowned writers. Just what are they hiding?
It's a strange concoction of secrets, puzzling events, histories, some quite funny scenes, and unexplained happenings.
Enjoyable on the whole, it left me feeling like something was missing. A few loose ends weren't tied up, but I actually liked the ending. I just don't think I like books that try to mix fantasy and reality in this way, putting mythical creatures into everyday settings.
It's beautifully written and there's lots of great scenes and characters, so definitely one to try.
foxy_llama15's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
dromwald's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not actually 100% sure what I mean about this comment but this book has a definite Scandinavian quality to it, by which I mean that if it was a film it would be art house in quality, black and white, full of imagery and dark humour - and frankly, at times, a little off the wall. I really enjoyed the style of writing and the characterization. The story itself lost me at times but their are some great ideas and twists in the tale. I won't give anything about the story away but would say that 'The Game' the group of writers who make up the society in the title play with each other reminded me of some kind of extreme counselling though it's far from therapeutic.
frigus's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-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
4.0
emasvingerova's review against another edition
3.0
Moc dobře vykreslená atmosféra, místy mi běhal mráz po zádech, ale jinak jsem se musela do čtení dost nutit, magický realismus mám moc ráda, ale tady mě to tolik nevzalo.
sarahlreadseverything's review against another edition
4.0
One word keeps coming to mind with this book - ethereal. It's magical, sometimes funny, sometimes scary and deeply disturbing, but mostly just ethereal. Its that type of magical realism that makes you doubt yourself and the perspective of every narrator and character in the thing. I'm not sure if i'll ever come to a conclusion as to what parts of the story were 'real' (in a fictional sense), but I suspect its going to float around in my head for a while yet.
marshmallowinjection's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
pandalif's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Interesting story. I was confused a couple of times which could have been due to the translation or the nature of the story.
Moderate: Child death and Dementia
Minor: Fatphobia, Death of parent, Car accident, and Infertility
ljutavidra's review against another edition
3.0
Iskreno? Očekivala sam više. U početku je zaista delovalo kao nešto što bi Kaurismaki snimio da bi pred kraj već otišlo u nebuloze a la Linč i H. Murakami (koji su ruku na srce i spomenuti na koricama). Ne volim magični realizam i očekivala sam neko konkretno razrešenje glavne misterije (kao što je razrešena sporedna misterija), ali daaaa... Ostala sam praznih ruku.