Reviews

Tyll by Daniel Kehlmann

kappo's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.5

underthejunipertree's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes

3.75

This book is especially good at good-byes. 

white_armed_hera's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad medium-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? It's complicated

5.0

ejlarner's review

Go to review page

she's a mood reader folks and while I've heard good things alas I cannot

emannuelk's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Lá no primeiro ou segundo ano de faculdade, fiz um trabalho sobre a Guerra dos Trinta Anos. Que foi um acontecimento importante para quem estudou RI por ter culminado no acordo de Westphalia. Só essas coisas já seriam motivos mais do que suficientes para eu não querer ler esse livro. Mas o autor é bom o suficiente para até ter me deixado com vontade de ler mais sobre o período em vários momentos do romance. De modo geral, a linha que une essa obra é a história de um bobo da corte, uma figura folclórica da Alemanha que não é exatamente relacionada a esse período, mas que Kehlmann humaniza. Na maior parte do tempo enxergamos Tyll pelas pessoas ao seu redor. Mas também acompanhamos outros personagens, dentre os quais Elizabeth Stuart, uma das nobres envolvidas em todo o conflito de forma que nem sempre os livros de história contam. Os personagens são particularmente bem desenvolvidos, com vozes, almas, muito próprias. A história é contada de forma não-linear, e com algumas pitadas de realismo mágico. Estão misturados aqui o horror da guerra, a ignorância da religião em sua forma inquisitorial, mas também o amor da liberdade e grandes doses de humor - irônico. Acho que um capítulo, que além de tudo era dos mais curtos, me pareceu um pouco desnecessário, mas, de modo geral, é uma ótima leitura.

marlo42's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

I really wanted to like this. Unfortunately, it didn't click with me for a few reasons, I think the largest of which is I wanted more of the titular character. He flits in and out of the narrative and his absences are really sorely felt, as he's the most compelling thing about this. Also, I felt the unconventional structure harmed the book more than it helped it, as characters were either not given the time they needed to really make an impression or were hamstrung by their placement in the novel. However, there's still a lot of bright spots (anything with Tyll, as I mentioned above) and Nele is a lot of fun to read as well. Probably worth a read if you're into nonlinear books or historical fiction with a hint of the supernatural.

entropia9's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark funny medium-paced

3.75

dukegregory's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

3.5

Far too little Tyll and far too little Elizabeth of Bohemia on the page! Kehlmann gets a bit too bogged down in European political history for me. This soars when remaining fabulist and off-kilter. The first two chapters are the best part of the novel, which make up the first 45% of the novel.

buchweiser's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

„Tyll“ ist mein erstes Buch von Kehlmann und ich wusste nicht so recht, was mich erwarten würde. Ich rechnete mit einer Geschichte rund um den Narren Till Eulenspiegel, doch eigentlich ist dieser nur das Bindungsglied in den Irrungen und Wirrungen des Dreißigjährigen Krieges, in die der Autor seine Leser versetzt.

Wir tänzeln – leichtfüßig wie Tyll und seine Begleiterin Nele – von Szene zu Szene und treffen sowohl geschichtlich relevante Personen als auch völlig erfundene Charaktere.
Es ist schwierig, sich auf eine Situation einzulassen, denn kaum hat man sich ein wenig eingelebt, wechselt die Kulisse und wir suchen Ulenspiegel in einem anderen Wimmelbild.

Ich bin mir nicht sicher, was ich von diesem Roman halten soll. Er wird oft verglichen mit dem „abenteuerlichen Simplicissimus“ und ich muss gestehen, dass ich ihn mindestens genauso zäh fand wie diesen.
Er erinnerte mich auch an den „Hundertjährigen, der aus dem Fenster stieg und verschwand“ – noch so ein Protagonist, der sich für den Nabel der Welt hält, durchs Leben fällt und unterwegs wichtigen Personen begegnet.

Am sympathischsten in diesem Buch war mir Nele, die ihre Entscheidungen sehr bodenständig und emotionslos trifft und ihren eigenen, unabhängigen Weg geht. Sie eckt dabei jedoch bei weitem nicht so sehr an wie Tyll, der Menschen dazu bringt, das Schlechteste aus sich herauszuholen.

Literarisch ist „Tyll“ sicherlich ein interessantes Werk, aber das Storytelling ist zu stark angelehnt an klassische Erzählweisen und wirkt auf mich etwas bemüht.

Man sollte es vielleicht mal gelesen haben, aber ich würde es nicht als Geschenk unter den Weihnachtsbaum legen.

rolandsquire's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

My 4th book from this years Booker International Shortlist and probably my favourite. ‘Tyll’ is both a. Origins story of the German folklore prankster and a satirical look at the history of the 30 Years War. The character of ‘Tyll’ is a wonderful anti-hero for the current times.