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yosmith123's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
breadandmushrooms's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
wildpaleyonder's review
adventurous
funny
inspiring
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
toniherrero's review against another edition
2.0
2,5/5
No he acabat d'entrar massa en aquest llibre. Si bé l'he llegit bastant de pressa, no hi he congeniat en excés. El text, sens dubte, és ben original: una mena d'ucronia surrealista que barreja la mitologia artúrica i la Segona Guerra Mundial, amb Artur, Lancelot i la resta de cavallers combatent contra els nazis i batallant a la vegada contra les revoltes internes.
Barthelme fa gala de l'humor i narra petits episodis que solen tenir com a protagonistes a una parella que conversa o debat amb diàlegs àcids i sovint enrevessats; de tant en tant, trobem capítols més amens que ens descriuen situacions com batalles o celebracions primaverals. A través d'aquests episodis breus obtenim una mena de colorit tapís que ens narra el conflicte global i descriu una cort artúrica que no deixa de ser una adaptació moderna de la matèria de Bretanya. L'originalitat i el surrealisme, però, no tenen per què agradar a tothom; cal sumar-hi a més la particular visió de la literatura de Barthelme, sempre disposat a trencar esquemes.
És aquest, en definitiva, un text en to de tragicomèdia que es pot llegir d'una seguda. Els amants dels mites d'Artur segurament hi trobaran un motiu extra de gaudi, amb les representacions eixelebrades que en fa l'autor, però la resta dels lectors hauran de conformar-se amb una història fragmentaria bastant rocambolesca que no és apta per a tots els estómacs. Particularment, a mi m'ha deixat amb més gana, com si fos un aperitiu cridaner a la vista però una mica insuls. Tinc un altre llibre de Barthelme a la pila, «El Pare Mort», però aquest me'l reservo per a més endavant.
No he acabat d'entrar massa en aquest llibre. Si bé l'he llegit bastant de pressa, no hi he congeniat en excés. El text, sens dubte, és ben original: una mena d'ucronia surrealista que barreja la mitologia artúrica i la Segona Guerra Mundial, amb Artur, Lancelot i la resta de cavallers combatent contra els nazis i batallant a la vegada contra les revoltes internes.
Barthelme fa gala de l'humor i narra petits episodis que solen tenir com a protagonistes a una parella que conversa o debat amb diàlegs àcids i sovint enrevessats; de tant en tant, trobem capítols més amens que ens descriuen situacions com batalles o celebracions primaverals. A través d'aquests episodis breus obtenim una mena de colorit tapís que ens narra el conflicte global i descriu una cort artúrica que no deixa de ser una adaptació moderna de la matèria de Bretanya. L'originalitat i el surrealisme, però, no tenen per què agradar a tothom; cal sumar-hi a més la particular visió de la literatura de Barthelme, sempre disposat a trencar esquemes.
És aquest, en definitiva, un text en to de tragicomèdia que es pot llegir d'una seguda. Els amants dels mites d'Artur segurament hi trobaran un motiu extra de gaudi, amb les representacions eixelebrades que en fa l'autor, però la resta dels lectors hauran de conformar-se amb una història fragmentaria bastant rocambolesca que no és apta per a tots els estómacs. Particularment, a mi m'ha deixat amb més gana, com si fos un aperitiu cridaner a la vista però una mica insuls. Tinc un altre llibre de Barthelme a la pila, «El Pare Mort», però aquest me'l reservo per a més endavant.
stewreads's review against another edition
4.0
I’m sad to be finished with the last of Barthelme’s novels, but I’m glad to be able to say that they were all great and wildly unique. The man’s take on medieval fantasy is just as irreverent as you’d expect, and although you’re left wanting more time in this universe, the book leaves its readers with the distinct sense that there’s a lot of subtext buried under the surface. Worth reading for fans of Barthelme and readers who aren’t afraid of some ambiguity and general oddness.
h2oetry's review
4.0
Barthelme is one of my favorite authors. He usually writes short stories, but has a few novels under his belt, including this one. I guess this is just a long short story, since it clocks in around 150 pages with geriatrically-friendly large font. It modernizes King Arthur and his knights, and weaves in themes regarding Nazis and such. But I'm not sure the type of person I would recommend this book to. For instance, were a semi-studious individual with an affinity towards knights to stumble across this book, he would likely say with a furled brow, "what a kook, what a goofus, how sayest thou that sir Barthelme has obtained a publisher?" To such a person I would direct them to read John Steinbeck's "The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights." But for those that like to read wacky renderings of moderately understood tales, this is the book for you. And if you don't like it, it is short enough that you could even finish it without regrets. So check it out from the library like I did.
aeandrews's review
3.0
Read for Love and Hate: Medieval to Early Modern, Spring 2014.
Not my favorite. It's interesting, and some parts are very funny, but overall not really to my taste.
Not my favorite. It's interesting, and some parts are very funny, but overall not really to my taste.
slcrow's review
4.0
This book is sorta a slam dunk for me. World War II + Donald Bartheleme + King Arthur = WIN in my book. It's witty, it's honest, it's a little sad. Surprisingly good character development for such a short book. And all the great meta fictional references just make my little postmodern heart go all a-flutter.
Am I the only one who felt that the "Chorus" was a little reminiscent of the play-by-play announcers at a sporting event? I wouldn't put it past Bartheleme. Hey, this is the same guy who ended one of the best short stories EVER with "...and then the hamster walked in the room." Guy's got some serious writing cojones, if you ask me. Or, if you ask Betty White, a serious writing vagina. Not sure how he'd feel about that particular allusion, but there ya go.
And hey, if you don't like it, it's only 150 pages. What have you lost? It's not like reading Twilight and realizing that you've just sunk a month of your life into a piece of crap. A month of your life that you'll never see again. *sigh* But hey, no such regrets here. Even if you don't like it, what did you lose? A rainy afternoon? And you're at least reading literature instead of adjectives.
So, in short (because this book is not one for wordy diatribes), this is definitely worth a chance. If you've read [b:Le Morte d'Arthur: King Arthur and the Legends of the Round Table|672875|Le Morte d'Arthur King Arthur and the Legends of the Round Table|Thomas Malory|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1309288301s/672875.jpg|1361856], then you've definitely got to give this a go, because you'll definitely enjoy it more than the average reader. And if you've read Le Morte... AND you know your WW2 history, this will be a day at the candy store.
Am I the only one who felt that the "Chorus" was a little reminiscent of the play-by-play announcers at a sporting event? I wouldn't put it past Bartheleme. Hey, this is the same guy who ended one of the best short stories EVER with "...and then the hamster walked in the room." Guy's got some serious writing cojones, if you ask me. Or, if you ask Betty White, a serious writing vagina. Not sure how he'd feel about that particular allusion, but there ya go.
And hey, if you don't like it, it's only 150 pages. What have you lost? It's not like reading Twilight and realizing that you've just sunk a month of your life into a piece of crap. A month of your life that you'll never see again. *sigh* But hey, no such regrets here. Even if you don't like it, what did you lose? A rainy afternoon? And you're at least reading literature instead of adjectives.
So, in short (because this book is not one for wordy diatribes), this is definitely worth a chance. If you've read [b:Le Morte d'Arthur: King Arthur and the Legends of the Round Table|672875|Le Morte d'Arthur King Arthur and the Legends of the Round Table|Thomas Malory|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1309288301s/672875.jpg|1361856], then you've definitely got to give this a go, because you'll definitely enjoy it more than the average reader. And if you've read Le Morte... AND you know your WW2 history, this will be a day at the candy store.
charlesdoddwhite's review
5.0
A truly excellent novel. A witty commentary on Malory and a unique postmodern treatment of war, politics and honor in the 20th century.
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