Scan barcode
krobart's review against another edition
4.0
We, The Drowned is an unusual novel by Danish writer Carsten Jensen that has become an international best seller. It relates the history of the author’s home town, the port of Marstal, Denmark, from 1848 to 1945. Although it picks principal characters to follow during these times, large portions of the novel are written in the first person plural, as though the entire town in the Greek chorus in a play. The novel follows the fate of the town as it rises to become a major shipping port to its near demise just before and during World War II.
The many stories related in the novel tell the rich tales of the lives in this seafaring town. Although I was initially a little put off by the narrative style, I found myself barely able to put down this book.
See my complete review here:
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/tag/we-the-drowned/
The many stories related in the novel tell the rich tales of the lives in this seafaring town. Although I was initially a little put off by the narrative style, I found myself barely able to put down this book.
See my complete review here:
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/tag/we-the-drowned/
wordienerd's review against another edition
3.0
Was really interesting, well written, just expected more.
heyviki's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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? It's complicated
4.0
shanellewrites's review against another edition
3.0
This book has some amazing writing, and the subject matter is completely up my alley. On the whole, however, I found myself very frustrated and feel like it's a lost opportunity.
I think my main frustration with We, the Drowned is the pretty disgusting attitude that is so clearly visible behind the narrative. Over and over again, I saw misogyny and other behaviors and attitudes that are despicable. To be clear, the problem is not that these exist in the book. The problem is that rather than being challenged, commented on, or otherwise constructive, they are embraced and elevated. I am firmly of the belief that reading books solely through a political/politically correct lens is problematic, so while casual sexism in literature bothers me, I can generally see what the book has to offer beyond that. In this case, however, it took me out of the experience so severely that it was hard to focus on what the books really has to say. Reflecting on it now that I have finished, I'm not sure that I can put my finger on *anything* that it actually has to offer.
My other main problem with this book could be considered a slight spoiler, so if you have not read the book yet and do not wish to be spoiled, please do not continue reading the rest of my review.
Aside from casual attitudes that are problematic, I take issue with the ending. For me personally, it did not particularly fit the rest of the book. I loved how the book's "we" was brought in at this point, but apart from that, I found it weak. When I (finally) reached the ending, it felt like Jensen failed to realize every promise that had been made throughout the entire book.
I should note that I find translated fiction hard to review fairly, because when there are issues, it's hard to know how much of that is the fault of the author and what is due to problems in translation. In this case, the best thing We, the Drowned has going for it is its writing, which may or may not be largely thanks to the translator. With the Danish awards this book has received, however, that seems unlikely, and that is the only reason I have rated it as highly as I have.
I am fully willing to admit I could be flat-out wrong in my view of this book, but I can only speak from my own experience reading it, which was, unfortunately, largely negative.
I think my main frustration with We, the Drowned is the pretty disgusting attitude that is so clearly visible behind the narrative. Over and over again, I saw misogyny and other behaviors and attitudes that are despicable. To be clear, the problem is not that these exist in the book. The problem is that rather than being challenged, commented on, or otherwise constructive, they are embraced and elevated. I am firmly of the belief that reading books solely through a political/politically correct lens is problematic, so while casual sexism in literature bothers me, I can generally see what the book has to offer beyond that. In this case, however, it took me out of the experience so severely that it was hard to focus on what the books really has to say. Reflecting on it now that I have finished, I'm not sure that I can put my finger on *anything* that it actually has to offer.
My other main problem with this book could be considered a slight spoiler, so if you have not read the book yet and do not wish to be spoiled, please do not continue reading the rest of my review.
Aside from casual attitudes that are problematic, I take issue with the ending. For me personally, it did not particularly fit the rest of the book. I loved how the book's "we" was brought in at this point, but apart from that, I found it weak. When I (finally) reached the ending, it felt like Jensen failed to realize every promise that had been made throughout the entire book.
I should note that I find translated fiction hard to review fairly, because when there are issues, it's hard to know how much of that is the fault of the author and what is due to problems in translation. In this case, the best thing We, the Drowned has going for it is its writing, which may or may not be largely thanks to the translator. With the Danish awards this book has received, however, that seems unlikely, and that is the only reason I have rated it as highly as I have.
I am fully willing to admit I could be flat-out wrong in my view of this book, but I can only speak from my own experience reading it, which was, unfortunately, largely negative.
catherine888's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
singhalex's review against another edition
5.0
Epic in scope yet entirely intimate. It was a core at times to get through this book, but the effort was well rewarded. An enlightening look into the nautical world and how it unites an entire community.
kyledhebert's review against another edition
3.0
It took me awhile to get through this book, but it wasn't for lack of interest, and it is a story that rewards perseverance.
It reads like a cross between Huck Finn and Forrest Gump, presenting awful and hilarious situations side by side without commentary and letting the reader work out their own response.
It reads like a cross between Huck Finn and Forrest Gump, presenting awful and hilarious situations side by side without commentary and letting the reader work out their own response.
biedermeier_margo's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
terrypaulpearce's review against another edition
1.0
Didn't finish.
This book bounced off me. Couldn't get a finger hold, or figure out why I should care. Found the prose entirely not up my alley, and the story and characters, I couldn't bring myself to care about.
This book bounced off me. Couldn't get a finger hold, or figure out why I should care. Found the prose entirely not up my alley, and the story and characters, I couldn't bring myself to care about.