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elfington's review
4.0
I came to this book from the Anthony Burgess 99 Novels podcast episode on Iris Murdoch's The Bell. The guest expert discussing The Bell was asked what book she would nominate for the 100th novel and she recommended this fairly obscure novel by Barbara Comyns.
If a novel could be called charmingly dark this would be it. I went in knowing very little about the plot and recommend that approach if you can. You'll be carried along, as if on one of the villager's boats, never really knowing exactly where you are going or why - but knowing you're being shown something in little glimpses on the bank.
Recommended (along with The Bell and the Ninety None novels podcast project.)
If a novel could be called charmingly dark this would be it. I went in knowing very little about the plot and recommend that approach if you can. You'll be carried along, as if on one of the villager's boats, never really knowing exactly where you are going or why - but knowing you're being shown something in little glimpses on the bank.
Recommended (along with The Bell and the Ninety None novels podcast project.)
benababy85's review against another edition
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
Charming book about the a small village and it's inhabitants
kumipaul's review against another edition
2.0
My rating is actually somewhere between "it's ok" and "I liked it". I thought it was funny in many spots, but darkly funny which didn't really give me a laugh or good feelings. Old grandmother Willoweed was so nasty that she was funny (sort of), but I tired of her constant meanness so was not so much entertained as I was hopeful that she would be one who was dead. The old woman was the center of the story however, and between her craziness and the craziness brought on by the local illness, I had had enough of the insanity. It's crazy to say that some of the insanity was entertaining, but that was true too. At times, I thought of the Beatles song Penny Lane because we experienced Penny Lane, yet there was no story. Same thing with the TV show Seinfeld. Same thing here, but much much much more bleak. I guess I just don't connect well with dark (or maybe even light) British humor. I think the ending that Comyns chose was taking the easy way out, but I have to admit that it was mildly satisfying as well.
beaboop's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mg_libros's review against another edition
3.0
87/2022 Los que cambiaron y los que murieron. Barbara Comyns. Gatopardo Ediciones. 168 páginas. Traducido por Inés Clavero.
Durante el verano de 1911, una ""plaga"" llega a un condado que hasta entonces era tranquilo: el río se desborda, la gente enferma, hay muertos y el mundo parece separarse, como en el título, entre los que cambiaron y los que murieron. Mientras tanto acompañamos a la familia Ebin, un viudo y sus hijos durante esas semanas tan raras.
Me gusta Barbara Comyns, te metes de lleno en sus historias. En esta también, con un pero, ojalá saber algo más sobre qué pasó luego, cuando se resuelve todo.
Durante el verano de 1911, una ""plaga"" llega a un condado que hasta entonces era tranquilo: el río se desborda, la gente enferma, hay muertos y el mundo parece separarse, como en el título, entre los que cambiaron y los que murieron. Mientras tanto acompañamos a la familia Ebin, un viudo y sus hijos durante esas semanas tan raras.
Me gusta Barbara Comyns, te metes de lleno en sus historias. En esta también, con un pero, ojalá saber algo más sobre qué pasó luego, cuando se resuelve todo.
booksinbedinthornhill's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Thanks to Simon Thomas of the blog Stuck in a Book for recommending this strange and beautiful novella. Vivid and perfectly-pitched images that will stick with you. Bizarre events written about in a matter-of-fact style, making them seem all too 'true.' Touching, funny, and horrifying.
dllh's review against another edition
3.0
Nice enough writing, and kind of a weird story, but there wasn't a lot of heft.
ingridostby's review against another edition
2.0
Lovely writing, some darkly humorous lines and situations, and the "bread" part of the book was a compelling narrative I found captivating. The rest felt a bit disjointed with lots of good tidbits throughout; I had trouble staying engaged despite how short it is. I'm looking forward to reading Comyns' The Jupiter Tree soon.
indy_oc's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
slow-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
3.5