A review by whatsnonfiction
Danube: A Sentimental Journey from the Source to the Black Sea by Claudio Magris

2.0

This was difficult. I kept noting really gorgeously written passages, and when the anecdotes and historical bits made sense, they were worth reading. But so much of it is hard to get through, with so many obscure references and philosophical asides that didn't add much to the cultural or historical aspects that I thought were the basis of the book. I'm not sure the author actually knew what kind of book he wanted to write because it's all over the place, subject-wise and stylistically. I thought the section about Vienna, I think called Cafe Central, was written in a livelier style with less of the confusing and only vaguely relevant segues. So...that was nice.