simonator's Reviews (183)

Scharfsinnig und subtil, dabei aber doch jugendlich. Die Unreife bildet dabei aber keinen Mangel, sondern spiegelt einfach die Anschauung des Protagonisten und auch das Alter des Autors damals (erst 19!) wider. Zwar bleibt beim Lesen der Novelle ein gewisser Wow-Faktor aus, aber in ihrer Kürze liegt viel Würze. 

Überraschend überzeugend, auch wenn es auf einer gewissen oberflächlichen Ebene die Schrift einer gekränkten Künstlerseele bleibt, die neuartige Kunsttechnologien nicht mag. Aber die Argumente zur Zerstreueng vs Sammlung der Gesell chaft im Angesichts der massig reproduzierbaren Kunst sind lohnenswerte Lektüre.

Düster und verstörende Erzählung aus der NS-Zeit. Die Verrohung des Geistes durch die Kriegstreiberei wird greifbar gemacht. 

It's difficult to assess the intention of this story. Especially in the first third, it feels like an indulgent and fairly superficial wallowing in a certain academic glamour that actually does not engage in serious depth with the classical material, from which it liberally and pretentiously quotes incessantly. Later, the book at some point manages to  subvert and satirise its subject to some degree and reveal some of the cruel naivety and petty stupidity of its protagonists. Somewhere buried in endless descriptions of empty stretches of time, there is a  critique of fetishised scholasticism, the hubris of self-infatuated young men, and American society, I guess. By its final third the book seemingly styles itself as some sort of modern tragedy with a set of characters whose intentions, passions, weakness, hubris and fate steers them towards disaster. But to me, the book never managed to shake off its whiff of pretentiousness, triviality, and shallowness, because it hinges on the reader's interest in the workings of these few young minds. The minds in question are, however, pretty dumb. 

That being said, Tartt evocatively paints vivid scenes, tangible characters, and sets colourful moods. The protagonist is actually fairly relatable and an apt observer of the proceedings around him. While the writing definitely has the capacity to draw you in, there are some plot elements and side-characters who are entirely unnecessary and take up way too many pages. In parts, the plot is just plain boring.

If reality itself could paint, it would write like Tolstoy.

The structure doesn't make much intuitive sense and it's very difficult to quickly look up rules. The art is not very cool. Good game though once you get it. 

Extremely insightful and holds a lot of explanatory power. Still, a few aspects remain under-explored - e.g. the analysis of Hamas' governance in Gaza could've been more vivid. Generally, the book could've benefitted from some more colourful anecdotes or reflections to add depth and illustrativeness. Nonetheless, one of the best reads for the current moment.

Read these unheard voices.