While not entirely successful as a novel, it certainly fits in well with the current trend for auto-fiction and vignettes, more episodic narration witWhile not entirely successful as a novel, it certainly fits in well with the current trend for auto-fiction and vignettes, more episodic narration without a clear story arc. (And yet it was written in 1934). Not sure why the publisher did not include the hugely controversial Nae Ionescu preface to the book, nor Sebastian's hugely thoughtful, measured response to the scandal surrounding the book 'Why I Became a Hooligan' - missed opportunity to see the book in its full context....more
When I first read it, I was still going through a much dragged-out divorce, so it felt a little too close to home. Upon rereading it now, I liked it eWhen I first read it, I was still going through a much dragged-out divorce, so it felt a little too close to home. Upon rereading it now, I liked it even more and appreciated its understated, elegant style - similar in content yet quite different in style to Ferrante's Days of Abandonment. Full review here https://findingtimetowrite.wordpress.......more
Enjoyed it slightly less than the first one, although the themes become more sombre (usually a good thing in my book). I felt perhaps less connection Enjoyed it slightly less than the first one, although the themes become more sombre (usually a good thing in my book). I felt perhaps less connection with the characters, there was more flitting from one to the other and I even started getting confused with the names (which did not happen in the first)....more
Perfect comfort reading for these tumultuous times (although it actually depicts Britain just before WW2, with considerable uncertainty and fear). AllPerfect comfort reading for these tumultuous times (although it actually depicts Britain just before WW2, with considerable uncertainty and fear). All the little details of life, with recognisable concerns and characters, even though they have servants and money and seemingly endless baths and meals. I will certainly enjoy reading the whole series....more
A shame my children are not as hooked on this series as I used to be: yes, the pace is much slower than what they are used to nowadays in books and fiA shame my children are not as hooked on this series as I used to be: yes, the pace is much slower than what they are used to nowadays in books and films, but surely the dream of exploration, adventure and minimal grown-up interference stays the same!...more
This is not the edition I have, which is the Fischer Taschebuch Verlag Meisternovellen, but I couldn't find that one. I read a few of the lesser-knownThis is not the edition I have, which is the Fischer Taschebuch Verlag Meisternovellen, but I couldn't find that one. I read a few of the lesser-known (to me) stories 'Letter from a Stranger', 'Episode on the Geneva Lake', 'The Invisible Collection' and one of his best known ones 'Chess'. I'll be reading more - they are completely addictive: he has a passionate, very readable style, very easy to understand his huge popularity back in the 1930s....more
I'd forgotten what fun this is (yes, even when he enumerates all the things they take on the expedition) and how quickly he gets to the point. Fun, inI'd forgotten what fun this is (yes, even when he enumerates all the things they take on the expedition) and how quickly he gets to the point. Fun, inventive, still re-readable after all this time!...more
I was attracted to its darkness and nihilism as a teenager, but now I can appreciate its understated drama and writing style more. A small masterpieceI was attracted to its darkness and nihilism as a teenager, but now I can appreciate its understated drama and writing style more. A small masterpiece of descent into hopelessness from which all the current 'middle-aged woman in a life crisis' books could benefit....more
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