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Liked It4 of 5 members found this review helpful “This is a subtly ingenious narrative describing the process of reconciliation that confronts us at the end of life. The quiet Scandinavian solitude—the landscape of the book—is the perfect origin for the narrator’s contemplations of boyhood and later life. Petterson navigates these two...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “This book reads like the memoirs of a "Norwegian Bachelor Farmer* from Lake Wobegon - only not from Minnesota and not funny. Or interesting. |
Newest Reviews
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“A good thoughtful, quiet read with excellent descriptions.”
Susan K wrote this review 9 hours ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“The spare prose masks a haunting and violent subtext that is quite gripping. Petterson's descriptions of the natural world are so vivid that you can feel your breath being taken away by the cold and your heels crunching on the snow. Ultimately, the ending was too abrupt. A key relationship that was set up never resolved itself and left me wondering if I had missed something. The narrative thrust shifted and was unsatisfying. Nonetheless, an excellent book about an unusual setting.”
Kathy R wrote this review 6 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“perfect to read in a snowstorm”
Marianne H wrote this review 8 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“An incredibly well crafted story communicating conflicting emotions, both in his youth and as an older man.”
Bill M wrote this review 13 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Interesting and has a Scandanavian flavor but I was irritated by the unresolved ending. I know it's fashionable, this "slice of life" business, but I prefer everything tied up neatly with a bow!”
Annette C wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Pettersen reminds me a bit of Coetzee with his spare, clean prose. But, whereas Coetzee develops a powerful story using so few words, it seems all Pettersen comes up with are vignettes. There are scenes whose clarity will remain with you for ages, but in the end, they are more like separate still photos than a complete narrative. ”
Jenny B wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No1 of 1 members found this review helpful“This book reads like the memoirs of a "Norwegian Bachelor Farmer* from Lake Wobegon - only not from Minnesota and not funny. Or interesting.
moik wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I realize this book is tremendously popular, especially for reading groups, but there was nothing at all that drew me in. Fine writing technique, but nothing that grabbed me. Sorry. (I hate writing negative reviews).”
“very well written- simple but interesting characters. ”
Alisa D wrote this review Tuesday, November 24 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Got better as I went along, simple book, not much happens but well written”
Laura Q wrote this review Thursday, November 26 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Pretty good. It was a book club selection and it was diverting, good, but not something I'd recommend or terribly memorable. Other book club members LOVED it, but I was just kinda pesci about the whole thing.”
Katy C wrote this review Saturday, October 31 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
