Two days after finishing, I still can't stop thinking about the haunting beauty of this rare journal, deeply saddened at the events described and equaTwo days after finishing, I still can't stop thinking about the haunting beauty of this rare journal, deeply saddened at the events described and equally saddened she didn't write more. This is the kind of book that sucks all the oxygen out of the air, that needs space once it is finished. The idea of starting something new is out of the question, almost sacrilege. One wants a moment of silence, to reach through time and hug the writer, which cannot be done.
The prose is understated and often brilliant ("Our fate is rolling in from the east . . ."). Her skills of observation superb. I've never seen/read a victim of war describe so much personal pain with so little animosity or bitterness toward the events and perpetrators. If I could only read five books on WWII, this would be one of those five. It is, perhaps, the best example of what happens in a conquered city: rape, murder, pillage. The account is first person. No axe to grind. This version, by the author's wish, was not republished until after her death, just a few years ago. You can find her name if you google the story, but it is apparent she wanted neither fame nor money from her account. If I could give a book a rating higher than five stars, I would honor A Woman in Berlin such. ...more
I've learned that William Trevor knows more about writing in his little finger than I will know in three lifetimes. The master of the short story writI've learned that William Trevor knows more about writing in his little finger than I will know in three lifetimes. The master of the short story writing as well as he has ever written. Coffee recommended. ...more
So far, damn good. The dialogue is about as good as it gets for the period (1849-50). You can almost smell the dust and see the plain, heat lightning So far, damn good. The dialogue is about as good as it gets for the period (1849-50). You can almost smell the dust and see the plain, heat lightning on the horizon. Water scarce. Blood not. ...more
Beautiful story of love between father and son in a world where they each are "the world entire" to each other. The writing is nothing less than superBeautiful story of love between father and son in a world where they each are "the world entire" to each other. The writing is nothing less than superb in style and substance. A few paragraphs in particular stand as works of art in and of themselves. Cormac paints with words like few others. One almost sees his writing as reads it. Still, for all the literary excellence, I find myself, in time, in distance from the reading, seeing the love between the father and son grow stronger and stronger in my mind, as if it lives. I can't think of another book at the moment that continued to positively haunt my memories as The Road. ...more
The translation you want--as complete and unaltered as you will find and beautifully typed. Beware of other versions that take liberties with her puncThe translation you want--as complete and unaltered as you will find and beautifully typed. Beware of other versions that take liberties with her punctuation and word choice. Even changing a single word, as some other editors sought fit to do, changes meaning and intent. If you want Emily, as Emily wrote, buy this copy....more
Loading...
