What do you think?
Rate this book
Pescatore d'Islanda
È il rito ancestrale della pesca a scandire le stagioni nel piccolo villaggio bretone di Paimpol. Alla fine dell'inverno, i pescherecci ricevono la benedizione per la partenza verso l'Islanda; dall'alto del tabernacolo allestito nel porto, la Vergine osserva allo stesso modo, impassibile, chi dopo l'estate tornerà alle coste francesi con il carico di pesce, e quelli che, una dannata tempesta farà mancare all'appuntamento con i propri cari. La primavera, a Paimpol. è il silenzio di donne nell'attesa di un ritorno. L'inverno è fatto per sposarsi - o per piangere chi il mare ha trattenuto. Gaud Mével è la graziosa figlia, biondissima, di un anziano pescatore di Paimpol che con il mare ha fatto fortuna. È cresciuta a Parigi, poi il padre l'ha ricondotta in Bretagna. L'inverno del suo ritorno a Paimpol, a un ricevimento di nozze, Gaud incontra il primogenito dei Gaos, l'imponente Yann. pescatore d'Islanda fiero e impenetrabile. È l'inizio di un amore ardente ma tormentato. Ma la felicità, in queste lande brumose, è selvaggia e inquieta, oppressa dalla minaccia della morte. Romanzo del 1886 - lo stesso anno in cui Jean Moréas pubblica su Le Figaro il Manifesto del simbolismo -, Pescatore d'Islanda è un inno oscuro e decadente all'inesorabilità del fato e alle leggi insondabili che governano i sentimenti umani.
223 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1886
76 people are currently reading
1382 people want to read
About the author
Pierre Loti
810 books83 followersLouis Marie-Julien Viaud was a writer, who used the pseudonym Pierre Loti.
Viaud was born in Rochefort, Charente-Maritime, France, to an old Protestant family. His education began in Rochefort, but at the age of seventeen, being destined for the navy, he entered the naval school in Brest and studied on Le Borda. He gradually rose in his profession, attaining the rank of captain in 1906. In January 1910 he went on the reserve list.
His pseudonym has been said to be due to his extreme shyness and reserve in early life, which made his comrades call him after "le Loti", an Indian flower which loves to blush unseen. Other explanations have been put forth by scholars. It is also said that he got the name in Tahiti where he got a sun burn and was called Roti (because he was all red like a local flower), he couldn't pronounce the r well so he stuck with Loti. He was in the habit of claiming that he never read books (when he was received at the Académie française, he said, "Loti ne sait pas lire" ("Loti doesn't know how to read"), but testimony from friends and acquaintances proves otherwise, as does his library, much of which is preserved in his house in Rochefort. In 1876 fellow naval officers persuaded him to turn into a novel passages in his diary dealing with some curious experiences at Istanbul. The result was Aziyadé, a novel which, like so many of Loti's, is part romance, part autobiography, like the work of his admirer, Marcel Proust, after him. (There is a popular cafe in current-day Istanbul dedicated to the time Loti spent in Turkey.) He proceeded to the South Seas as part of his naval training, and several years after leaving Tahiti published the Polynesian idyll originally named Rarahu (1880), which was reprinted as Le Mariage de Loti, the first book to introduce him to the wider public. This was followed by Le Roman d'un spahi (1881), a record of the melancholy adventures of a soldier in Senegambia.
Loti on the day of his reception at the Académie française on 7 April, 1892. In 1882, Loti issued a collection of four shorter pieces, three stories and a travel piece, under the general title of Fleurs d'ennui (Flowers of Boredom).
In 1883 he entered the wider public spotlight. First, he publish the critically acclaimed Mon frere Yves (My Brother Yves), a novel describing the life of a French naval officer (Pierre Loti), and a Breton sailor (Yves Kermadec), described by Edmund Gosse as "one of his most characteristic productions".[1] Second, while taking part as a naval officer in the undeclared hostilities that preceded the outbreak of the Sino-French War (August 1884 to April 1885), Loti wrote an article in the newspaper Le Figaro about atrocities that occurred during the French bombardment of the Thuan An forts that guarded the approaches to Hue (August 1883), and was threatened with suspension from the service, thus gaining wider public notoriety.
In 1886 he published a novel of life among the Breton fisherfolk, called Pêcheur d'Islande (Iceland Fisherman), which Edmund Gosse characterized as "the most popular and finest of all his writings."[1] It shows Loti adapting some of the Impressionist techniques of contemporary painters, especially Monet, to prose, and is a classic of French literature. In 1887 he brought out a volume "of extraordinary merit, which has not received the attention it deserves",[1] Propos d'exil, a series of short studies of exotic places, in his characteristic semi-autobiographic style. The novel of Japanese manners, Madame Chrysanthème— a precursor to Madame Butterfly and Miss Saigon and a work that is a combination of narrative and travelog— was published the same year.
During 1890 he published Au Maroc, the record of a journey to Fez in company with a French embassy, and Le Roman d'un enfant (The Story of a Child), a somewhat fictionalized recollection of Loti's childhood that would greatly influence Marcel Proust. A collection
Viaud was born in Rochefort, Charente-Maritime, France, to an old Protestant family. His education began in Rochefort, but at the age of seventeen, being destined for the navy, he entered the naval school in Brest and studied on Le Borda. He gradually rose in his profession, attaining the rank of captain in 1906. In January 1910 he went on the reserve list.
His pseudonym has been said to be due to his extreme shyness and reserve in early life, which made his comrades call him after "le Loti", an Indian flower which loves to blush unseen. Other explanations have been put forth by scholars. It is also said that he got the name in Tahiti where he got a sun burn and was called Roti (because he was all red like a local flower), he couldn't pronounce the r well so he stuck with Loti. He was in the habit of claiming that he never read books (when he was received at the Académie française, he said, "Loti ne sait pas lire" ("Loti doesn't know how to read"), but testimony from friends and acquaintances proves otherwise, as does his library, much of which is preserved in his house in Rochefort. In 1876 fellow naval officers persuaded him to turn into a novel passages in his diary dealing with some curious experiences at Istanbul. The result was Aziyadé, a novel which, like so many of Loti's, is part romance, part autobiography, like the work of his admirer, Marcel Proust, after him. (There is a popular cafe in current-day Istanbul dedicated to the time Loti spent in Turkey.) He proceeded to the South Seas as part of his naval training, and several years after leaving Tahiti published the Polynesian idyll originally named Rarahu (1880), which was reprinted as Le Mariage de Loti, the first book to introduce him to the wider public. This was followed by Le Roman d'un spahi (1881), a record of the melancholy adventures of a soldier in Senegambia.
Loti on the day of his reception at the Académie française on 7 April, 1892. In 1882, Loti issued a collection of four shorter pieces, three stories and a travel piece, under the general title of Fleurs d'ennui (Flowers of Boredom).
In 1883 he entered the wider public spotlight. First, he publish the critically acclaimed Mon frere Yves (My Brother Yves), a novel describing the life of a French naval officer (Pierre Loti), and a Breton sailor (Yves Kermadec), described by Edmund Gosse as "one of his most characteristic productions".[1] Second, while taking part as a naval officer in the undeclared hostilities that preceded the outbreak of the Sino-French War (August 1884 to April 1885), Loti wrote an article in the newspaper Le Figaro about atrocities that occurred during the French bombardment of the Thuan An forts that guarded the approaches to Hue (August 1883), and was threatened with suspension from the service, thus gaining wider public notoriety.
In 1886 he published a novel of life among the Breton fisherfolk, called Pêcheur d'Islande (Iceland Fisherman), which Edmund Gosse characterized as "the most popular and finest of all his writings."[1] It shows Loti adapting some of the Impressionist techniques of contemporary painters, especially Monet, to prose, and is a classic of French literature. In 1887 he brought out a volume "of extraordinary merit, which has not received the attention it deserves",[1] Propos d'exil, a series of short studies of exotic places, in his characteristic semi-autobiographic style. The novel of Japanese manners, Madame Chrysanthème— a precursor to Madame Butterfly and Miss Saigon and a work that is a combination of narrative and travelog— was published the same year.
During 1890 he published Au Maroc, the record of a journey to Fez in company with a French embassy, and Le Roman d'un enfant (The Story of a Child), a somewhat fictionalized recollection of Loti's childhood that would greatly influence Marcel Proust. A collection
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
March 20, 2015
This is the kind of book that is hard to put down and when you do, you can't stop thinking about it. The plot is simple. A group of Breton fishermen who get their living off the coasts of Iceland, and their families who are left behind for most of the year waiting, watching...and praying .
Most of the story centers around two characters, young Sylvester who is recruited for the French navy and his cousin of sorts, Yann, a strong, powerful able seaman who, in his late twenties is being pressured to marry. However, Yann argues that the only wife he'll ever have is the sea.
The author describes coastal Brittany in such simple but vivid terms that I felt I was there, kicking browned seaweed along the rocky paths and winding my way among stunted trees and bushes bent permanently in blown positions . And the storms at sea....terrifying.
Although this is not a very long novel, I felt that the main characters were pretty well developed; there were times I had to choke back the tears when the emotion became too much. Yes, it's a bittersweet story but a very good one.
Available for free on Public Domain sites
Highly recommended
CONTENT: PG (for very brief but strong violence and some racially offensive descriptions of the Chinese)
Most of the story centers around two characters, young Sylvester who is recruited for the French navy and his cousin of sorts, Yann, a strong, powerful able seaman who, in his late twenties is being pressured to marry. However, Yann argues that the only wife he'll ever have is the sea.
The author describes coastal Brittany in such simple but vivid terms that I felt I was there, kicking browned seaweed along the rocky paths and winding my way among stunted trees and bushes bent permanently in blown positions . And the storms at sea....terrifying.
Although this is not a very long novel, I felt that the main characters were pretty well developed; there were times I had to choke back the tears when the emotion became too much. Yes, it's a bittersweet story but a very good one.
Available for free on Public Domain sites
Highly recommended
CONTENT: PG (for very brief but strong violence and some racially offensive descriptions of the Chinese)
August 2, 2019
Συνήθως τα πολύ περιγραφικά βιβλία δεν με εντυπωσιάζουν και θεωρώ ότι υπονομεύουν την αφήγηση.Ο Λοτί με τις περιγραφές της φύσης που συνδυάζονται αρμονικά και οργανικά με τα αφηγηματικά μέρη δημιουργεί ένα μυθιστόρημα σαν ιμπρεσιονιστικό καμβά.Η θεματολογία του; Έντονα ανθρωπινη, ο θάνατος που καλύπτει τη ζωή, που με τη σειρά της συνεχίζει δραματικά και αμετάκλητα.
May 31, 2019
Μέσα σ'αυτήν την οιονεί αυγή που γεννιόταν, τα μάτια άνοιγαν περισσότερο και το πνεύμα, πιο ζωηρό, συλλαμβανε καλύτερα την απεραντοσύνη των οριζόντων• τότε τα όρια του ορατού διαστήματος απομακρύνονταν ακόμα περισσότερο, σαν να τρεπονταν σε αέναη φυγή.
Η ερωτική επαφή με την θάλασσα και τους ανθρώπους της, που σε παραδίδουν σ'αυτό το ιδιαίτερο είδος φόβου που γεννιέται από τη συνάφεια με τους τρελούς.
Η ερωτική επαφή με την θάλασσα και τους ανθρώπους της, που σε παραδίδουν σ'αυτό το ιδιαίτερο είδος φόβου που γεννιέται από τη συνάφεια με τους τρελούς.
November 8, 2019
Μια γλυκόπικρη θαλασσινή και ανθρώπινη ιστορία. Λόγος απλός, λυρικός και ταξιδιαρικος. Δύσκολο πράγμα να είσαι ψαράς σε εκείνα τα νερά και ακόμα πιο δύσκολο για αυτούς που μένουν πίσω...
February 5, 2023
Ποιητικό, συγκινητικό, υπέροχο.
December 14, 2023
Pubblicato nel 1886 questo romanzo di Pierre Loti, pseudonimo di Louis Marie-Julien Viaud [1850-1923], si è rivelata sin dalle prime pagine un’appassionante lettura di avventure, amore e morte ambientata tra i villaggi bretoni dell’estremità nord-ovest della Francia e i pescosi banchi dell’oceano Atlantico a ridosso della gelida Islanda.
Un’opera scritta con mano sicura dall’autore, bravo a raccontare e a descrivere la difficile vita dei pescatori, il loro duro lavoro non privo di rischi e pericoli, i loro sentimenti e i moti dell’anima, ma altrettanto preciso a entrare nel cuore e nelle palpitanti paure di chi rimane a casa ad attendere, a pregare che nessun pericolo vada a toccare i propri congiunti e infine a tratteggiare con padronanza il mare, le tempeste, i pericoli naturali sempre in agguato.
Un’opera scritta con mano sicura dall’autore, bravo a raccontare e a descrivere la difficile vita dei pescatori, il loro duro lavoro non privo di rischi e pericoli, i loro sentimenti e i moti dell’anima, ma altrettanto preciso a entrare nel cuore e nelle palpitanti paure di chi rimane a casa ad attendere, a pregare che nessun pericolo vada a toccare i propri congiunti e infine a tratteggiare con padronanza il mare, le tempeste, i pericoli naturali sempre in agguato.
October 3, 2021
Αυτό το μικρό βιβλιαράκι όντως το απόλαυσα παρόλο που στην αρχή ήμουν λιγάκι διστακτική. Είναι ένα όμορφο ψυχογράφημα από αυτά που σε ταξιδεύουν σε απέραντες θάλασσες, θαλασσινά τοπία, σε χωριουδάκια που αναδύονται ποικίλες μυρωδιές. Μέρη στα οποία το μυαλό ταξιδεύει κ χάνεται… όπως χάνονται αμέτρητες ψυχές στα κύματα της θάλασσας.
Άνθρωποι που εργάζονται σκληρά για να επιβιώσουν, γυναίκες και μάνες μένουν πίσω περιμένοντας τα παλικάρια τους να επιστρέψουν. Προσμένουν κάθε φορά για ένα τους φιλί, μια αγκαλιά. Μήνες θαλασσοπνίγονται… με την ελπίδα να γυρίσουν στο σπίτι τους, στην οικογένειά τους. Όσοι χάνονται έχουν πίσω ανθρώπους να τους τιμήσουν. Αυτοί που μένουν όμως πίσω πονούν μια ζωή…
May 29, 2011
“Un de ces jours, oui, je ferai mes noces, mais avec aucune des filles du pays ; non, moi, ce sera avec la mer, et je vous invite tous, ici tant que vous êtes, au bal que je donnerai...” Mots fatals de Yann, l’islandais, dits à ses compagnons de navire. Ils ne sont pas sincères, puisqu’il aime déjà une fille de Ploubazlanec (ce qu’il n’avouera pas par simple entêtement enfantin), mais tant pis, la mer l’entend.
C’est une histoire simple dans le fond mais riche en résonnances. Légèrement teintée de fantastique, et partout hanté par la mort. La côte bretonne, comme Loti la décrit, est toute entière un mémorial des matelots disparus en tentant d’arracher leur subsistence à la mer, qui semble les tolérer bien plus qu’elle ne les acueille. Les femmes en sont les plus sensibles, témoignent les deux de ce roman, la grand-mère Yvonne et la fiancée Gaud, qui sentent leurs vies s’écouler entre l’attente et la perte et décliner vers le tombeau.
Si les “simples gens” de ce roman sont un peu trop uniformément gentils pour paraître bien réels, la force de l’écriture, beau comme un rêve, réside dans l’évocation de la nature ménacante même dans sa rare beauté, et de cette mode de vie si précaire, mênée à bord de la mer dévorante.
C’est une histoire simple dans le fond mais riche en résonnances. Légèrement teintée de fantastique, et partout hanté par la mort. La côte bretonne, comme Loti la décrit, est toute entière un mémorial des matelots disparus en tentant d’arracher leur subsistence à la mer, qui semble les tolérer bien plus qu’elle ne les acueille. Les femmes en sont les plus sensibles, témoignent les deux de ce roman, la grand-mère Yvonne et la fiancée Gaud, qui sentent leurs vies s’écouler entre l’attente et la perte et décliner vers le tombeau.
Si les “simples gens” de ce roman sont un peu trop uniformément gentils pour paraître bien réels, la force de l’écriture, beau comme un rêve, réside dans l’évocation de la nature ménacante même dans sa rare beauté, et de cette mode de vie si précaire, mênée à bord de la mer dévorante.
February 1, 2018
This book is a sneaker. It seems like a simple story, written quite simply as well. But there was something in it that reminded me of Victor Hugo. Big themes. Really big themes for seemingly average characters. The pattern of lives. Someone said in their review that they knew what was going to happen from the beginning - exactly! We know what's going to happen from the beginning! With our own lives as well. There's a pattern, a rhythm, we recognize it, we feel it coming. We're tied to it. That's precisely what makes this book great.
March 29, 2023
mehmet aslantuğ'un hep açık e ile seslendirdiği, bütün kitap boyunca bitse de gitsek mooduyla ilk ciddi audiobookum olarak dinlerken o klişe sonuyla saçlarımı yaparken beni ağlattı.
December 2, 2021
I give it ⭐⭐⭐
Nice addition to my #readingchallenge as well as to my list.
Nice addition to my #readingchallenge as well as to my list.
Read
July 30, 2025Una de les pitjors experiències de la meva vida va ser en un albirament de balenes al nord d'Islàndia. Un antic vaixell de pesca reconvertit. Un mar enfurit. Una sensació tèrmica lacerant. Em vaig abandonar. Imaginava que en algun moment tornaríem a port, però em va arribar a ser igual si tornàvem o no. Vaig patir hipotèrmia.
La gràcia és que no em cal tant: em marejo com una sopa si hi ha quatre onades. Em sorprèn no haver-me marejat també amb les descripcions de Pierre Loti, tan detallades, tan versemblants, d'una tempesta al mar del nord, que m'ha fet pensar en aquella experiència islandesa. La vida dels pescadors bretons que anaven a pescar bacallans a Islàndia el segle XIX era molt dura. I incerta. Eren homes bregats, de pedra picada, però amb el mar no val a badar. L'estimaven i el temien a parts iguals. Cada tardor alguns dels vaixells ja no tornaven.
Però si els "islandesos" eren forts, no ho eren menys les seves dones, mares i àvies, les que es quedaven als poblets bretons esperant la tornada dels homes durant tot l'estiu. Pierre Loti descriu amb la mateixa cura i un llenguatge preciós la vida d'uns i altres, tant les seves lluites i accions, com els seus pensaments més íntims. I, sobretot, descriu la incertesa que viuen tots ells.
Pot semblar un argument poc atractiu, però és una lectura agradable i corprenedora alhora. No és alegre, és clar. Està plena de dolor, d'absències i de pèrdua. Però també es profunda i et fa sentir, et submergeix en les històries dels personatges i ho fa amb una prosa que és com una carícia.
Quan vaig veure aquest llibre em va cridar l'atenció de seguida, i això que ja us he explicat el meu historial mariner. Aquest cop no m'he marejat i no he alimentat els peixos, tot i que Loti m'ha transportat a alta mar i a l'interior dels seus protagonistes. L'experiència ha estat molt més satisfactòria. Perquè, a sobre, aquell dia no vam veure cap balena.
(SERGI)
La ressenya a Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DMnrjFqoJ2n/
La gràcia és que no em cal tant: em marejo com una sopa si hi ha quatre onades. Em sorprèn no haver-me marejat també amb les descripcions de Pierre Loti, tan detallades, tan versemblants, d'una tempesta al mar del nord, que m'ha fet pensar en aquella experiència islandesa. La vida dels pescadors bretons que anaven a pescar bacallans a Islàndia el segle XIX era molt dura. I incerta. Eren homes bregats, de pedra picada, però amb el mar no val a badar. L'estimaven i el temien a parts iguals. Cada tardor alguns dels vaixells ja no tornaven.
Però si els "islandesos" eren forts, no ho eren menys les seves dones, mares i àvies, les que es quedaven als poblets bretons esperant la tornada dels homes durant tot l'estiu. Pierre Loti descriu amb la mateixa cura i un llenguatge preciós la vida d'uns i altres, tant les seves lluites i accions, com els seus pensaments més íntims. I, sobretot, descriu la incertesa que viuen tots ells.
Pot semblar un argument poc atractiu, però és una lectura agradable i corprenedora alhora. No és alegre, és clar. Està plena de dolor, d'absències i de pèrdua. Però també es profunda i et fa sentir, et submergeix en les històries dels personatges i ho fa amb una prosa que és com una carícia.
Quan vaig veure aquest llibre em va cridar l'atenció de seguida, i això que ja us he explicat el meu historial mariner. Aquest cop no m'he marejat i no he alimentat els peixos, tot i que Loti m'ha transportat a alta mar i a l'interior dels seus protagonistes. L'experiència ha estat molt més satisfactòria. Perquè, a sobre, aquell dia no vam veure cap balena.
(SERGI)
La ressenya a Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DMnrjFqoJ2n/
January 14, 2021
Εκεί που η ιστορία συναντά τη μυθοπλασία και η λαογραφία τη λογοτεχνία, ο έρωτας του Γιαν και της Γκωντ γίνεται ο καμβάς, πάνω στον οποίο ο Πιερ Λοτί φιλοτεχνεί με ευαισθησία και καθηλωτικό χειρισμό του λόγου τις εικόνες μιας ζωής και μιας κοινωνίας ζυμωμένης με τον πόνο της απώλειας, συμφιλιωμένης με τον αποχωρισμό, συμβιβασμένης με τις ανίκητες βουλές της θάλασσας.
Ο συγγραφέας έζησε στα ψαροχώρια της Βρετάνης και η πέννα του έγινε μάρτυρας της πολύπαθης ιστορίας τους. Κάθε φράση, κάθε σελίδα του βιβλίου μάς παίρνει απ' το χέρι και μας ταξιδεύει σε κόσ��ους μακρινούς, σε καιρούς δύσκολους σε τόπους απόκοσμους. Και είναι, αλήθεια, αξιοθαύμαστη η λογοτεχνική του δεινότητα - και αντιστοιχα η μεταφραστικη δεξιοτεχνια της Ιφιγενειας Μποτουροπούλου - καθώς καταφέρνει να επιστρατεύσει τις πιο εκλεπτυσμένες λέξεις της γλώσσας του, για να περιγράψει τη ζοφερή πραγματικότητα του καιρού του.
Ένας πνιχτός λυγμός και μάτια βουρκωμένα από συγκίνηση είναι αυτό που μένει στο τέλος του βιβλίου, για το χαμό των ηρώων, για το βουβό και διαρκές πένθος των ανθρώπων, για το πείσμα της ζωής που συνεχίζεται αυθάδικα κάτω απ' το πέπλο του θανάτου, που σκεπάζει τις ακτές της Βρετάνης, όπως ακριβώς η ομίχλη χιμάει στη θάλασσα εκεί, στα ανοιχτά της Ισλανδίας.
Ο συγγραφέας έζησε στα ψαροχώρια της Βρετάνης και η πέννα του έγινε μάρτυρας της πολύπαθης ιστορίας τους. Κάθε φράση, κάθε σελίδα του βιβλίου μάς παίρνει απ' το χέρι και μας ταξιδεύει σε κόσ��ους μακρινούς, σε καιρούς δύσκολους σε τόπους απόκοσμους. Και είναι, αλήθεια, αξιοθαύμαστη η λογοτεχνική του δεινότητα - και αντιστοιχα η μεταφραστικη δεξιοτεχνια της Ιφιγενειας Μποτουροπούλου - καθώς καταφέρνει να επιστρατεύσει τις πιο εκλεπτυσμένες λέξεις της γλώσσας του, για να περιγράψει τη ζοφερή πραγματικότητα του καιρού του.
Ένας πνιχτός λυγμός και μάτια βουρκωμένα από συγκίνηση είναι αυτό που μένει στο τέλος του βιβλίου, για το χαμό των ηρώων, για το βουβό και διαρκές πένθος των ανθρώπων, για το πείσμα της ζωής που συνεχίζεται αυθάδικα κάτω απ' το πέπλο του θανάτου, που σκεπάζει τις ακτές της Βρετάνης, όπως ακριβώς η ομίχλη χιμάει στη θάλασσα εκεί, στα ανοιχτά της Ισλανδίας.
October 22, 2025
Klasický, romantický príbeh, ktorý mal všetky potrebné ingrediencie - veľkú lásku, neštastný osud, krásne, ale kruté prostredie a okolnosti... najmä však veľmi verne a zaujímavo približuje život bretónskych rybárov, tráviacich na konci 19. storočia zimy na Islande.
Mám rada takéto klasické romány.
Mám rada takéto klasické romány.
November 4, 2015
Why this is considered Loti's masterpiece is beyond me. I'm assuming what strengths he has lie in nonfiction travel writing, because his characterization and plotting are abysmal. I knew pretty much from the beginning what was going to happen, and the characters were so flat I didn't care. Not one iota. The absolute worst is the dialogue. I've literally never read dialogue that stilted before.
Honestly, I could forgive a cliche plot if the characters were better, but it was like they were made of cardboard. We get the sweet rich girl who's alienated from society, the strong but goodhearted sailor, the young guy everyone loves, the unlettered but wise grandma. Attempts at character development are completely lackluster. I don't think anybody actually changes, except the grandmother, who grows senile.
The only times I felt anything at all reading this book were during snatches of description--the very beginning, the wedding scene, and especially the image of migrating birds dropping out of the sky from exhaustion and being nursed to health by the French sailors. That was beautiful. Everything else? Ehhhh....
Honestly, I could forgive a cliche plot if the characters were better, but it was like they were made of cardboard. We get the sweet rich girl who's alienated from society, the strong but goodhearted sailor, the young guy everyone loves, the unlettered but wise grandma. Attempts at character development are completely lackluster. I don't think anybody actually changes, except the grandmother, who grows senile.
The only times I felt anything at all reading this book were during snatches of description--the very beginning, the wedding scene, and especially the image of migrating birds dropping out of the sky from exhaustion and being nursed to health by the French sailors. That was beautiful. Everything else? Ehhhh....
June 26, 2013
Este libro tiene un algo peculiar, quizá sea el encanto, la ingenuidad de las historias de antaño con su entrañable sencillez. Se trata de una historia de amor, una simple historia de amor aldeano que, al menos a mi, me trasladó a otra época en la que los barcos navegaban a vela y el ritmo de la vida era más pausado y basado en los pequeños detalles cotidianos. Como telón de fondo tenemos el mar —la mar, como gustan de llamarla los hombres que dependen de ella—, que da la vida o la quita a su antojo cuando menos te lo esperas.
August 26, 2021
Beklediğim kadar güzel bir kitap değildi nedense anlatımı hep eksik hissettirdi. Ama sonunu beğendim ve deniz temalı olması da beğenimi etkiledi. Balıkçıların hayatları, kasaba hayatı ve küçük bir aşk hikayesi.
May 31, 2013
La amistad, la aventura, el amor...
La espera.
El dolor.
Este libro es una perla. Las descripciones y los paisajes son sencillamente increíbles; es el impresionismo hecho literatura.
La espera.
El dolor.
Este libro es una perla. Las descripciones y los paisajes son sencillamente increíbles; es el impresionismo hecho literatura.
December 9, 2025
Πόσο ωραίο, συγκινητικό, γλαφυρό, όμορφο, ένα βιβλίο μουντό, γκρίζο, που δεν σε αφήνει να το αφήσεις, γλυκόπικρο, ένα δίκαιο 5αρι, μια από τις φετινές μου αναγνωστικές εκπλήξεις.
March 5, 2021
Μια ιστορία που με συγκίνησε βαθιά.. Η πληθώρα των περιγραφών οι οποίες σε άλλα βιβλία θα μπορούσαν να με κουράσουν και να με αποτρέψουν από το να συνεχίσω την ανάγνωση τους, σε αυτό το βιβλίο λειτούργησαν με αντίθετο τρόπο. Βρήκα πραγματικά αξιοθαύμαστη την ικανότητα του Λοτί να δίνει τόσο όμορφες (ιμπρεσιονιστικού τύπου) περιγραφές και τις απόλαυσα σε μεγάλο βαθμό. Και σίγουρα η μεταφράστρια έκανε εξαιρετική δουλειά!
Όσον αφορά τη θεματολογία του, ο Λοτί κατάφερε να μου μεταφέρει τη θλίψη για όσους πέθαναν στα νερά της ατμοσφαιρικής και γοητευτικά επικίνδυνης Ισλανδίας αλλά κυρίως (ως γυναίκα) να με κάνει να συναισθανθώ τον πόνο και την αγωνία των γυναικών που έμειναν πίσω..
«Να περιμένει, πάντα να περιμένει χωρίς να ξέρει τίποτα! Πότε θα ερχόταν η στιγμή που πράγματι δεν θα περίμενε πια; Ούτε αυτό το ήξερε, και τώρα σχεδόν βιαζόταν να συμβεί σύντομα.
Ω! Αν είχε πεθάνει τουλάχιστον να της το έλεγαν από οίκτο!...
Ω! Να τον έβλεπε όπως ήταν αυτή τη στιγμή – εκείνον ή ό,τι απέμενε από εκείνον!...»
Δίνω 4 αστέρια, μόνο και μόνο επειδή θα προτιμούσα να δοθεί λίγη περισσότερη βαρύτητα στην πλοκή. Αν και τότε η συγκίνηση θα μου ήταν περισσότερο ανυπόφορη..
Όσον αφορά τη θεματολογία του, ο Λοτί κατάφερε να μου μεταφέρει τη θλίψη για όσους πέθαναν στα νερά της ατμοσφαιρικής και γοητευτικά επικίνδυνης Ισλανδίας αλλά κυρίως (ως γυναίκα) να με κάνει να συναισθανθώ τον πόνο και την αγωνία των γυναικών που έμειναν πίσω..
«Να περιμένει, πάντα να περιμένει χωρίς να ξέρει τίποτα! Πότε θα ερχόταν η στιγμή που πράγματι δεν θα περίμενε πια; Ούτε αυτό το ήξερε, και τώρα σχεδόν βιαζόταν να συμβεί σύντομα.
Ω! Αν είχε πεθάνει τουλάχιστον να της το έλεγαν από οίκτο!...
Ω! Να τον έβλεπε όπως ήταν αυτή τη στιγμή – εκείνον ή ό,τι απέμενε από εκείνον!...»
Δίνω 4 αστέρια, μόνο και μόνο επειδή θα προτιμούσα να δοθεί λίγη περισσότερη βαρύτητα στην πλοκή. Αν και τότε η συγκίνηση θα μου ήταν περισσότερο ανυπόφορη..
July 26, 2022
"Et ce banc, qui avait plus d’un siècle, ne s’étonnait pas de leur amour, en ayant déjà vu bien d’autres ; il en avait bien entendu, des douces paroles, sortir, toujours les mêmes, de génération en génération, de la bouche des jeunes, et il était habitué à voir les amoureux revenir plus tard, changés en vieux branlants et en vieilles tremblotantes, s’asseoir à la même place, — mais dans le jour alors, pour respirer encore un peu d’air et se chauffer à leur dernier soleil…"
May 10, 2022
Aynı anda bir kaç kitap okuyorum..sıkılırsam diğerine geçiyor ve sıkıldığım kİtaba bir şans daha vermek istiyorum genelde..bu kitap maalesef sıkıldığım kitaplar arasına girdi..deniz üzerine yazılmış bir eser..
May 9, 2023
3.5⭐
Un langage poétique, désuet, bien élevé. On se sent enveloppé dans ces superbes descriptions. Et très vite, on sent poindre un drame déchirant. Une histoire de marins, une histoire d'amour dans toute sa pureté sur laquelle plane la menace de la Mer impérieuse, possessive et funeste.
Un langage poétique, désuet, bien élevé. On se sent enveloppé dans ces superbes descriptions. Et très vite, on sent poindre un drame déchirant. Une histoire de marins, une histoire d'amour dans toute sa pureté sur laquelle plane la menace de la Mer impérieuse, possessive et funeste.
June 23, 2025
Sade, çabasız ve ustaca betimlemelerle sarılmış bir aşk hikayesi. Sayfaları okurken deniz kokusunu, denizcilerin yaşamını, ayrılıkları, umudu ve uzun bekleyişleri içinizde hissediyorsunuz.
Akıcı bir klasik okuma sizi bekliyor.
Akıcı bir klasik okuma sizi bekliyor.
February 15, 2020
Yakın zamanda edindiğim bir kitabı hemen okumayı özlemişim. Her ay bir klasik kitap okumak istiyorum ve aylık okumalarıma ekliyorum elimden geldiğince. Bu ay için de başka bir kitap düşünüyordum ama araya İzlanda Balıkçısı kitabını almak istedim. Böyle bir şey yaptığım için de asla pişman olmadım çünkü kitap o kadar naif ve tatlıydı ki okurken bana çok keyif verdi. Adını yazarlığından çok İstanbul'dan duyduğumuz Pierre Loti'nin bu naiflikte bir kitap yazmış olması beni çok keyiflendirdi ve bu kısa ama dolu kitabı okuyup bitirdim.
Kitap bir denizcilik öyküsüne sürüklüyor bizi. Fransa'nın bir şehrinde bir kaç aileye ve bu ailelerden bir kaç karaktere odaklanıyoruz. Sylvester, daha 17 yaşında; gayet çalışkan bir çocuk. Askerlik görevi gelene kadar her sene İzlanda'ya gidip ilkbaharda ve yazda balık avlamaya giden bir çok büyük gemiden Marie adındaki gemide çalışan gençlerden sadece biri. Kardeşi, Sylvester ile sözlü olan Yann ise yirmilerinin ortalarını geride bırakmış, güçlü ve çalışkan bir genç fakat çevresi ne kadar ısrar etse de evlenmek istemeyen hatta kendi tabiriyle kendisi "Denizle evli". Bir gün av dönüşü Fransa'da bir kutlamada kendisine platonik aşık olan ve aynı zamanda Sylvester'ın da kuzeni olan Gaud ile dans ediyor ve ikisi de birbirinden hoşlanmaya başlıyor. Gaud bu aşka karşı oldukça hevesli ama aileler arasındaki zenginlik farkından dolayı Yann kendisini biraz geri çekiyor ve aynı zamanda evliliğe karşı da olan tavırları hala devam ediyor. Kitapta bu karakterlerin başından geçenleri okuyoruz daha çok. Erkekleri denizcilikle uğraşan, kimi zaman denizlerde kaybolan, denizlerde can veren oğullara, eşlere, babalara, torunlara sahip bu ailelerin, dönemin ekonomik zorlukları, iletişimin kıtlığı gibi sıkıntılarla yaşadıkları dramatik ve romantik hayata kısa da olsa tanık oluyoruz bu kitapta.
Uzun zamandır okuduğum en naif romanlardan biri olabilir İzlanda Balıkçısı. Pierre Loti'nin anlatımı o kadar sahici ve naifti ki okurken yer yer içimi ısıttı, yer yer de beni üzdü ama böyle tatlı ve sevimli bir hikaye okumuş gibi bir hisse girdim her ne kadar kitapta dramatik şeyler de yoğunlukta olsa da... Yazar dramatikliği bile o kadar sıcak işlemiş ki okurken sizi üzmekten çok acı bir tebessümle devam ettiriyor kitaptaki yolculuğunuza. Betimlemeleri güzeldi Pierre Loti'nin. Sonu tahmin edilebilir bir şekilde bitti ama beni rahatsız eden bir şey yoktu bu anlamda. Kolay okunacağını düşündüğüm bu klasik belki çok bilinmedik bir konuya sahip değil ama yazarın anlatımıyla ve kurgunun inceliğiyle sizi sürüklüyor. Kitabın bazı yerleri yer yer beni sıktı ama bu yerler çok fazla değildi. Belki en fazla 15 20 sayfa... O da, denizcilik terimlerine falan çok aşina olmadığım için olabilir. Kitap tam yerinde bitti, ne kısa olduğu için üzüldüm ne de yazar gereksiz yere uzatmıştı konuyu.
Acı-tatlı bir roman okumak isteyenler için güzel bir seçim olabilecek bu kitabı, klasiklere yeni başlayacak birilerine tavsiye edebilirim. Ben okurken keyif aldım açıkçası. Hiç bilmediğimiz şeylerden neler neler çıkabiliyor.
Kitap bir denizcilik öyküsüne sürüklüyor bizi. Fransa'nın bir şehrinde bir kaç aileye ve bu ailelerden bir kaç karaktere odaklanıyoruz. Sylvester, daha 17 yaşında; gayet çalışkan bir çocuk. Askerlik görevi gelene kadar her sene İzlanda'ya gidip ilkbaharda ve yazda balık avlamaya giden bir çok büyük gemiden Marie adındaki gemide çalışan gençlerden sadece biri. Kardeşi, Sylvester ile sözlü olan Yann ise yirmilerinin ortalarını geride bırakmış, güçlü ve çalışkan bir genç fakat çevresi ne kadar ısrar etse de evlenmek istemeyen hatta kendi tabiriyle kendisi "Denizle evli". Bir gün av dönüşü Fransa'da bir kutlamada kendisine platonik aşık olan ve aynı zamanda Sylvester'ın da kuzeni olan Gaud ile dans ediyor ve ikisi de birbirinden hoşlanmaya başlıyor. Gaud bu aşka karşı oldukça hevesli ama aileler arasındaki zenginlik farkından dolayı Yann kendisini biraz geri çekiyor ve aynı zamanda evliliğe karşı da olan tavırları hala devam ediyor. Kitapta bu karakterlerin başından geçenleri okuyoruz daha çok. Erkekleri denizcilikle uğraşan, kimi zaman denizlerde kaybolan, denizlerde can veren oğullara, eşlere, babalara, torunlara sahip bu ailelerin, dönemin ekonomik zorlukları, iletişimin kıtlığı gibi sıkıntılarla yaşadıkları dramatik ve romantik hayata kısa da olsa tanık oluyoruz bu kitapta.
Uzun zamandır okuduğum en naif romanlardan biri olabilir İzlanda Balıkçısı. Pierre Loti'nin anlatımı o kadar sahici ve naifti ki okurken yer yer içimi ısıttı, yer yer de beni üzdü ama böyle tatlı ve sevimli bir hikaye okumuş gibi bir hisse girdim her ne kadar kitapta dramatik şeyler de yoğunlukta olsa da... Yazar dramatikliği bile o kadar sıcak işlemiş ki okurken sizi üzmekten çok acı bir tebessümle devam ettiriyor kitaptaki yolculuğunuza. Betimlemeleri güzeldi Pierre Loti'nin. Sonu tahmin edilebilir bir şekilde bitti ama beni rahatsız eden bir şey yoktu bu anlamda. Kolay okunacağını düşündüğüm bu klasik belki çok bilinmedik bir konuya sahip değil ama yazarın anlatımıyla ve kurgunun inceliğiyle sizi sürüklüyor. Kitabın bazı yerleri yer yer beni sıktı ama bu yerler çok fazla değildi. Belki en fazla 15 20 sayfa... O da, denizcilik terimlerine falan çok aşina olmadığım için olabilir. Kitap tam yerinde bitti, ne kısa olduğu için üzüldüm ne de yazar gereksiz yere uzatmıştı konuyu.
Acı-tatlı bir roman okumak isteyenler için güzel bir seçim olabilecek bu kitabı, klasiklere yeni başlayacak birilerine tavsiye edebilirim. Ben okurken keyif aldım açıkçası. Hiç bilmediğimiz şeylerden neler neler çıkabiliyor.
February 8, 2021
Καταρχάς το βιβλίο αυτό γράφτηκε το 1886, αυτό και μόνο δίνει άλλη αξία σε τούτο το έργο.
Ένα βιβλίο αρκετά περιγραφικό, ίσως λίγο περισσότερο περιγραφικό για τα γούστα τα δικά μου. Ένας φόρος τιμής στους ναυτικούς της Βρετάνης που χάθηκαν στις θάλασσες της Ισλανδίας και τις γυναίκες τους , τις μητέρες τους ,τις αγαπημένες τους που έμειναν πίσω.
Στο κέντρο μια ιστορία αγάπης " και καθώς τα μάτια τους συναντιούνταν,πιο γρήγορα και από πυροβολισμό,οι γκρίζες κόρες των ματιών της φάνηκαν να διαστέλλονται, να φωτίζονται από κάποια φλογισμένη σκέψη, να εκπέμπουν μια αληθινή γαλάζια λάμψη,ενώ το πρόσωπο της είχε ροδισει μέχρι τους κροτάφους,μέχρι τις ξανθιές κοτσίδες της."
Ένα βιβλίο ταξιδιάρικο που μυρίζει θάλασσα.
Ένα βιβλίο αρκετά περιγραφικό, ίσως λίγο περισσότερο περιγραφικό για τα γούστα τα δικά μου. Ένας φόρος τιμής στους ναυτικούς της Βρετάνης που χάθηκαν στις θάλασσες της Ισλανδίας και τις γυναίκες τους , τις μητέρες τους ,τις αγαπημένες τους που έμειναν πίσω.
Στο κέντρο μια ιστορία αγάπης " και καθώς τα μάτια τους συναντιούνταν,πιο γρήγορα και από πυροβολισμό,οι γκρίζες κόρες των ματιών της φάνηκαν να διαστέλλονται, να φωτίζονται από κάποια φλογισμένη σκέψη, να εκπέμπουν μια αληθινή γαλάζια λάμψη,ενώ το πρόσωπο της είχε ροδισει μέχρι τους κροτάφους,μέχρι τις ξανθιές κοτσίδες της."
Ένα βιβλίο ταξιδιάρικο που μυρίζει θάλασσα.
August 15, 2019
İçinde deniz taşıyan hikayelerin yeri başka, içinde deniz taşıyan insanların da. Beş sene sonra beni bu güzel kitapla Datça'da yeniden buluşturan güzel kalpli Zeren'e teşekkür ediyorum.
https://www.instagram.com/p/p7I6R2QH8...
https://www.instagram.com/p/BzyakyzJy...
https://www.instagram.com/p/p7I6R2QH8...
https://www.instagram.com/p/BzyakyzJy...
December 12, 2019
I found a 1890 edition of this book in a used bookshop in Stillwater, Minnesota, and bought it simply because it was old. Turns out it was a good read, to boot. Transported me to the world of 19th century cod fisherman off the coast of Iceland, and to their winter homes on the coast of Brittany, as well. Recommended.
June 15, 2016
Iceland fisherman by Loti, Pierre
Tales of the fisherman from Iceland and the struggles they face when they go out to sea.
Also about those who wait for them on land.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Tales of the fisherman from Iceland and the struggles they face when they go out to sea.
Also about those who wait for them on land.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
February 20, 2022
Après ma lecture du dernier Ian Manook, « A Islande », j'ai eu envie de relire le célèbre Pêcheur d'Islande de Pierre Loti , évoqué d'ailleurs dans le livre.
Si les deux livres parlent bien de la même pêche à la morue où s'embarquaient de nombreux habitants de Paimpol et des petites bourgs alentours, pas grand chose de commun entre les deux romans .
Chez Pierre Loti, j'ai retrouvé avec plaisir une écriture simple et poétique, une belle romance pleine de pudeur et de fierté, des portraits touchants de ces femmes qui attendent leurs hommes partis pour des mois en mer et qui pour certains ne reviendront pas.
J'ai aimé les descriptions des petites maisons au toit de chaume, des chemins creux bordés de genêts sauvages, des paysages maritimes et du souffle du vent et des tempêtes.
J'ai reconnu l'importance de la religion, les pardons, la chapelle de Perros-Hamon et les « mémoires » où sont inscrits les noms des marins disparus en mer, la Croas Pell (la croix au loin) rebaptisée par Pierre Loti Croix des Veuves d'où les femmes viennent scruter la mer, remplies d'espoir et de crainte...
C'est une lecture plaisante , encore aujourd'hui, c'est certain.
Il faut savoir, cependant, que les historiens sont très critiques à l'égard de ce roman pour la vision très romanesque mais peu réaliste de la vie des Islandais (pêcheurs à Islande), qui , selon eux, ne rend pas justice à ces hommes et à ce qu'ils ont enduré et qui passe sous silence la responsabilité des armateurs dans les lourdes pertes humaines de ces campagnes de pêche ( environ 2000 morts pour l'ensemble de la période )
Ainsi Jean Kerleveo écrivait en 1944 , dans « Paimpol au temps d'Islande » :
« La poésie de Loti a voilé d'un halo de brume la vie du pêcheur d'Islande et bercé d'harmonieuses phrases mélancoliques les souffrances, les nostalgies, les duretés de son métier... Les couplets sentimentaux sur la vie des pêcheurs de morue sont généralement odieux ; la réalité est bien différente de ce que prétend la littérature et aussi plus brutale »
On peut donc se laisser emporter par le lyrisme de Pierre Loti, sans méconnaître le côté très « idéalisé » de ses personnages masculins, le beau Yann en tête !
Pour vraiment comprendre la pêche à Islande, il faudra compléter par le roman de Ian Manook.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews