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Flights of Love: Stories
A collection of stories that weave themselves around the idea of love---love to seek and love to flee; love as desire, as guilt, as confusion or self-betrayal; love as habit, as affair, and as life-changing rebellion.
From the internationally best-selling author of The Reader, here is a collection of stories that weave themselves around the idea of love---love to seek and love to flee; love as desire, as guilt, as confusion or self-betrayal; love as habit, as affair, and as life-changing rebellion.
As his myriad fans know from The Reader, Bernhard Schlink's power as a storyteller resides in his cool compassion and in the intelligence that he wields like a laser to penetrate human motives and human behavior. Here his subject is not history but the heart itself, and with the forensic delicacy of a master he lays bare the essence of our feelings.
Already an enormous success in the author's native Germany, Flights of Love is certain to be celebrated, discussed, read and re-read.
From the internationally best-selling author of The Reader, here is a collection of stories that weave themselves around the idea of love---love to seek and love to flee; love as desire, as guilt, as confusion or self-betrayal; love as habit, as affair, and as life-changing rebellion.
As his myriad fans know from The Reader, Bernhard Schlink's power as a storyteller resides in his cool compassion and in the intelligence that he wields like a laser to penetrate human motives and human behavior. Here his subject is not history but the heart itself, and with the forensic delicacy of a master he lays bare the essence of our feelings.
Already an enormous success in the author's native Germany, Flights of Love is certain to be celebrated, discussed, read and re-read.
309 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2000
195 people are currently reading
2330 people want to read
About the author
Bernhard Schlink
79 books2,268 followersBernhard Schlink is a German lawyer, academic, and novelist. He is best known for his novel The Reader, which was first published in 1995 and became an international bestseller. He won the 2014 Park Kyong-ni Prize.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 260 reviews
May 6, 2019
"Flights of Love" is a collection of seven short stories that center on love. These are not sweet, sentimental stories since the protagonists are German men, mostly lawyers or law students, that view their emotions with cool, analytic minds. The stories are about communication problems, love that has lost passion, regrets, and midlife crisis mentalities. A few stories deal with the way that people regard younger Germans (who were not alive during World War II) because the Holocaust had such devastating effects, including a story about the love of a young man for a painting with a questionable provenance. As a group, the stories are a mixed bag with some having a heavy feeling to them.
October 23, 2025
Чудесен сборник - дълбоки като смисъл и изпълнение разкази, препоръчвам го горещо!
Шлинк е майстор!
Шлинк е майстор!
March 26, 2025
این کتاب برای من خیلی عزیز بود. مجموعهای از هفت داستان که توی بیشترشون پای تاریخ آلمان در میون بود ولی بر محور روابط انسانی و احساسات و معنی زندگی میچرخید.
کرکترها همگی دغدغهی عشق و زندگی و خانواده رو داشتند. داستانها اونقدر کوتاه نبودند که نتونم درگیرشون بشم و پیش از اینکه باهاشون ارتباط بگیرم، به پایان برسن و اونقدر بلند نبودند که تأثیرشون رو از دست بدن. دقیقا به اندازه و کافی با نقطهی شروع و پایان مشخصی که خواننده رو گیج نکنه.
با خوندن هر داستان، مدتی بهشون فکر میکردم و به خودم یادآوری و تأکید میکردم که مبادا مثل فلان کرکتر باشی، حواست باشه تو هم جسارت بهمان کرکتر رو داشته باشی و از خودم میپرسیدم که آیا تو هم مثل این کرکتر فکر میکنی؟
شاید اونقدرها هم کتاب خاصی نباشه و صد البته که کتابهای بهتری توی این سبک وجود داره ولی خوشحالم که این مدت، صبحها با خوندن این کتاب روزم رو شروع میکردم و احساسات کرکترها رو لمس میکردم. برای من لذتبخش بود =))))
کرکترها همگی دغدغهی عشق و زندگی و خانواده رو داشتند. داستانها اونقدر کوتاه نبودند که نتونم درگیرشون بشم و پیش از اینکه باهاشون ارتباط بگیرم، به پایان برسن و اونقدر بلند نبودند که تأثیرشون رو از دست بدن. دقیقا به اندازه و کافی با نقطهی شروع و پایان مشخصی که خواننده رو گیج نکنه.
با خوندن هر داستان، مدتی بهشون فکر میکردم و به خودم یادآوری و تأکید میکردم که مبادا مثل فلان کرکتر باشی، حواست باشه تو هم جسارت بهمان کرکتر رو داشته باشی و از خودم میپرسیدم که آیا تو هم مثل این کرکتر فکر میکنی؟
شاید اونقدرها هم کتاب خاصی نباشه و صد البته که کتابهای بهتری توی این سبک وجود داره ولی خوشحالم که این مدت، صبحها با خوندن این کتاب روزم رو شروع میکردم و احساسات کرکترها رو لمس میکردم. برای من لذتبخش بود =))))
March 31, 2012
I have never really been one for short stories. Something in them doesn't suit me and they generally leave me with a feeling of dissatisfaction. This collection, by Bernhard Schlink of The Reader fame, could not have made me feel more different. With the thread running through them all, these stories examines our shared, fundamental desire to find love but the many different forms that love, that one, lasting relationship can take. The characters leading these stories are all very different people and yet Schlink is able to draw out this common need in all of them whilst skilfully creating a range of atmoshperes and feelings for the reader. Whilst some of the stories create empathy for the pain and guilt of its protagonists, others haunt and still others are shot through with almost wicked humour.
Of all of them, my favourite to read was 'Sugar Peas' in which the rogue-ish Thomas takes himself off for a year, masquerading as a monk (of the fictitious Order of St. Thomas - vain sod!. He has worn himself out keeping three lives going at once: his family in Berlin with his wife with whom her runs an architectural firm, his 'second family' of Veronika and their daughter Klara in Hamburg, where she sells his paintings through her gallery, and his girlfriend Helga, back in Berlin again, who is young, determined, and whose dental clinic he is financing. When a dreadful accident brings his escape to an end, his self-involvement and selfishness comes back to bite him and we are left in no doubt as to where the power now lies!
The most effecting, however, is probably the story that concludes the collection - 'The Woman at the Gas Station'. This story has such a well of sadness in it as the man in it is confronted by the fact that his life, which has been held together by the rituals and habits of a not unhappy marriage, has not made him happy when a long-held dream comes before him as a possible reality.
This story was a poignant note on which to end the collection, but I wished there had been more.
Of all of them, my favourite to read was 'Sugar Peas' in which the rogue-ish Thomas takes himself off for a year, masquerading as a monk (of the fictitious Order of St. Thomas - vain sod!. He has worn himself out keeping three lives going at once: his family in Berlin with his wife with whom her runs an architectural firm, his 'second family' of Veronika and their daughter Klara in Hamburg, where she sells his paintings through her gallery, and his girlfriend Helga, back in Berlin again, who is young, determined, and whose dental clinic he is financing. When a dreadful accident brings his escape to an end, his self-involvement and selfishness comes back to bite him and we are left in no doubt as to where the power now lies!
The most effecting, however, is probably the story that concludes the collection - 'The Woman at the Gas Station'. This story has such a well of sadness in it as the man in it is confronted by the fact that his life, which has been held together by the rituals and habits of a not unhappy marriage, has not made him happy when a long-held dream comes before him as a possible reality.
This story was a poignant note on which to end the collection, but I wished there had been more.
August 31, 2025
اکثر داستانها بسیار قوی و پرکشش شروع میشد و گره داستان خیلی خوب شکل میگرفت اما در انتها توقع را برآورده نمیکرد و گره داستانی خوب باز نمیشد. پایان باز برای اکثر داستانها ظرفیت کافی برای تفکر و تردید نداشت. به نظرم داستان ختنه اوج کتاب بود و بسیار با آن ارتباط گرفتم. احتمالا این داستان برای ما ایرانیها موجب همزادپنداری زیادی میشود.
نویسنده خیلی خوب و قوی دانه داستان را میکارد و پرورش میدهد اما موقع چیدن میوه خواننده را تا حدی مایوس میکند.
در کل کتابی خواندنی و تفکربرانگیز است.
نویسنده خیلی خوب و قوی دانه داستان را میکارد و پرورش میدهد اما موقع چیدن میوه خواننده را تا حدی مایوس میکند.
در کل کتابی خواندنی و تفکربرانگیز است.
December 12, 2022
《هو الحق》
من نسخهی صوتی "دیگری" که از داستانهای این کتاب بود رو از طاقچه شنیدم، به نظرم متن و گویندگی خیلی خوبی داشت.
به نظرم دیگری روایت جالبی بود دربارهی عشق و زندگی مشترک از زاویهای که کمتر بهش پرداخته شده.
تصور کنید مدتی بعد از مرگ همسرتون نامهای دریافت میکنید به نام او، احتمالا با خودتون میگید که فراموش کردید به شخص فرستنده خبر بدید که همسرتون فوت شده و نامه رو باز میکنید تا بفهمید کیه و بعد براش بنویسید که همسرتون دیگه بین ما نیست. اما چی میشه اگر اون نامه، نامهای عاشقانه باشه؟
من دیگری رو خیلی دوست داشتم، احتمالا سر فرصت کل کتاب رو بخونم🌼🌻
من نسخهی صوتی "دیگری" که از داستانهای این کتاب بود رو از طاقچه شنیدم، به نظرم متن و گویندگی خیلی خوبی داشت.
به نظرم دیگری روایت جالبی بود دربارهی عشق و زندگی مشترک از زاویهای که کمتر بهش پرداخته شده.
تصور کنید مدتی بعد از مرگ همسرتون نامهای دریافت میکنید به نام او، احتمالا با خودتون میگید که فراموش کردید به شخص فرستنده خبر بدید که همسرتون فوت شده و نامه رو باز میکنید تا بفهمید کیه و بعد براش بنویسید که همسرتون دیگه بین ما نیست. اما چی میشه اگر اون نامه، نامهای عاشقانه باشه؟
من دیگری رو خیلی دوست داشتم، احتمالا سر فرصت کل کتاب رو بخونم🌼🌻
February 12, 2024
روایتهایی ساده و دلنشین با پایانبندیهای غافلگیرکننده👌
April 26, 2025
داستان های اول کتاب گیرایی بسیار زیادی دارن ولی من در آخر تمام داستان ها حس نا تموم موندن داشتم😅 در کل دوست داشتم کتاب رو
February 23, 2019
sedam priča međusobno nepovezanih, ali svima im je zajedničko da ocrtavaju ljubavne i neljubavne priče i sudbine koje proizlaze iz njih. pisano nepretenciozno, bez nepotrebne dramatike, humanost nalazimo u svakom od mnogobrojnih likova... svi su oni - ljudi od krvi i mesa, od osmijeha i suza, od ponosa i krivice, od pokušaja i pogrešaka. u svakoj priči postoji "okret", "klik" koji se može dogoditi u svakome od nas: presjek čovječanstva kroz 230 stranica.
December 27, 2011
Picked this up because I wanted to get beyond the tortured obsessions of Homecoming, and Schlink is so highly thought of, I wondered whether I was being overly critical. Happily this collection of short stories is much better, although not uniformly. The first, “Girl and Lizard” is written in the same dessicated and tortured style that beset Homecoming, only this time it’s over a painting. It’s also marred by Schlink’s tendency to sink into a courtroom inquisition substitute for conversation that sounds ludicrous when it’s a middle-aged son asking his aged mother about her past. A couple of others left me unmoved too for the same reasons, but several, eg “the Son” about a Jewish American and a German, are full of compassion and understanding of complex relationships.
But oh, god, are his characters ever so rational and reasonable, even at the height of their anger or despair! Surely somewhere in these seven stories someone would fly off the handle and say or do something they would later regret, without first weighing the consequences?
But oh, god, are his characters ever so rational and reasonable, even at the height of their anger or despair! Surely somewhere in these seven stories someone would fly off the handle and say or do something they would later regret, without first weighing the consequences?
May 12, 2019
Bản dịch hay, sách không quá hay. Các nhà văn Đức luôn có gì đấy nặng nề, khô khan. Trong cuốn sách tựa đề dường như nói về tình yêu này, một phần lớn dung lượng thật ra lại là đề cập các chủ đề mà người Đức đương đại luôn bị giằng xé: Diệt chủng Do Thái, Bức tường Đông Tây, Quá khứ Đức Quốc Xã. Thành thử độc giả càng đọc càng thấy như mình bị đánh lừa - họ sẽ không tìm thấy bao nhiêu tình yêu trong này mà chỉ có cuộc sống nặng nề, những trăn trở thân phận hay quá khứ ác mộng luôn trở lại. Ngoài ra sách còn vài truyện mô tả cuộc đời ở góc độ khá phổ quát mà hay hơn cả là Người Khác.
July 5, 2018
„Кога ли човек трябва да си признае, че един спор не е само спор? Че не е буря, след която слънцето отново грейва, нито е дъждовен сезон, след който идва по-приятен, а просто е обиконвено лошо време? Че сдобряването нищо не променя, нищо не решава, а е признак единствено на изтощение и поставя началото на по-кратка или по-дълга пауза, след която спорът отново се подновява?“
Ако искате да се пазите от констатации, че любовта не е дълготрайна, че (почти) всичко е илюзия, измама, мисля, че Шлинк не е подходящият автор. Поне на мен ми действа скапващо – не че се самозалъгвам с надежди за някакво вечно щастие, но вече във втора книга с разкази на Шлинк преобладава идеята „всичко е лъжа“. Не зная дали аз пресилвам това усещане или наистина си е такъв автор, поне с разказите.
„- Говорила ли ти е по време на почивката си за мен? Или може би за някой друг мъж?
- Не, не е. Срамота е да задаваш такива въпроси за мама.“
Добре че в „Бягства от любов“ поне в три разказа видях нов елемент – съвестта на „малкия“ и „големия“ човек по време на войни, диктатури, особени политически времена; още актуалната тема за „вината“ на германците; като се заговори за религии също наострям уши.
„Какво е правил татко през войната?“
„Най-страшното би било един ден момчетата да се оженят за нееврейки.“
Шлинк горе-долу добре представя избраната тема (и за любовта, и за съвестта в политиката или войната), с „разказване и констатации от свое име“, с добри диалози (спорове), но и с прекалено много въпроси, което никога не съм харесвала с книгите – въпрос след въпрос, няколко изречения наред…
Общо взето за мен – студени разкази. И други скептици и циници съм чела, но не ми действат така обезкуражаващо. Не търся розово замъгляване в книгите и съм съгласна с много от наблюденията на героите. Обаче вече ми е ясно – Бернхард Шлинк не е моят автор. Но си личи, че е юрист. И вероятно умен преподавател. И отказал се от любовта?
„Така любовта му започна все повече да се стеснява.“
Ако искате да се пазите от констатации, че любовта не е дълготрайна, че (почти) всичко е илюзия, измама, мисля, че Шлинк не е подходящият автор. Поне на мен ми действа скапващо – не че се самозалъгвам с надежди за някакво вечно щастие, но вече във втора книга с разкази на Шлинк преобладава идеята „всичко е лъжа“. Не зная дали аз пресилвам това усещане или наистина си е такъв автор, поне с разказите.
„- Говорила ли ти е по време на почивката си за мен? Или може би за някой друг мъж?
- Не, не е. Срамота е да задаваш такива въпроси за мама.“
Добре че в „Бягства от любов“ поне в три разказа видях нов елемент – съвестта на „малкия“ и „големия“ човек по време на войни, диктатури, особени политически времена; още актуалната тема за „вината“ на германците; като се заговори за религии също наострям уши.
„Какво е правил татко през войната?“
„Най-страшното би било един ден момчетата да се оженят за нееврейки.“
Шлинк горе-долу добре представя избраната тема (и за любовта, и за съвестта в политиката или войната), с „разказване и констатации от свое име“, с добри диалози (спорове), но и с прекалено много въпроси, което никога не съм харесвала с книгите – въпрос след въпрос, няколко изречения наред…
Общо взето за мен – студени разкази. И други скептици и циници съм чела, но не ми действат така обезкуражаващо. Не търся розово замъгляване в книгите и съм съгласна с много от наблюденията на героите. Обаче вече ми е ясно – Бернхард Шлинк не е моят автор. Но си личи, че е юрист. И вероятно умен преподавател. И отказал се от любовта?
„Така любовта му започна все повече да се стеснява.“
September 23, 2023
Svidelo mi šest od sedam priča. Dovoljan razlog da Šlink bude jedan od pisaca koje ću i dalje rado čitati.
September 24, 2024
7 vollkommen verschiedene Kurzgeschichten mit Arten der Liebe, an die man nicht denkt und dann doch weiß: das ist Liebe auch.
January 6, 2019
Chạy ngay đi trước khi. Lòng hận thù cuộn từng cơn.
Chạy ngay đi trước khi. Mọi điều dần tồi tệ hơn
Chạy ngay đi trước khi. Mọi điều dần tồi tệ hơn
June 13, 2009
Promises met
Bernhard Schlink created a devoted following with the translation of his first novel THE READER. Opinion was divided among critics and readers as to whether or not this author was playing on simplistic heart-string tuggings or whether he really had somthing new to say and an equal talent to say it. Being part of the camp of readers who were caught up in the story of 'The Reader' and waited eagerly to see just where this writer would/could go, I am happy to say that FLIGHTS OF LOVE is substantial proof that Schlink is a very fine storyteller. This book of seven short stories, while a bit uneven, at least shows that the author can relate tales of interest, of introspection, of intrique, and in general can keep his reader flowing with his thoughts to the somewhat open-ended conclusions. "The Other Man" is deftly told and has much more of a universal appeal than the isolated story would indicate. 'Girl with Lizard' is a mesmerizing tale based on a man's relationship to a painting! One of the unifying elements in Schlink's creative mind is examining how internalized perceptions, when maintained in the prison of an individual's mind, can alter the manner in which we live through relationships, ways that could have been more constructive had communication of these altered perceptions occurred. Sounds simple, but the way Schlink uses this tool to alter his characters reaction to not only each other but to everyone and everything in their lives is touching and rings true. If at times his writing seems detached or cold, I wonder how much of that is due to the fact that we are reading translations. Despite any of the negative points mentioned, here is a collection of short stories that merit attention and make us eager for the next full scale novel to come along.
Grady Harp
Bernhard Schlink created a devoted following with the translation of his first novel THE READER. Opinion was divided among critics and readers as to whether or not this author was playing on simplistic heart-string tuggings or whether he really had somthing new to say and an equal talent to say it. Being part of the camp of readers who were caught up in the story of 'The Reader' and waited eagerly to see just where this writer would/could go, I am happy to say that FLIGHTS OF LOVE is substantial proof that Schlink is a very fine storyteller. This book of seven short stories, while a bit uneven, at least shows that the author can relate tales of interest, of introspection, of intrique, and in general can keep his reader flowing with his thoughts to the somewhat open-ended conclusions. "The Other Man" is deftly told and has much more of a universal appeal than the isolated story would indicate. 'Girl with Lizard' is a mesmerizing tale based on a man's relationship to a painting! One of the unifying elements in Schlink's creative mind is examining how internalized perceptions, when maintained in the prison of an individual's mind, can alter the manner in which we live through relationships, ways that could have been more constructive had communication of these altered perceptions occurred. Sounds simple, but the way Schlink uses this tool to alter his characters reaction to not only each other but to everyone and everything in their lives is touching and rings true. If at times his writing seems detached or cold, I wonder how much of that is due to the fact that we are reading translations. Despite any of the negative points mentioned, here is a collection of short stories that merit attention and make us eager for the next full scale novel to come along.
Grady Harp
February 12, 2024
Bernhard Schlink ist ein überragender Erzähler. Er lässt Figuren nicht nur leben, sondern man lebt als lesende Person mit ihnen. Er wird Fragen auf, beantwortet sie, und lässt den Lesenden aber auch genug Raum, diese Fragen selbst zu beantworten, oder sie überhaupt nicht aufkommen zu lassen, wenn man sie für redundant hält.
Das Buch ist großartig und eine Empfehlung für alle, denn es behandelt, was uns doch alle beschäftigt, die Liebe. Die Liebe zur Religion, zu einem Ort, zur Heimat, zu den Eltern, in einer Ehe, eine frische Liebe und Sehnsüchte, die nur die Liebe stillen oder hervorrufen kann.
Das Buch ist großartig und eine Empfehlung für alle, denn es behandelt, was uns doch alle beschäftigt, die Liebe. Die Liebe zur Religion, zu einem Ort, zur Heimat, zu den Eltern, in einer Ehe, eine frische Liebe und Sehnsüchte, die nur die Liebe stillen oder hervorrufen kann.
October 1, 2023
Am Ende jeder Kurzgeschichte hätte ich mich mit ihr auseinander setzen müssen und hab stattdessen meist einfach weitergelesen
June 25, 2019
A set of longish short stories, they are typically 50-60 pages so almost novellas. They build on common themes for Schlink - coming to terms with Germany's Nazi past, love, affairs and ageing. They are variable in quality, both in terms of the stories and the writing.
Schlink provides some interesting insights and observations, but the writing is not that great. There is too much telling the reader, and not enough space left to build up our own of images and letting us form our own observations. A shame because a couple of the stories could be good if written just a little better. On the other hand, a couple of the stories, are frankly, of a poor standard. None of it is anything like the standard of The Reader, which is a really fine read. My 3 stars for this book, I may think on reflection is generous.
Having read 3 of Schlink's books now and only thought The Reader was of a truly high standard, I'm starting to wonder if he is a one hit wonder. I'm happy to be corrected if anyone thinks any of his others are equally good.
Schlink provides some interesting insights and observations, but the writing is not that great. There is too much telling the reader, and not enough space left to build up our own of images and letting us form our own observations. A shame because a couple of the stories could be good if written just a little better. On the other hand, a couple of the stories, are frankly, of a poor standard. None of it is anything like the standard of The Reader, which is a really fine read. My 3 stars for this book, I may think on reflection is generous.
Having read 3 of Schlink's books now and only thought The Reader was of a truly high standard, I'm starting to wonder if he is a one hit wonder. I'm happy to be corrected if anyone thinks any of his others are equally good.
December 31, 2019
„Flights of Love“ is a collection of seven short stories about love and the idea of love, guilt, habit and so much more. Schlink’s writing is top notch. Not every story is exactly my cup of tea but nevertheless Schlink remains one of my favourite writers ever.
Girl with Lizard: 5 stars
A Little Fling: 3 stars
The Other Man: 4,5 stars
Sugar Peas: 3,5 stars
The Circumcision: 3 stars
The Son: 3 stars
The Woman at the Gas Station: 4,5 stars
Girl with Lizard: 5 stars
A Little Fling: 3 stars
The Other Man: 4,5 stars
Sugar Peas: 3,5 stars
The Circumcision: 3 stars
The Son: 3 stars
The Woman at the Gas Station: 4,5 stars
May 24, 2023
3,5/5
September 23, 2015
Girl with Lizard
This was a meh for me.
I really didn’t get the boy’s obsession with the painting. Why? Why choose a painting over real love? It seemed silly….it was probably symbolism for picking other things over love, but still a meh. 1 star for this.
A Little Fling
I’ll be honest….I was worried at first for this being a love story between the main guy and his friends’ daughter. Ugh, but it got worse and he had a fling with his friend’s wife. Geez. Why do people do this? I wanted to slap all three of the characters; especially the husband and wife. I could see both sides of their argument.
The ending surprised me! I had mixed feelings though…it seemed too easy. But alas, overall this was okay. I was annoyed a lot, but it was okay. 3 stars.
The Other Man
This was super sad! I felt so bad for the husband! I felt like this short story was giving Lisa excuses for being a cheating wench. Especially the ending…man, I hated the ending. I must admit that it was an interesting way to look at story. I gave it a 2.
Sugar Peas
Ugh. Thomas needed a punch in the face and the 3 girls irked me to no end. HOWEVER, it was my second favorite short story. I loved the ending, because karma is a bitch and karma hates you Thomas. This one surely did give me lots of emotion, mainly anger, but lots of emotions. It was certainly entertaining. I didn’t quite understand the title until an hour or so later! There are 3 girls… three peas in a pod. HA. Funny. Clever. In the end, I gave this a 4.
The Circumcision
The title certainly intrigued me. It confused me until the end….and it all made sense. I LOVED THIS STORY! I hated the girl, she was ignorant and I felt bad for the main guy. However, this was a great way to look at Judaism, Germans, and the Holocaust. It’s been 50 years since the Holocaust and a Jewish girl ends up dating a German man who had NOTHING to do with the event. The point this story makes is that prejudice can happen on both ends. Yes, it was horrible about what happened to the Jews, but one should not discriminate or hate a German that had nothing to do (especially if they weren’t born yet) with what happened. Poor guy…I would have railed the girl when she said, “It must be the Nazi in you.” 0_0 HE WASN’T EVEN BORN AND HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE KILLING OF YOUR PEOPLE AND YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS! The ending was perfect. I had to read it 3 times to truly realize what happened. I gave a good HUZZAH once it sank in. This book have me such emotion. I had to explain what was going on, because Boyfriend was in the room with me giving me odd looks. Since his Grandfather’s family is German, he was mad that they guy stayed with her and he was happy on how it ended as well.
I stamped this with 5 stars of course.
The Son
This was a meh and I skimmed until the last page. The last page made everything worth it for me. It was super sad. I stamped this with 3.
Woman at the Gas Station
The ending made me sad even though I knew it was going to happen (hint…the title). I was super hopeful, but not every relationship can be saved. In the end, a 3.
Overall
I enjoyed the writing style of this author. One of his books was chosen in the book club I’m in, so I interested to read it and see if it’s better or worse than this. The short stories all showed in interesting take on love. All the stories had to do with love and how sometimes it can burn you. Hint…the title is “Flights of love”. Some of the short stories where meh and I didn’t like it, while some other I really liked. I would recommend this to those looking for a quick read about love. After averaging out all the numbers, it comes to 2.6, so since I don’t give decimals, I shall round this to 3 stars.
This was a meh for me.
I really didn’t get the boy’s obsession with the painting. Why? Why choose a painting over real love? It seemed silly….it was probably symbolism for picking other things over love, but still a meh. 1 star for this.
A Little Fling
I’ll be honest….I was worried at first for this being a love story between the main guy and his friends’ daughter. Ugh, but it got worse and he had a fling with his friend’s wife. Geez. Why do people do this? I wanted to slap all three of the characters; especially the husband and wife. I could see both sides of their argument.
The ending surprised me! I had mixed feelings though…it seemed too easy. But alas, overall this was okay. I was annoyed a lot, but it was okay. 3 stars.
The Other Man
This was super sad! I felt so bad for the husband! I felt like this short story was giving Lisa excuses for being a cheating wench. Especially the ending…man, I hated the ending. I must admit that it was an interesting way to look at story. I gave it a 2.
Sugar Peas
Ugh. Thomas needed a punch in the face and the 3 girls irked me to no end. HOWEVER, it was my second favorite short story. I loved the ending, because karma is a bitch and karma hates you Thomas. This one surely did give me lots of emotion, mainly anger, but lots of emotions. It was certainly entertaining. I didn’t quite understand the title until an hour or so later! There are 3 girls… three peas in a pod. HA. Funny. Clever. In the end, I gave this a 4.
The Circumcision
The title certainly intrigued me. It confused me until the end….and it all made sense. I LOVED THIS STORY! I hated the girl, she was ignorant and I felt bad for the main guy. However, this was a great way to look at Judaism, Germans, and the Holocaust. It’s been 50 years since the Holocaust and a Jewish girl ends up dating a German man who had NOTHING to do with the event. The point this story makes is that prejudice can happen on both ends. Yes, it was horrible about what happened to the Jews, but one should not discriminate or hate a German that had nothing to do (especially if they weren’t born yet) with what happened. Poor guy…I would have railed the girl when she said, “It must be the Nazi in you.” 0_0 HE WASN’T EVEN BORN AND HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE KILLING OF YOUR PEOPLE AND YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS! The ending was perfect. I had to read it 3 times to truly realize what happened. I gave a good HUZZAH once it sank in. This book have me such emotion. I had to explain what was going on, because Boyfriend was in the room with me giving me odd looks. Since his Grandfather’s family is German, he was mad that they guy stayed with her and he was happy on how it ended as well.
I stamped this with 5 stars of course.
The Son
This was a meh and I skimmed until the last page. The last page made everything worth it for me. It was super sad. I stamped this with 3.
Woman at the Gas Station
The ending made me sad even though I knew it was going to happen (hint…the title). I was super hopeful, but not every relationship can be saved. In the end, a 3.
Overall
I enjoyed the writing style of this author. One of his books was chosen in the book club I’m in, so I interested to read it and see if it’s better or worse than this. The short stories all showed in interesting take on love. All the stories had to do with love and how sometimes it can burn you. Hint…the title is “Flights of love”. Some of the short stories where meh and I didn’t like it, while some other I really liked. I would recommend this to those looking for a quick read about love. After averaging out all the numbers, it comes to 2.6, so since I don’t give decimals, I shall round this to 3 stars.
March 21, 2013
I borrowed this book from my friend's fiance. When my friend delivered it to me he said "this looks like a very boring book". Honestly I had my doubts when I started reading it as the story would go on with details but then the ending was not so dramatic or stunning as you usually get in fiction. But I liked Bernhard's style of writing. It's so beautiful that it always persuaded me to read more our of curiosity even if I knew the ending would not be surprising. My friend's fiance said his endings need to be taken in with a pinch of salt and she is right. But this is the way life is. Even though we find perfect endings in fiction, in real life whatever the drama we deal with, in end we just go on. Life simply goes on. Not everyone has happy endings or dramatic stunning ones. I felt this is what Bernhard was trying to show in his stories. he plants the seed of the story in our head, take us to the climax but then just drop us with a simple ending where you go "so that's it?? nothing happened?? is this how it ends?".
However I really loved how Sugar Peas ended. I feel in real life Thomas would have gotten away with it. I've seen many men who have. But the fact that he didn't in the story made me quite satisfied. Circumcision was probably my favourite out of the 7 stories. It makes you question what love is, written in simple terms but touching the very depth of your heart.
All in all I found the book worth reading even though at a glance it appears to be boring and dull. I guess that's why they tell you not to judge a book by its cover :)
However I really loved how Sugar Peas ended. I feel in real life Thomas would have gotten away with it. I've seen many men who have. But the fact that he didn't in the story made me quite satisfied. Circumcision was probably my favourite out of the 7 stories. It makes you question what love is, written in simple terms but touching the very depth of your heart.
All in all I found the book worth reading even though at a glance it appears to be boring and dull. I guess that's why they tell you not to judge a book by its cover :)
September 8, 2009
Schlink has written seven stories with male German protagonists. To me what unites the stories is a certain moodiness as the men examine the nature of love in their lives. Most deal with regret and loss. Some are compassionate and some shocking. It's difficult for me to rate the book as a single work. Of course I feel more strongly about some stories than others. I decided to go the generous route. I wasn't particularly impressed with the first three stories, though they are interesting, but I very much appreciated the last four. I won't spoil any plot elements, so I'll just mention that I find the final scene of "The Son" to be brilliant and moving, "Sugar Peas" completely unexpected, and "The Circumcision" a very compelling two-sided portrait.
April 1, 2019
SCHLINK, Bernhard: „Liebesfluchten“, Zürich 2001
Sieben Geschichten, die entweder mit Flucht aus der Liebe oder in die Liebe handeln.
„Das Mädchen mit der Eidechse“ – Das Bild zeigt ein Mädchen mit einer Eidechse. Als es der kleine Bub für eine Bildbeschreibung für die Schule verwenden will bringt ihn der Vater davon ab. Das Bild verfolgt ihn sein ganzes Leben. Er nimmt es in seine Studentenwohnung mit. Er forscht nach und muss feststellen, wie sein Vater im Hitlerregime als Richter agiert hat. Wie er Menschen an den Galgen und ins Gefängnis gebracht hat, nur weil sie Juden waren. Ob er sich mit dem Bild dieses jüdischen bekannten Malers bereichert hat? Das Bild und seine Geschichte belasten ihn. Er kann sich von diesem Bann erst befreien, als der das Bild verbrannte.
„Der Seitensprung“ – Schlink verwendet das Wort „Liebesfluchten“ anders als man es als Leser erwartet. In dieser Geschichte gibt es zwar einen Seitensprung, aber seine Entstehung und seine Durchführung ist anders als es normal ein Seitensprung ist. Primär geht es um Menschen, die in Ost- und Westdeutschland leben. Ein junger Jurist fährt öfter von West- nach Ost-Berlin und freundet sich dabei mit einem Schachspieler an. Er wird auch eingeladen und lernt die Verhältnisse kennen. Nach dem Fall der Mauer übersiedelt die Familie in den Westen und wird reich und gut situiert. Der Kontakt bleibt bestehen. Bei einem der Besuche des Juristen wurde es spät und er nächtigte bei den Freunden, weil auch viel getrunken wurde. Das Ehepaar stritt im Nebenzimmer. Plötzlich kam die Frau ins Bett des Juristen und verführte ihn. Es war ihm peinlich. War es doch die Frau des Freundes. Als sie zu ihrem Mann zurückgekehrt war ging der Streit weiter und wurde heftiger. Letztlich kam heraus, dass der Ehemann für die ostdeutsche Geheimpolizei gearbeitet hatte und seine Frau und auch den Freund verraten hatte. Er hatte einen „politischen Seitensprung“ gemacht. Die Frau revanchierte sich mit einem „sexuellen Seitensprung“.
„Der Andere“ – Die Frau ist gestorben. Er hatte sie geliebt und am Schluss – bis zu ihrem Tod – gepflegt. Eines Tages kam ein Brief an sie. Sie, die gestorben war bekam einen Brief von einem ehemaligen Liebhaber. Er wird eifersüchtig. Er forscht nach und bricht ein Geheimfach im Schreibtisch seiner Frau auf, wo er Liebesbriefe findet. Er beantwortet den letzten Brief und beginnt eine Korrespondenz mit „dem Anderen“. Er tut so, als würde die Frau noch leben. Von der Tochter, die der Mutter am nächsten stand konnte er Nichts in Erfahrung bringen. Sie war und ist ihrem Vater gegenüber abweisend. So fährt er in die Stadt des „Anderen“. Lauert ihm auf. Trifft ihn anonym im Café. Spielt mit ihm Schach. Kommt ihm näher. Parallel schreibt er weiter Briefe und vereinbart ein Treffen. Der „Andere“ will ein Fest zu Ehren seiner Freundin ausrichten. Er hat zu wenig Geld und pumpt den Mann der Freundin – den er aber nicht als solchen erkannt hat – an. Vor dem Fest reist er aber ab. Der „Andere“ entpuppte sich als Hochstapler. Wieder zu Hause ist er unzufrieden und fährt dann doch zum Fest. Ein Fest, das mit seinem Geld ausgerichtet wurde. Der „Andere“ ist ein gewandter Hochstapler. Er hält eine wunderbare Rede auf seine verstorbene Frau. So kann er letztlich zufrieden am Morgen mit dem ersten Zug heimfahren. Er hatte seinen Frieden gefunden.
„Zuckererbsen“ – Eine berührende Geschichte. Ein erfolgreicher Architekt führt drei Parallelleben. Einerseits mit seiner Frau, mit der er die klassische Familie mit Kindern in Berlin hat. Sie war ursprünglich seine Mitarbeiterin und er beteiligte sie an seinem Architekturbüro und letztlich heirateten sie. Als ihm das reine Ingenieurwesen, wo er Dachausbauten und Brücken baute, zu langweilig wurde wendete er sich seinem Hobby, dem Malen zu. Auch da wurde er erfolgreich und eine erste Ausstellung fand in Hamburg statt. Letztlich entsteht mit der Galeristin ein Verhältnis und sie bekommt ein Kind von ihm. Mit ihr führt er eine Parallelehe. Dem noch nicht genug beginnt er mit einer Zahnmedizinstudentin ein Verhältnis und lebt zeitweise auch mit der zusammen. Der Stress wird unerträglich groß und er bricht aus. Kauft sich eine Mönchkutte, schmeißt sein nobles Gewand weg und lebt auf Reisen in Klöstern und einfachen Unterkünften. Er fand wieder zu sich selbst. Vor einer Zugfahrt in Italien verfing sich seine Kutte in der Tür des abfahrenden Zuges. Er wurde mitgerissen und blieb schwer verletzt am Bahngleis liegen. Nach langem Krankenhausaufenthalt und Operationen kommt er in ein Rehabilitationsheim nach Deutschland zurück. Er weiß nicht wer dies organisiert hatte. Letztlich wird er nach Monaten entlassen und man bringt ihn in seine Wohnung. Die inzwischen fertige Zahnärztin chauffiert ihn. Seine Wohnung ist behindertengerecht umgebaut – er ist ja zum Rollstuhlfahrer geworden. In der Wohnung erwarten ihn die anderen beiden Frauen: die Ehefrau und die Galeristin. Sie haben ihn inzwischen enteignet und haben eine eigene Firma gegründet, in der sie seine Arbeiten vermarkten. Die drei Frauen revanchieren sich. Er ist praktisch ihr Gefangener und Sklave.
„Die Beschneidung“ – In dieser Erzählung werden die Probleme bei Partnerschaften, die aus unterschiedlichen Kulturen und Religionen zusammengesetzt sind aufgezeigt. Ein deutscher Student verliebt sich in New York in eine junge jüdische Frau. Er wird in die Familie der Freundin eingeführt und bekommt sein Deutschtum und die im Naziregime durchgeführten Judenverfolgungen vorgehalten. Letztlich fährt er mit seiner Freundin nach Hause und zeigt ihr seine Heimat Deutschland. Sie aber sieht in vielem die Handlungsweise der Nazis. Dass Deutschland nach dem Krieg alles wieder aufgebaut hat sieht die junge Frau negativ: „Warum muss alles schon morgen fertig werden und aussehen, als hätte die Stadt keine Geschichte? Als hätte sie keine Wunden und Narben? Warum muss auch noch gleich der Holocaust unter einem Denkmal entsorgt werden?“ (Seite 229)
Die Liebe kittet. Der junge Mann lässt sich sogar beschneiden, um so seiner Freundin näher zu sein. Aber alles hilft nicht. Die Unterschiede sind zu groß und er verlässt sie trotz Liebe.
Schlink beschäftigt sich hier mit dem heiklen Thema des Verhältnisses der Juden zu den Deutschen. Wie jüdische Amerikaner einen jungen Deutschen, der schon in der zweiten Generation nach dem Krieg lebt Schuldzuweisungen für das Hitlerregime geben. So meint die Freundin etwa „Was du mit dem Holocaust zu tun hast? Du bist Deutscher, das hast du mit dem Holocaust zu tun.“ (Seite 241)
„Der Sohn“ – Zwei internationale Beobachter aus Kanada und Deutschland besuchen ein, im Bürgerkrieg befindliches Land. Sie fahren mit Militärbegleitung in eine entlegene Provinz und werden von Rebellen angegriffen. Die Hauptfigur der Geschichte ist der Deutsche. Er denkt in diesen brenzlichen Minuten an seinen Sohn, um den er sich zu wenig gekümmert hat. Bedingt durch Beruf und Scheidung. Vor der Abreise in die Provinz telefoniert er noch aus der Hauptstadt mit dem Sohn, der Arzt in einem Krankenhaus ist. Er wird aus seiner Arbeit gerissen und ans Telefon geholt. Der Vater sagt ihm nur, dass er ihn liebt. Eine wichtige Aussage, weil er einen Tag später beim Angriff der Rebellen stirbt.
„Die Frau an der Tankstelle“ – Der Protagonist träumt von einer Frau an einer Tankstelle, bei der er bleibt und sie verführt. Im realen Leben führt er schon eine lange Ehe. Er war in seine Frau sehr verliebt. Die Liebe verlor aber im Laufe der Jahre an Intensität. Das Paar versucht einen neuen Anfang. Die Kinder sind flügge und sie buchen eine längere Amerikareise. Bei einer Tankstelle kommt sein Traum zur Wirklichkeit. Hier beschließt er nicht mehr weiterzufahren und steigt aus; lässt seine Frau alleine weiterfahren. In einem billigen Motel quartiert er sich ein und wartet ein Monat ob die Frau vielleicht doch zurückkehrt.
Sieben Geschichten, die entweder mit Flucht aus der Liebe oder in die Liebe handeln.
„Das Mädchen mit der Eidechse“ – Das Bild zeigt ein Mädchen mit einer Eidechse. Als es der kleine Bub für eine Bildbeschreibung für die Schule verwenden will bringt ihn der Vater davon ab. Das Bild verfolgt ihn sein ganzes Leben. Er nimmt es in seine Studentenwohnung mit. Er forscht nach und muss feststellen, wie sein Vater im Hitlerregime als Richter agiert hat. Wie er Menschen an den Galgen und ins Gefängnis gebracht hat, nur weil sie Juden waren. Ob er sich mit dem Bild dieses jüdischen bekannten Malers bereichert hat? Das Bild und seine Geschichte belasten ihn. Er kann sich von diesem Bann erst befreien, als der das Bild verbrannte.
„Der Seitensprung“ – Schlink verwendet das Wort „Liebesfluchten“ anders als man es als Leser erwartet. In dieser Geschichte gibt es zwar einen Seitensprung, aber seine Entstehung und seine Durchführung ist anders als es normal ein Seitensprung ist. Primär geht es um Menschen, die in Ost- und Westdeutschland leben. Ein junger Jurist fährt öfter von West- nach Ost-Berlin und freundet sich dabei mit einem Schachspieler an. Er wird auch eingeladen und lernt die Verhältnisse kennen. Nach dem Fall der Mauer übersiedelt die Familie in den Westen und wird reich und gut situiert. Der Kontakt bleibt bestehen. Bei einem der Besuche des Juristen wurde es spät und er nächtigte bei den Freunden, weil auch viel getrunken wurde. Das Ehepaar stritt im Nebenzimmer. Plötzlich kam die Frau ins Bett des Juristen und verführte ihn. Es war ihm peinlich. War es doch die Frau des Freundes. Als sie zu ihrem Mann zurückgekehrt war ging der Streit weiter und wurde heftiger. Letztlich kam heraus, dass der Ehemann für die ostdeutsche Geheimpolizei gearbeitet hatte und seine Frau und auch den Freund verraten hatte. Er hatte einen „politischen Seitensprung“ gemacht. Die Frau revanchierte sich mit einem „sexuellen Seitensprung“.
„Der Andere“ – Die Frau ist gestorben. Er hatte sie geliebt und am Schluss – bis zu ihrem Tod – gepflegt. Eines Tages kam ein Brief an sie. Sie, die gestorben war bekam einen Brief von einem ehemaligen Liebhaber. Er wird eifersüchtig. Er forscht nach und bricht ein Geheimfach im Schreibtisch seiner Frau auf, wo er Liebesbriefe findet. Er beantwortet den letzten Brief und beginnt eine Korrespondenz mit „dem Anderen“. Er tut so, als würde die Frau noch leben. Von der Tochter, die der Mutter am nächsten stand konnte er Nichts in Erfahrung bringen. Sie war und ist ihrem Vater gegenüber abweisend. So fährt er in die Stadt des „Anderen“. Lauert ihm auf. Trifft ihn anonym im Café. Spielt mit ihm Schach. Kommt ihm näher. Parallel schreibt er weiter Briefe und vereinbart ein Treffen. Der „Andere“ will ein Fest zu Ehren seiner Freundin ausrichten. Er hat zu wenig Geld und pumpt den Mann der Freundin – den er aber nicht als solchen erkannt hat – an. Vor dem Fest reist er aber ab. Der „Andere“ entpuppte sich als Hochstapler. Wieder zu Hause ist er unzufrieden und fährt dann doch zum Fest. Ein Fest, das mit seinem Geld ausgerichtet wurde. Der „Andere“ ist ein gewandter Hochstapler. Er hält eine wunderbare Rede auf seine verstorbene Frau. So kann er letztlich zufrieden am Morgen mit dem ersten Zug heimfahren. Er hatte seinen Frieden gefunden.
„Zuckererbsen“ – Eine berührende Geschichte. Ein erfolgreicher Architekt führt drei Parallelleben. Einerseits mit seiner Frau, mit der er die klassische Familie mit Kindern in Berlin hat. Sie war ursprünglich seine Mitarbeiterin und er beteiligte sie an seinem Architekturbüro und letztlich heirateten sie. Als ihm das reine Ingenieurwesen, wo er Dachausbauten und Brücken baute, zu langweilig wurde wendete er sich seinem Hobby, dem Malen zu. Auch da wurde er erfolgreich und eine erste Ausstellung fand in Hamburg statt. Letztlich entsteht mit der Galeristin ein Verhältnis und sie bekommt ein Kind von ihm. Mit ihr führt er eine Parallelehe. Dem noch nicht genug beginnt er mit einer Zahnmedizinstudentin ein Verhältnis und lebt zeitweise auch mit der zusammen. Der Stress wird unerträglich groß und er bricht aus. Kauft sich eine Mönchkutte, schmeißt sein nobles Gewand weg und lebt auf Reisen in Klöstern und einfachen Unterkünften. Er fand wieder zu sich selbst. Vor einer Zugfahrt in Italien verfing sich seine Kutte in der Tür des abfahrenden Zuges. Er wurde mitgerissen und blieb schwer verletzt am Bahngleis liegen. Nach langem Krankenhausaufenthalt und Operationen kommt er in ein Rehabilitationsheim nach Deutschland zurück. Er weiß nicht wer dies organisiert hatte. Letztlich wird er nach Monaten entlassen und man bringt ihn in seine Wohnung. Die inzwischen fertige Zahnärztin chauffiert ihn. Seine Wohnung ist behindertengerecht umgebaut – er ist ja zum Rollstuhlfahrer geworden. In der Wohnung erwarten ihn die anderen beiden Frauen: die Ehefrau und die Galeristin. Sie haben ihn inzwischen enteignet und haben eine eigene Firma gegründet, in der sie seine Arbeiten vermarkten. Die drei Frauen revanchieren sich. Er ist praktisch ihr Gefangener und Sklave.
„Die Beschneidung“ – In dieser Erzählung werden die Probleme bei Partnerschaften, die aus unterschiedlichen Kulturen und Religionen zusammengesetzt sind aufgezeigt. Ein deutscher Student verliebt sich in New York in eine junge jüdische Frau. Er wird in die Familie der Freundin eingeführt und bekommt sein Deutschtum und die im Naziregime durchgeführten Judenverfolgungen vorgehalten. Letztlich fährt er mit seiner Freundin nach Hause und zeigt ihr seine Heimat Deutschland. Sie aber sieht in vielem die Handlungsweise der Nazis. Dass Deutschland nach dem Krieg alles wieder aufgebaut hat sieht die junge Frau negativ: „Warum muss alles schon morgen fertig werden und aussehen, als hätte die Stadt keine Geschichte? Als hätte sie keine Wunden und Narben? Warum muss auch noch gleich der Holocaust unter einem Denkmal entsorgt werden?“ (Seite 229)
Die Liebe kittet. Der junge Mann lässt sich sogar beschneiden, um so seiner Freundin näher zu sein. Aber alles hilft nicht. Die Unterschiede sind zu groß und er verlässt sie trotz Liebe.
Schlink beschäftigt sich hier mit dem heiklen Thema des Verhältnisses der Juden zu den Deutschen. Wie jüdische Amerikaner einen jungen Deutschen, der schon in der zweiten Generation nach dem Krieg lebt Schuldzuweisungen für das Hitlerregime geben. So meint die Freundin etwa „Was du mit dem Holocaust zu tun hast? Du bist Deutscher, das hast du mit dem Holocaust zu tun.“ (Seite 241)
„Der Sohn“ – Zwei internationale Beobachter aus Kanada und Deutschland besuchen ein, im Bürgerkrieg befindliches Land. Sie fahren mit Militärbegleitung in eine entlegene Provinz und werden von Rebellen angegriffen. Die Hauptfigur der Geschichte ist der Deutsche. Er denkt in diesen brenzlichen Minuten an seinen Sohn, um den er sich zu wenig gekümmert hat. Bedingt durch Beruf und Scheidung. Vor der Abreise in die Provinz telefoniert er noch aus der Hauptstadt mit dem Sohn, der Arzt in einem Krankenhaus ist. Er wird aus seiner Arbeit gerissen und ans Telefon geholt. Der Vater sagt ihm nur, dass er ihn liebt. Eine wichtige Aussage, weil er einen Tag später beim Angriff der Rebellen stirbt.
„Die Frau an der Tankstelle“ – Der Protagonist träumt von einer Frau an einer Tankstelle, bei der er bleibt und sie verführt. Im realen Leben führt er schon eine lange Ehe. Er war in seine Frau sehr verliebt. Die Liebe verlor aber im Laufe der Jahre an Intensität. Das Paar versucht einen neuen Anfang. Die Kinder sind flügge und sie buchen eine längere Amerikareise. Bei einer Tankstelle kommt sein Traum zur Wirklichkeit. Hier beschließt er nicht mehr weiterzufahren und steigt aus; lässt seine Frau alleine weiterfahren. In einem billigen Motel quartiert er sich ein und wartet ein Monat ob die Frau vielleicht doch zurückkehrt.
September 11, 2019
Flights of Love published in 2002 is quite different from Summer Lies, a more recent collection of Schlink’s. I have decided that I prefer this collection as the stories are more varied and the tone too. Perhaps because of the theme? I’m not sure but I really enjoyed the different storylines.
In Girl With a Lizard a family’s life is changed because of a painting. Or I should say the obsessive behaviour of members of the family regarding the painting.
A Little Fling is about an East-West friendship and I found the story really illuminating about life either side of the Berlin wall. Somewhere along the way the friendship of a young couple and a single man becomes an affair.
The Other Man is one of my favourite stories. After his wife dies, a widower discovers that his wife had a lover. Lonely and bored, having trouble adjusting to his new life, the widower decides to stalk the lover.
Sugar Peas is my least favourite story and I actually put the book aside after this overly long story about a man juggling three relationships (including children).
The Circumcision is about a German man and a Jewish woman who fall in love. The extreme example of incompatibility of course but Schlink shows how we are very blinkered in the early stages of any relationship.
In The Son a German man is acting as an observer in some sort of military procession in (I’m guessing a South American country). The tension builds as the reader gradually realises that the main character is in a perilous position. Whilst all this is happening his thoughts return to his son.
And finally my favourite story, The Woman at the Gas Station about a man haunted by a dream:
“He no longer knew if he had actually dreamt his dream at one time or had only been fantasising about it from the start. He also didn’t know what image, what story, or what film had triggered it. It must have been when he was fifteen or sixteen - the dream had stayed with him that long now. Back then, he would fantasise about it if a class in school or a day on vacation with his parents was too boring, later it might happen in a business meeting or on a train - when he was tired and had put his reports away, he would lay his head back and close his eyes.”
Recommended for those who appreciate an author with a quiet, steady voice.
In Girl With a Lizard a family’s life is changed because of a painting. Or I should say the obsessive behaviour of members of the family regarding the painting.
A Little Fling is about an East-West friendship and I found the story really illuminating about life either side of the Berlin wall. Somewhere along the way the friendship of a young couple and a single man becomes an affair.
The Other Man is one of my favourite stories. After his wife dies, a widower discovers that his wife had a lover. Lonely and bored, having trouble adjusting to his new life, the widower decides to stalk the lover.
Sugar Peas is my least favourite story and I actually put the book aside after this overly long story about a man juggling three relationships (including children).
The Circumcision is about a German man and a Jewish woman who fall in love. The extreme example of incompatibility of course but Schlink shows how we are very blinkered in the early stages of any relationship.
In The Son a German man is acting as an observer in some sort of military procession in (I’m guessing a South American country). The tension builds as the reader gradually realises that the main character is in a perilous position. Whilst all this is happening his thoughts return to his son.
And finally my favourite story, The Woman at the Gas Station about a man haunted by a dream:
“He no longer knew if he had actually dreamt his dream at one time or had only been fantasising about it from the start. He also didn’t know what image, what story, or what film had triggered it. It must have been when he was fifteen or sixteen - the dream had stayed with him that long now. Back then, he would fantasise about it if a class in school or a day on vacation with his parents was too boring, later it might happen in a business meeting or on a train - when he was tired and had put his reports away, he would lay his head back and close his eyes.”
Recommended for those who appreciate an author with a quiet, steady voice.
January 8, 2022
Không phải là tập truyện ngắn dễ hiểu. Vài truyện kết thúc lửng lơ và lỡ dở. Nhưng phần lớn trong số đó, các nhân vật đã thành công trong việc rũ bỏ quá khứ của mình.
Giống như chàng trai từ bỏ thứ đã kìm kẹp cuộc sống cả gia đình mình. Giống như người đàn ông lật lại mối tình của người vợ đã mất để cắt đứt tất cả những trách cứ. Giống như những người phụ nữ sử dụng người đàn ông của họ như công cụ như cái cách anh từng dùng họ để trốn tránh thực tại. Giống như người đàn ông Đức đã nhận ra sự khác biệt không thể dung hoà với người tình Do Thái. Giống như người sứ giả nhớ tới gia đình mình khi nhận ra thế giới của anh thiếu vắng họ. Giống như người đàn ông ở tuổi xế chiều sẵn sàng xây dựng lại cuộc đời để đáp ứng cảm giác thiếu vắng mình luôn có.
Duy có truyện "Ngoại tình", mình thấy khó hiểu, vì thứ tình cảm lợi dụng giữa họ.
Nếu nói hay nhất, thì "Những hạt đậu đường" hấp dẫn nhất, nhưng "Cắt da quy đầu" lại thể hiện sự xung đột ngầm nhưng mạng mẽ nhất.
Giống như chàng trai từ bỏ thứ đã kìm kẹp cuộc sống cả gia đình mình. Giống như người đàn ông lật lại mối tình của người vợ đã mất để cắt đứt tất cả những trách cứ. Giống như những người phụ nữ sử dụng người đàn ông của họ như công cụ như cái cách anh từng dùng họ để trốn tránh thực tại. Giống như người đàn ông Đức đã nhận ra sự khác biệt không thể dung hoà với người tình Do Thái. Giống như người sứ giả nhớ tới gia đình mình khi nhận ra thế giới của anh thiếu vắng họ. Giống như người đàn ông ở tuổi xế chiều sẵn sàng xây dựng lại cuộc đời để đáp ứng cảm giác thiếu vắng mình luôn có.
Duy có truyện "Ngoại tình", mình thấy khó hiểu, vì thứ tình cảm lợi dụng giữa họ.
Nếu nói hay nhất, thì "Những hạt đậu đường" hấp dẫn nhất, nhưng "Cắt da quy đầu" lại thể hiện sự xung đột ngầm nhưng mạng mẽ nhất.
September 25, 2019
Desde que leí "El lector" (que me dejó maravillada) me dieron muchas ganas de leer algo más del autor y tuve la suerte de que me prestaran este libro. Cuentos que tratan al amor desde diferentes perspectivas: me pareció muy interesante porque cuando generalmente pienso en algo "romántico" no lo pienso en este sentido. Se nota que el autor tiene una fuerte tendencia a tocar ciertos temas, que también aparecen en "El lector", como la culpa, el perdón, el pasado de la generación alemana que vino después de la Segunda Guerra. En general muy bueno, definitivamente me gusta su forma de escribir. Mi cuento favorito, sin embargo, fue "La circuncisión" por todo el debate que plantea sobre las distintas visiones sobre alemanes y judíos de las últimas generaciones.
Y con este libro completo el reading challenge. Wow.
Y con este libro completo el reading challenge. Wow.
June 15, 2024
Die verschiedenen Kurzgeschichten waren eher hit or miss. Die Protagonisten der Geschichten waren sehr einheitlich, meist Männer mittleren Alters in einer Krise. Viele Settings waren auch sehr weird und unkonstant. Allgemein wahrscheinlich einfach nicht meine Art von Buch, auch wenn die Sprache wunderschön war
July 24, 2022
was there not a deeper wisdom hidden in red wine revealed to those who are ready?
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