Dolors’s review of Train Dreams > Likes and Comments
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Lovely review, Dolors, of what sounds like a beautiful tribute to nature and a man’s quest for peace.
Laysee wrote: "Lovely review, Dolors, of what sounds like a beautiful tribute to nature and a man’s quest for peace."
That’s exactly what this novella is, Laysee; I couldn’t have expressed it better myself. Thank you for such a pertinent comment, my friend.
Your insights beautifully reflect the serenity of the protagonist, Dolors - his fate and attitude reminded me a lot of Andreas Egger's in Robert Seethaler's A Whole Life - set in a quite different part of the world, it illustrates the gift of both writers to capture the universality of the human condition.
Ilse wrote: "Your insights beautifully reflect the serenity of the protagonist, Dolors - his fate and attitude reminded me a lot of Andreas Egger's in Robert Seethaler's A Whole Life - set in a ..."
What a great call, Ilse. I read Seethaler’s novella in 2022, and I can see the many parallels between both novels. I actually thought of John Williams’ style, maybe Butcher’s Crossing, but Johnson’s book feels even closer in themes, pace, and tone. Always a pleasure to talk books with you, my friend; you enrich all my readings :)
Thanks for enabling me to revisit this unusual book via your own thoughts on it, Dolors. Like you, I doubt the ability of a film version to capture its strange atmosphere.
I should revisit the book (it's been a few years). The movie was... slow, but well done.
If anyone can tempt me to attempt another Denis Johnson novel, it's you, with this poetic ode to his own poetic ode. Lovely review.
(The novel I read many years ago, Tree of Smoke, was not for me, at least at that time -- despite its evocative and promising title.)
i saw the movie yesterday. it is breathtaking.
haven't seen it yet, but now am intrigued. Happy new year Dolors.
I have this book on hold and hope my turn for it comes up very soon. Your eloquent review makes me even more eager to sit with it in my own bit of solitude. Thanks for sharing it with us, Dolors :)
Fionnuala wrote: "Thanks for enabling me to revisit this unusual book via your own thoughts on it, Dolors. Like you, I doubt the ability of a film version to capture its strange atmosphere."
Thank you Fionnuala! Wishing you all the very best for this new year; may it bring you inspiration, joy, and many more fascinating reads!
Ken wrote: "I should revisit the book (it's been a few years). The movie was... slow, but well done."
Good to know! The book is also slow-paced, so that doesn’t sound strange. I might still give it a chance.
Caterina wrote: "If anyone can tempt me to attempt another Denis Johnson novel, it's you, with this poetic ode to his own poetic ode. Lovely review.
(The novel I read many years ago, Tree of Smoke, was not for me,..."
Thank you for such kind words, Caterina! This is the only novel I have read by Johnson, so I can't really compare, but this novel felt intimate and lyrical to me, which is probably why it resonated so strongly. If you ever decide to give him another try, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Wishing you a wonderful start to the new year filled with great books and inspiring discoveries!
Carol wrote: "i saw the movie yesterday. it is breathtaking."
Thanks Carol, good to know!
Sookie wrote: "haven't seen it yet, but now am intrigued. Happy new year Dolors."
Same to you Sookie, thank you for your friendship and kindness :)
Candi wrote: "I have this book on hold and hope my turn for it comes up very soon. Your eloquent review makes me even more eager to sit with it in my own bit of solitude. Thanks for sharing it with us, Dolors :)"
I’m so glad the review resonated with you, Candi! I hope your turn comes soon...I hope you’ll enjoy that quiet time with it. Wishing you a wonderful start to the new year!
Dolors wrote: "....Wishing you a wonderful start to the new year filled with great books and inspiring discoveries!"
Thank you, Dolors, and I wish the same for you! And thanks to you, I've added this to my To Read list.
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Laysee
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Dec 29, 2025 04:03AM
Lovely review, Dolors, of what sounds like a beautiful tribute to nature and a man’s quest for peace.
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Laysee wrote: "Lovely review, Dolors, of what sounds like a beautiful tribute to nature and a man’s quest for peace."That’s exactly what this novella is, Laysee; I couldn’t have expressed it better myself. Thank you for such a pertinent comment, my friend.
Your insights beautifully reflect the serenity of the protagonist, Dolors - his fate and attitude reminded me a lot of Andreas Egger's in Robert Seethaler's A Whole Life - set in a quite different part of the world, it illustrates the gift of both writers to capture the universality of the human condition.
Ilse wrote: "Your insights beautifully reflect the serenity of the protagonist, Dolors - his fate and attitude reminded me a lot of Andreas Egger's in Robert Seethaler's A Whole Life - set in a ..."What a great call, Ilse. I read Seethaler’s novella in 2022, and I can see the many parallels between both novels. I actually thought of John Williams’ style, maybe Butcher’s Crossing, but Johnson’s book feels even closer in themes, pace, and tone. Always a pleasure to talk books with you, my friend; you enrich all my readings :)
Thanks for enabling me to revisit this unusual book via your own thoughts on it, Dolors. Like you, I doubt the ability of a film version to capture its strange atmosphere.
I should revisit the book (it's been a few years). The movie was... slow, but well done.
If anyone can tempt me to attempt another Denis Johnson novel, it's you, with this poetic ode to his own poetic ode. Lovely review.(The novel I read many years ago, Tree of Smoke, was not for me, at least at that time -- despite its evocative and promising title.)
i saw the movie yesterday. it is breathtaking.
haven't seen it yet, but now am intrigued. Happy new year Dolors.
I have this book on hold and hope my turn for it comes up very soon. Your eloquent review makes me even more eager to sit with it in my own bit of solitude. Thanks for sharing it with us, Dolors :)
Fionnuala wrote: "Thanks for enabling me to revisit this unusual book via your own thoughts on it, Dolors. Like you, I doubt the ability of a film version to capture its strange atmosphere."Thank you Fionnuala! Wishing you all the very best for this new year; may it bring you inspiration, joy, and many more fascinating reads!
Ken wrote: "I should revisit the book (it's been a few years). The movie was... slow, but well done."Good to know! The book is also slow-paced, so that doesn’t sound strange. I might still give it a chance.
Caterina wrote: "If anyone can tempt me to attempt another Denis Johnson novel, it's you, with this poetic ode to his own poetic ode. Lovely review.(The novel I read many years ago, Tree of Smoke, was not for me,..."
Thank you for such kind words, Caterina! This is the only novel I have read by Johnson, so I can't really compare, but this novel felt intimate and lyrical to me, which is probably why it resonated so strongly. If you ever decide to give him another try, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Wishing you a wonderful start to the new year filled with great books and inspiring discoveries!
Carol wrote: "i saw the movie yesterday. it is breathtaking."Thanks Carol, good to know!
Sookie wrote: "haven't seen it yet, but now am intrigued. Happy new year Dolors."Same to you Sookie, thank you for your friendship and kindness :)
Candi wrote: "I have this book on hold and hope my turn for it comes up very soon. Your eloquent review makes me even more eager to sit with it in my own bit of solitude. Thanks for sharing it with us, Dolors :)"I’m so glad the review resonated with you, Candi! I hope your turn comes soon...I hope you’ll enjoy that quiet time with it. Wishing you a wonderful start to the new year!
Dolors wrote: "....Wishing you a wonderful start to the new year filled with great books and inspiring discoveries!"Thank you, Dolors, and I wish the same for you! And thanks to you, I've added this to my To Read list.
