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Swan song of the pre-modern world. Also the most medieval thing I’ve read since Francois Villon. Where are you taking me, Ferdinand? Can’t believe the trip is ending.

Sharp, vulgar, deep, honest, funny, and all with such transparency and fluidity, holding nothing back. Once you listen to the narrator, like with a severed head, the skull of necromancy, his voice (and his truths) cannot be silenced anymore. Céline “eats and leaves no crumbs”.

« L’écrivain ne doit pas connaître son matériau à fond, sinon ce matériau l’écrasera. L’écrivain est l’espion du monde des lecteurs, (…) En connaissant trop bien et de trop près l’« autre » monde, l’écrivain partage ses jugements de valeur (…) Le lecteur perdra l’écrivain (et inversement). L’écrivain doit en quelque sorte être un étranger dans le monde qu’il décrit. »

(!)

Like a very good charcoal drawing in black and white.

Reading Levinas is like trying to fly a space rocket without instructions. The dashboard blows your mind, but once you feel the engines hum…

No book will ever be written that equals the Metamorphoses.

Astonishing novel that slushes with magic like a ripe pear when shaken. I often forget that they exist, writers who push their ego aside and “get the job done”, without vanity. Hobæk Haff was certainly one of those. Excited about the +-300 pages ahead of me.

29/30. Last book of the year, found on a give-away shelf. Excited!

Written in 1960, this novel is executed with very confident brush strokes: never a hesitation. Total absence of virtuosity, word play and metaphor. Refreshing & sharp, yet modest. Zero narcissism.

Magnificent.

Poor Pip…! What a strangle-hold destiny has woven around his neck…

Oh, Pip… Can’t you go back to who you were and delete Estella from your life?

Intense

Since page 1: still holding my breath

Twee hoofdstukken ver en ik moest al een aantal keer een kokhalsreflex onderdrukken. Wat een literair gemasturbeer!

This book gives a new meaning to the word unreal.

Hated this one passionately at University, but I believe I'm ripe for it now.

And the Oscar for best supporting character goes to... Razoemichin! Such a refreshing and whole-hearted spirit!

I’m putting this one aside for later... it’s too much for now.

Graceful, tricky and vibrant with light. Weightless prose, yet dense. Full 3D cast of characters. Reminiscent of Stendhal, Austen and Tolstoj, but lighter and less pretentious.