Mercury > Recent Status Updates

Finished part 2. Youth. Beginning to enjoy it more now that I am 50% through it. Simple calming writing and storyline.

Finished 1st of the trilogy - Youth. It is readable. Nothing that would leave an impression in me after I'm done. As yet.

It is in present tense. Which is a bit unsettling. Staccato dialogues. Characters come and go - without much consequence to the story or the main character. A third into the book, I’m still waiting to settle into this world - but the book doesn’t me to. The present tense, characters and events appearing and disappearing suddenly - don’t allow me to. Still intrigued where this is going.

I’m loving this so much. The writing is rich, colorful and alive.

Liking it so far. The writing takes me to that time and place.

Simple prose but compelling story telling. It feels like a friend is telling me an interesting story and I don’t want her to stop. 5 starts so far.

Loving it so far! :-)

I’m liking the book a lot. My kind of writing style. Funny writing and a bit absurd or bizarre situations - a translator at an embassy who doesn’t know the language and uses Google Translate!

Finished the first of the trilogy. Loved the writing style. A bit confused about the point of the story.

So I would describe the story/ style as absurdist. Events and conversations that seem absurd - both to you and the main character - Ryder.
That’s what I am loving about this book so far. Ryder isn’t sure exactly what is the purpose of events he is being sucked into and feels frustrated. And I, as a reader am feeling frustrated not being able to make sense of the story.

Absolutely loving the book. The language is fluid and evocative - reminding me of the writing of one of all time fave books - Love in the Time of Cholera.
Perhaps there’s something to be said about Spanish books translated into English..?

Loving it.

The story is getting boring. The writing style is ok. Lea it it half-way. May come back later.

Finished the third novella - Fear. By far the best of the 3 I’ve read so far. I remember feeling this similar fear (eating me up inside) twice in my life. Rendered raw and intimate by Zweig, the fear (guilt) in this novella is thick. I would rate this novella 5 stars

Just finished 2 novellas. A Burning Secret and Chess Story. The writing is tight and keeps the reader gripped. Characters are fleshed out well. Am enjoying it so far. However, I must say I am missing out on the explosive ending that the stories build themselves up to.

The book is beautifully written. It’s as if it is describing my married life! Looks closely at concepts of love, marriage and old age.
If ever there is a book that has so many beautifully captured truths of life that deserves to bee annotated for later reference - the this is it!

Page 263 - It was the rust of routine, which he has despised and feared much, which had protected him an awareness of his age.

The prose as it describes a marriage worn down by time - seems to describe mine! Beautifully written and focusing on the mundane of everyday life - that only a marriage would force one to. Loving it so far!

I think I will give up on the book. The writing doesn’t flow easily. The ideas aren’t really magical or ones that make you think. Characters having similar names is confusing. A bit torturous - reading it.

Started today after finishing Kafka on the shore.

78

Interesting!

Hackneyed! Abandoned half way.

Abandoned Half Way. Started off fine. Then became loose and unfocused. The main character was also irritating.

Really funny. But the plot is getting tiring. Going nowhere. Too many characters. Letting it go. But really, really funny!

Finished book 1 of trilogy - Conspiracy in Kiev. What started really well floundered in the middle and finally ended with a whimper. Disappointed with the story, but not with the writer. Yet. Moving on to book 2. Midnight in Madrid.

Moving along nicely. Tight writing style. Plot keeps progressing. Am liking this.