I'm actually writing this review before I rate this book, because I still haven't quite decided how I feel about it. I think my feelings have been influenced by the fact that I read this book right after completing Edith Wharton's The House of Mirth which is, similarly to this story, about unfulfilled potential and death. The reason I'm telling you this is because I plan on reviewing this book as much as possible on its own merits, but I don't know if I'll be able to keep the two entirely separate.
Anyway. I read this book based on the inclusion of Amok in Peter Boxall's 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. Since that was the only story of Zweig's included, I assume that would be far and away my favorite of the four stories included. I'm also personally much more interested in novels or even novellas than a short story. Amok was long enough that I thought that it would have the room to develop the character, plot and style as opposed to a lot of short stories I've read. I enjoyed Amok, but I actually felt it was the least developed of the four stories. I found the pivotal point of the plot - the idea that the main character, the doctor, would spontaneously ask the woman for sex just based on her vaguely imperious demeanor ridiculous. The rest of the story was impressive, fascinating and artfully wrought, but the whole plot seemed to be stretched a little thin because of the shaky base provided by that one point. This story did, however, manage the most important part of a short story for me; it left me thinking about it.
Of all the stories in this book, I enjoyed Leporella the most. I found the characters well developed and believable but unique enough to be interesting and realistic. The plot was well grounded and the prose smooth.
The Star Above the Forest was beautifully written, with absolutely gorgeous prose and analogies. Although the plot was silly and unrealistic, it actually added to the story instead of detracting because of the ethereal, mystical sense of the whole story.
I was least impressed by Incident on Lake Geneva. I found it too short, too one dimensional and too abstract. I was unimpressed and unengaged. I honestly don't have much more to say about it than that. It was just non-descript.
All in all, this book was good. I enjoyed it, I would say I "liked " it and I would recommend it. It wasn't stunning, but it did touch me and stick with me, and I don't think you can ask for much more from a book.
Anyway. I read this book based on the inclusion of Amok in Peter Boxall's 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. Since that was the only story of Zweig's included, I assume that would be far and away my favorite of the four stories included. I'm also personally much more interested in novels or even novellas than a short story. Amok was long enough that I thought that it would have the room to develop the character, plot and style as opposed to a lot of short stories I've read. I enjoyed Amok, but I actually felt it was the least developed of the four stories. I found the pivotal point of the plot - the idea that the main character, the doctor, would spontaneously ask the woman for sex just based on her vaguely imperious demeanor ridiculous. The rest of the story was impressive, fascinating and artfully wrought, but the whole plot seemed to be stretched a little thin because of the shaky base provided by that one point. This story did, however, manage the most important part of a short story for me; it left me thinking about it.
Of all the stories in this book, I enjoyed Leporella the most. I found the characters well developed and believable but unique enough to be interesting and realistic. The plot was well grounded and the prose smooth.
The Star Above the Forest was beautifully written, with absolutely gorgeous prose and analogies. Although the plot was silly and unrealistic, it actually added to the story instead of detracting because of the ethereal, mystical sense of the whole story.
I was least impressed by Incident on Lake Geneva. I found it too short, too one dimensional and too abstract. I was unimpressed and unengaged. I honestly don't have much more to say about it than that. It was just non-descript.
All in all, this book was good. I enjoyed it, I would say I "liked " it and I would recommend it. It wasn't stunning, but it did touch me and stick with me, and I don't think you can ask for much more from a book.
