A blind Greek peddler tells the story of the wedding between a fellow peddler and his bride in a remarkable series of vivid and telling vignettes. ...
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Feb 21, 2011
Joyce
rated it: 
To the Wedding is a small slender book that addresses the larger issues of love, divorce, disease, separation and ideology common to late twentieth century life in tenderly observant prose. John Berger, author of G, Pig Earth and many other novels, understands small kindnesses, great compassion and the joys of a shared life, not only between lovers but amongst a community.
A blind Greek storyteller relates a new tale he's heard about the wedding of a young girl, Ninon, and her bel More...
A blind Greek storyteller relates a new tale he's heard about the wedding of a young girl, Ninon, and her bel More...
May 11, 2011
Jude
rated it:
I have read Berger as a source for my art History degree and found his writing insightful and thought provoking but he does need work to get to the gist of his criticsm. I've never read his fiction.
The rhythm of this book is a bit difficult to start with. Other readers have found it hard to get into. I would recommend reading this in as short a space of time as possible. This helps to keep the rhythms and stories fresh in your mind so you don't have to work to pick up the thread again.
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The rhythm of this book is a bit difficult to start with. Other readers have found it hard to get into. I would recommend reading this in as short a space of time as possible. This helps to keep the rhythms and stories fresh in your mind so you don't have to work to pick up the thread again.
More...
Aug 18, 2011
Jenny
rated it:
"With music, hope too enters the body."
This is a quick read about a wedding, told from various perspectives, and as it unfolds you realize that events are not as happy as a wedding would typically be. I wasn't really into it, with the quick snippets of thought and changing narration, until Zdena connects with a man on the bus, and suddenly it became this touching connected story.
"Life depends on it... none of us can stop. You pick up something here, you More...
This is a quick read about a wedding, told from various perspectives, and as it unfolds you realize that events are not as happy as a wedding would typically be. I wasn't really into it, with the quick snippets of thought and changing narration, until Zdena connects with a man on the bus, and suddenly it became this touching connected story.
"Life depends on it... none of us can stop. You pick up something here, you More...
Jan 24, 2009
Frenje
rated it:
Berger's writing style reminds me a lot of that of Michael Ondaatje, who incidentally writes a little recommendation for this book on the back cover. Just so beautifully poetic, and I feel as if he captures that European rhythm so well, I feel as if this was translated from another language. And it was so oddly timeless too, I kept forgetting that this was supposed to be in a modern-day setting. My favourite part of the book were the bits where you got to see Ninon's character, and I almost wish
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Jan 14, 2012
Every time I pick up a John Berger novel, I think that I'll love it, but every time I try to read a John Berger novel, I can never finish; I get lost and confused by the seemingly irrelevant snippets of images that bubble up. Adding to that is the feeling that the narrative style is so soft that it doesn't drive with a serious plea for the reader to try and make sense of any of those images. The result is that certain elements and images will pass by unnoticed until I've realized that I've read
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Jul 27, 2011
Another review called this book "lyrical fiction" and I think that's appropriate because it contains many beautiful descriptions and analogies. Unfortunately, it jumps around between storylines, characters and times quickly and without warning. Because of that, it's the kind of book I would have put down because I don't like stories that are so dis-jointed. (I stuck with it only because I have the audio version and I need something to pass time on my commute to work.) In the end, I
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Mar 18, 2010
Tami
rated it: 
this might be the strangest review i have ever written:
the book was a little choppy in the beginning and i was not really enjoying it. i kept going and then considered putting it down each time i picked it up. but i am glad i kept reading.
for those considering reading it, or who just started, and cannot get through the beginning. skip to page 73, read from there. if you are still not hooked, put it down. you do not need most of the beginning to enjoy the rest of the More...
the book was a little choppy in the beginning and i was not really enjoying it. i kept going and then considered putting it down each time i picked it up. but i am glad i kept reading.
for those considering reading it, or who just started, and cannot get through the beginning. skip to page 73, read from there. if you are still not hooked, put it down. you do not need most of the beginning to enjoy the rest of the More...
Aug 09, 2010
To the Wedding is a beautifully lyrical story told by a blind Greek street seller, who hears everything and he tells the story of Ninon and Gino's wedding. This story jumps from one character to another and slightly reminded me of a cross between a poem and Faulkner's "The Sound and the Fury." I enjoyed this novel. It was beautifully written and told a simple story. The story seemed oddly timeless, especially in being told by a blind greek storyteller, but at the same time the stor
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Oct 11, 2010
Bailey
rated it:
I couldn't resist this book when I saw that Michael Ondaatje had written the following endorsement for it: "A great, sad, tender lyric, a novel that is a vortex of community and compassion that somehow overcomes fate and death. Wherever I lie in the world, I know I will have this book with me." The book is indeed special and at times stunning, but it was hard for me to get past Berger's style. To me it seemed a bit too mannered, too deliberate.
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Jun 22, 2009
Vernon
rated it:
A mosaic-like portrait of family and European history...but it is told quietly, as Berger traces the small moments that people experience (and remember) in their lives. Some of the best writing here describes the sensations of writing a motorcycle. This novel is very similar in style to Michael Ondaatje (esp English Patient and In the Skin of a Lion) but I even wondered if it were not a bit too similar to Ondaatje.
Oct 15, 2011
Michael
rated it: 
Such a special book. It's hard to have your heart in the right place as a storyteller, to love people and hate what we do to the world and to each other. Berger deftly maneuvers to create this perfect melancholic space to hold the kind of joy he wants to summon. It's a rite of renewal in the form of a book. Sometimes Berger misses with his novels, maybe even most of the time, but when he hits he hits.
Aug 16, 2009
Kirstie
rated it:
Poetic, lyrical in some ways...completely emotional. Probably the best review of this book is on the back cover, a quote from Michael Ondaatje "Wherever I live in the world, I know I will have this book with me." It's important to carry around the books you love and this one definitely made an impression on me both times I read it.
Jan 05, 2012
Jane(Janelba)
rated it:
A beautiful, thought provoking book told through short vignettes about all the characters involved with the end result of a wedding between two courageous people in love.
This book was given to me by a friend for my birthday and I'm sure I will re-read it several times.
This book was given to me by a friend for my birthday and I'm sure I will re-read it several times.
Jul 23, 2011
Claudia
rated it:
Bittersweet, visceral, and lovely with many poetic and vivid descriptions. Reads like a dream, in a style reminiscent of Virginia Woolf. There are romantic and tragic parts, but they are expressed with simplicity and sincerity. A worthwhile read.
Jul 08, 2010
Monika
rated it:
This book was not what I thought it would be after reading the back cover. Better than I expected, although at times I wasn't completely sure whose view point we were getting. Sad but the compassion makes it joyous.
Jun 03, 2009
Britton
rated it:
The man narrator is a blind man, weaving together the stories of several people in an affectionate and slightly detached way. The book works up to a beautiful climax that is full of emotion and imagery. Sad and lovely.
Apr 01, 2011
Heidi
rated it: 
Daughter gets AIDS from unprotected sex but find a man who will love her still. Parents devastated. The wedding itself is a celebration of life and her new husband's devotion.
Jun 07, 2009
Rachael
rated it:
The language here was beautiful, but for some reason the story just didn't catch with me as well as it could have. I think it's because the point of view wanders, making the intensity of the wedding's tragedy a bit hard to hang on to. Still, really wonderful
Dec 14, 2008
Amy
rated it:
fun to read concurrently with slaughterhouse five. unexpected similarities between the two-both are non-linear tales, both are told by someone other than the main character, both take place in the same part of the world. but they're entirely different in tone. to the wedding read more like poetry.
Mar 25, 2009
Will2
rated it:
A difficult POV to keep track of but beautifully written. Story of a family coming back together for the poignant, painful wedding of the daughter.
Oct 26, 2009
Moxie
rated it: 
This was one of the worst reads I've had in a long time. It was slow, difficult to tell who was narrating, and did not provide you enough insight into any of the main characters for you to care about then, and then it got super depressing.
Ick.
Ick.
Aug 25, 2010
Aimie
rated it:
Even more incredible the second time around, and it's been 15 years since my first reading!
Jun 25, 2010
Heather
rated it:
It was written in the first person, but the narrator kept changing. I was not in the mood.
Apr 15, 2011
Leslie
rated it:
This is one of my favorite books recommended by one of my favorite friends. The opening chapter has the most beautiful, visual verse and sets the tone for the book:
Wonderful a fistful of snow in the mouths
of men suffering summer heat
Wonderful the spring winds
for mariners who long to set sail
And more wonderful still the single sheet
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Wonderful a fistful of snow in the mouths
of men suffering summer heat
Wonderful the spring winds
for mariners who long to set sail
And more wonderful still the single sheet
More...
May 30, 2008
Shannon
rated it:
I picked this for book club since the guy at Diesel raved about it. Usually I like Diesel's recommendations...a lot. I didn't get what all the hype was about. I just did not feel these characters at all. I didn't even finish the book because I didn't think it was worth my time and it's not a very long book or difficult to read. My book club felt the same way. Whoa! I see no other reviewer feels the way I do. Maybe I should re-read it and finish it this time.
