This extraordinary debut novel from Whiting Writers’ Award winner John Wray is a poetic portrait of a life redeemed at one of the darkest moments i...
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reviews
Apr 26, 2009
Lon
rated it: 
The Right Hand of Sleep was one of several John Wray titles that I had on my 'hold' list at the library. But I think I can let the others expire as this novel didn't meet my expectations. The characters - even the protagonists - were just a bit too cold and distant. And the writing style - appreciated by the critics - was a bit too abstract and was lost on me. With the bank-and-forth recollections of Oskar Voxlauer and of Else Bauer's Nazi cousin, I sometimes lost my place with characters, tim
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Jul 19, 2011
Mike
rated it:
A strange book in some ways. It's quite well written, and the story, of a young Austrian's life from going off to war, to coming back to an Austria about to be taken over by the Nazis, is an interesting one. Somehow the characters remain one dimensional and I found it hard to get involved in the book.
Apr 10, 2009
Bridgit
rated it: 
Very impressed with this novel. What I gleaned is how easy it is to be complacent about the state of the state. (This novel is set in Austria between WWI and WWII.) Very creepy - that part. Not at all heavy-handed. Seems like a very masculine book, which is interesting for me.
Jan 01, 2012
Barb
rated it:
Story about an Austrian deserter in WWI who returns to his home town 20 years later to witness the beginning of NAzism. The conversation method Wray uses is disconcerting to me. Not a satisfying story.
Feb 16, 2010
Jen
rated it:
This novel tells the story of a man named Oskar Voxlauer, who returns to his Austrian village in 1938 after a long period away. Eventually, it becomes clear that he served in World War I and deserted in Hungary. He then trekked to the Ukraine where he lived on a collective. His return home is fraught with challenges, not least of which is coming to grips with the rising tide of Nazism and what it means for his Jewish childhood friend and his new relationship. Wray's writing is beautiful, and, ha
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Aug 05, 2011
D.
rated it:
Impressive for a first novel. Very authentic. However, the characters were not very well constructed and dialogue style was not conducive to an enjoyable read.
Sep 07, 2009
Deodand
rated it:
Wray's style reminds me a bit of Cormac McCarthy's in its simplicity. He leaves quite a few things to the imagination in this novel - the narrator is not entirely omniscient, which I appreciate. I also liked the dialogue, it was very natural.
It is easy to develop empathy for Voxlauer, the protagonist, but I didn't really go in for the other characters, especially one who shows up late in the novel and tells his own story. I found his story a little boring.
It is easy to develop empathy for Voxlauer, the protagonist, but I didn't really go in for the other characters, especially one who shows up late in the novel and tells his own story. I found his story a little boring.
Oct 04, 2009
Melody
rated it: 
John Wray again does a fine job of entering characters lives fully. I learned about the invasion of Austria by Germany. Wray allows you to really grasp the pain/anger/grief/confusion of those men who must go off to fight war. We experience the space between WWI and WWII. I enjoy his clear style and sense of pacing.
Feb 09, 2011
Gloria
rated it: 
The flashback scenes from Oskar's time in the war deftly drew me in ... a pity the rest of the book didn't do the same.
Oct 12, 2011
Corey
rated it:
One of the best novels I've read recently and one of the best first novels I've ever read.
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