Slow and deliberate from boyhood, John Franklin appears destined to be a misfit. But he trades the ever-expanding world of Industry and Empire for ...
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Jul 29, 2011
Molly
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A little known and fine piece of literature is the novel Die Entdeckung der Langsamkeit (The Discovery of Slowness), by Sten Nadolny. The story is a fictionalized account of John Franklin, a historical explorer around the turn of the 19th century. As the protagonist, John Franklin is the most unlikely of adventurers because he is regarded as “slow”. He has a disability restricting and affecting his physical movement as well as his perception. He literally cannot move quickly or see things th
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Mar 25, 2010
Steve
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The Discovery of Slowness is a "novel of ideas," but rather than the negative connotation that term often seems to carry, I intend it here as high praise. Nadolny's probing questions about what qualities make a person succeed or fail, and about the value of slow, determined strength, are engrossing and provocative. Those questions are made crucial to the vivid telling of John Franklin's story (the historical accuracy of which I can't speak to, but it certainly felt believable to me), s
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Jul 27, 2009
Rachel
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Meant to read this a long time ago and was moving at my own pace, per the underlying message of this very beautiful (and beautifully paced) novel about timing and being true to one's internal clock. Turns out it requires weirdly unshakable confidence. Also a preference for the open sea appears useful. I haven't been this interested in early expeditions to the arctic in quite some time (read: ever). But in general, it was just my speed. (Side note: the author does not use any puns as terrible as
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Jan 06, 2012
Themis-Athena
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Nov 15, 2008
Joi
rated it: 
A novelization of John Franklin's life, The Discovery of Slowness opens with John's struggle as a child to "keep up" with a faster paced world. Early in his life, John accepts what many would consider a disability, and in this acceptance turns it into a strength. Following John through his early career in the military, his struggles to live as a military seaman during times of peace, his journeys North, and his thrust into politics, The Discovery of Slowness never picks up its slow and
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Jul 27, 2011
Joana
rated it:
Given to me by a slow friend who I now understand much better. As I also understand my own excess of speed and how that brings about superficiality.
Much more than the biography of John Franklin. Much more than a discoverers epic. Much more than a collection of sea adventures.
Should be read slowly :)
Much more than the biography of John Franklin. Much more than a discoverers epic. Much more than a collection of sea adventures.
Should be read slowly :)
Aug 09, 2010
Sundaysgal
rated it:
Follow where the path leads without doubt or fear. there is only now to be addressed. The main character in this book is breathtakingly well-written. By the end you are so in his head that everything makes perfect sense and you're so sympathetic to him that everyone who ever judged him seems utterly foolish
Dec 16, 2011
Zeb
rated it:
One of the highlights of my life: having smoked-salmon breakfast in my house with Sten Nadolny. He is every bit as adorable as his books suggest, and the lesser known books by his mother would suggest also, that this is a lovely cultured family.
The book speaks for itself, read it if you feel drawn to that sort of literature. The sort being: taking a historical character and building a novel around that persons life, based on fact and embellished by the author's ideas. I'd have to re- read t More...
The book speaks for itself, read it if you feel drawn to that sort of literature. The sort being: taking a historical character and building a novel around that persons life, based on fact and embellished by the author's ideas. I'd have to re- read t More...
Jun 27, 2010
Dasmaedchen
rated it:
Nadolny schreibt Geschichten! Er recherchiert, er imaginiert und erfindet dabei Wirklichkeiten, die nie vorgeben Warheiten zu sein und dennoch zur Realität werden. Hier die Realität eines großen Seefahrers.
Jan 02, 2011
Mikee
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Wonderful book. Mostly true story of the life and death of John Franklin (sea captain and arctic explorer). I will read it again (for the third time).
Jun 04, 2011
Janosch
rated it: 
Our protagonist is someone special and fascinating. For him everything has a different meaning caused by his slow mentality.
Imagine you are involved in a chaotic situation and everyone goes crazy.
For you it is fine because you see,feel,think and experience everything a lot slower than the other. This helps John Franklin to survive a incredible adventure!
Will his dream come true? Check out this different adventure type and you wont regret it!
Imagine you are involved in a chaotic situation and everyone goes crazy.
For you it is fine because you see,feel,think and experience everything a lot slower than the other. This helps John Franklin to survive a incredible adventure!
Will his dream come true? Check out this different adventure type and you wont regret it!
Jun 05, 2011
Sophie
rated it:
I had been wanting to read this book for ages, but I never wanted to buy it. And then my dad loaned me his copy. It's another book on Franklin, head of the expedition to find the Northwest Passage. It's very beautifully written, and it formed a nice counterpoint to reading Dan Simmons' Terror.
May 25, 2009
Corin
rated it:
I read the English translation. Very different text than my typical reading, and even in it's style a lesson in patience, observation, and slowness.
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