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Via Mala.
VIA MALA is a book of real characters and vivid force, a novel of power and beauty which leave a deep impression....The author, John Knittel, is an interesting writer and in "Viva Mala" the descriptions he uses to describe his obviously beloved Switzerland are nothing but pure reading. He seems to be painting landscapes with words. The hardship of humble people in the Grisons area in the 30's is highly evocative. The plot and suspense are well written and will keep you engrossed for hours...
Paperback
First published January 1, 1936
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About the author
John Knittel
41 books6 followersJohn Knittel was the son of a Württemberg missionary, Hermann Wilhelm Knittel, who was in the service of the Baseler Mission, along with his wife Ana née Schultze, was from the South Tyrol. Knittel was born in India, where his parents were engaged in missionary work. In 1895, the Knittels traveled with their children from India and returned to Switzerland and settled in Basel. John Knittel enrolled at the Gymnasium am Münsterplatz and was a schoolmate of Carl Jacob Burckhardt. He left the school and search for a vocational school in which to study and eventually became an apprentice in a cotton textile factory owned by an uncle.
In 1908 he moved to London and worked as a bank teller for Crédit Lyonnais. He then as a projectionist in some theaters. In London, he met his future wife Frances White Mac Bridger, whom he married in 1915 against the will of her parents. This marriage produced three children.
A meeting with the English writer Robert Smythe Hichens in 1917 was the start of his life as a writer. Hichens recognized Knittel's talent and urged him to write in English. In 1919, his first novel appeared The Travels of Aaron West, which became a commercial success. In England, he became a member of P.E.N. Club.
In 1921, Knittel settled in Switzerland with his wife, children and Hichens near Genfersee. In the following years, he took his family on his wide travels: Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia. In Egypt, he was impressed by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and supported a Schweizer Project dedicated to improving the life of poor fellaheen. The uncertain world political situation compelled the Knittels to return to Europe. In 1938 they began to live in the Haus Römersteig in Weinbergen von Maienfeld in Graubünden.
After the beginning of World War II, he sought Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels and with an introduction by Hans Carossa became a member of the Europäische Schriftsteller-Vereinigung (European Writers' League). In 1943 several friends of his daughter were sentenced to death for their participation in White Rose (Weiße Rose) - Willi Graf, Alexander Schmorell and Kurt Huber. He was denounced by his Swiss colleagues as a "Friend of the Nazis" (Nazifreund) and was expelled from the Schweizer Schriftsteller Verband (SSV).
Knittel died in his home in Maienfeld on April 26, 1970 at the age of 79.
In 1908 he moved to London and worked as a bank teller for Crédit Lyonnais. He then as a projectionist in some theaters. In London, he met his future wife Frances White Mac Bridger, whom he married in 1915 against the will of her parents. This marriage produced three children.
A meeting with the English writer Robert Smythe Hichens in 1917 was the start of his life as a writer. Hichens recognized Knittel's talent and urged him to write in English. In 1919, his first novel appeared The Travels of Aaron West, which became a commercial success. In England, he became a member of P.E.N. Club.
In 1921, Knittel settled in Switzerland with his wife, children and Hichens near Genfersee. In the following years, he took his family on his wide travels: Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia. In Egypt, he was impressed by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and supported a Schweizer Project dedicated to improving the life of poor fellaheen. The uncertain world political situation compelled the Knittels to return to Europe. In 1938 they began to live in the Haus Römersteig in Weinbergen von Maienfeld in Graubünden.
After the beginning of World War II, he sought Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels and with an introduction by Hans Carossa became a member of the Europäische Schriftsteller-Vereinigung (European Writers' League). In 1943 several friends of his daughter were sentenced to death for their participation in White Rose (Weiße Rose) - Willi Graf, Alexander Schmorell and Kurt Huber. He was denounced by his Swiss colleagues as a "Friend of the Nazis" (Nazifreund) and was expelled from the Schweizer Schriftsteller Verband (SSV).
Knittel died in his home in Maienfeld on April 26, 1970 at the age of 79.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 24, 2015
Tetszett a könyv, de megszenvedtem vele. Az első 200 oldal kész kínszenvedés volt számomra, mikor azt ecsetelte az író, hogy Jonas Lauretz hogyan sanyargatta a családját. A "második könyv" sokkal emészthetőbb volt, mikor is Knittel Silvelie és Andi szerelméről írt. A "harmadik könyv" megint elég nyomasztó, mikor a szereplők lelki terhei kerültek a középpontba. Elgondolkodtató erkölcsi problémákat feszeget a szerző, miközben bemutatja a két világháború közötti Svájcot.
December 25, 2023
4.50⭐
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2021
Re-reading po dvadsiatich rokoch stál skutočne za to! Musím povedať že sa mi kniha páčila ešte oveľa viac, ako keď som ju čítala zamlada.
Dej príbehu sa odohráva v medzivojnovom Švajčiarsku. Kniha je rozdelená do troch častí. Hlavnými hrdinami sú členovia rodiny Lauretzových a postupne sa pridávajú vedľajšie postavy. Otec, starý Lauretz,je alkoholik, sukničkár a hlavne tyran. Syna Niklausa zmrzačil nielen na tele,ale najmä na duši. Dcéra Silvelie bola taktiež poznačená jeho zlosťou. Z matky bola živá ľudská troska a jedine statná Hanna sa akýmsi zázrakom vyhla následkom otcovej tvrdej ruky. Postihnutý člen rodiny, nazývaný Krpáň, sa tu mihol len občas. Knittel bravúrne popísal nie len charakter postáv, ale najmä to,ako sa dokázali (ne)vyrovnať so svojím osudom po boku tyrana. Aby to nebolo len o psychológii a tyranii, musím povedať, že autor veľmi krásne zachytil krásy švajčiarskych krajov. Väčšinou ma v knihe opisy prírody nudia, no Knittel používa jazyk, ktorým ma nútil predstaviť si pochmúrne prostredie Via Maly. Dialógov je v príbehu síce pomenej na "dnešné pomery", vyvažuje to však aj vnútornými monológmi postáv. Práve v týchto pasážach som sa dokázala stotožniť s ich konaním a neodsudzovala ich rozhodnutia. Táto kniha je zmesou všetkého- týrania,strachu,svedomia, lásky,odhodlania,... Proste si to prečítajte! Nebudete ľutovať!
Dej príbehu sa odohráva v medzivojnovom Švajčiarsku. Kniha je rozdelená do troch častí. Hlavnými hrdinami sú členovia rodiny Lauretzových a postupne sa pridávajú vedľajšie postavy. Otec, starý Lauretz,je alkoholik, sukničkár a hlavne tyran. Syna Niklausa zmrzačil nielen na tele,ale najmä na duši. Dcéra Silvelie bola taktiež poznačená jeho zlosťou. Z matky bola živá ľudská troska a jedine statná Hanna sa akýmsi zázrakom vyhla následkom otcovej tvrdej ruky. Postihnutý člen rodiny, nazývaný Krpáň, sa tu mihol len občas. Knittel bravúrne popísal nie len charakter postáv, ale najmä to,ako sa dokázali (ne)vyrovnať so svojím osudom po boku tyrana. Aby to nebolo len o psychológii a tyranii, musím povedať, že autor veľmi krásne zachytil krásy švajčiarskych krajov. Väčšinou ma v knihe opisy prírody nudia, no Knittel používa jazyk, ktorým ma nútil predstaviť si pochmúrne prostredie Via Maly. Dialógov je v príbehu síce pomenej na "dnešné pomery", vyvažuje to však aj vnútornými monológmi postáv. Práve v týchto pasážach som sa dokázala stotožniť s ich konaním a neodsudzovala ich rozhodnutia. Táto kniha je zmesou všetkého- týrania,strachu,svedomia, lásky,odhodlania,... Proste si to prečítajte! Nebudete ľutovať!
June 17, 2016
Wonderfully written, but still, I think it is too long, maybe some parts were redundant. But still,great novel, in three parts, all three different in structure and style and action. Set in Switzerland, around 1930, story line is about young, beautiful and very smart girl named Silvia, her life with a brutal father that terrorize, brutally beat and abuse all members in her modest family. Then a murder happens, and it is the end of first part. Second part is about tender love story between Silvia and handsome young judge from rich and noble family, her pangs of conscience, her fears... The third part is about the ethics of punishment, inadequate laws, judges and lawyers in sentencing and issuing judgments.. The young lawyer is torn between his enormous love for Sylvia and his sense of justice....
In short, this book of nearly 600 pages is exciting, and if I had some trouble getting the first third, I devoured the rest in three days. A beautiful classic read for thought in today's society where crime is on the rise.
In short, this book of nearly 600 pages is exciting, and if I had some trouble getting the first third, I devoured the rest in three days. A beautiful classic read for thought in today's society where crime is on the rise.
April 16, 2022
Das Buch erzählt auf interessante, glaubwürdige Weise, wie das Leben im Bergland der Schweiz früher war. Die Gefühlslage der Leute ist für mich allerdings schwer nachzuvollziehen. Teils sentimenale Geschwurbel (z.B. der alte Maler, der der hübschen jungen Frau hinterhersäftelt), die schöne, herzensgute Tochter, die sich weigert, der Tatsache in die Augen zu sehen, dass ihr Vater ein absoluter Drecksack ist und ihm auch nach der 100. Enttäuschung noch eine Chance gibt. Der Sohn, der immer wieder gedemütigt wurde und selber zum Arschloch zu werden droht.
Zwischendrin legte ich eine mehrwöchige Lesepause ein. Doch dann wurde das Buch um einiges besser. Die Gewissenskonflikte des Untersuchungsrichters sind gut geschildert und seine Entscheidungen regen zum Nachdenken an
Zwischendrin legte ich eine mehrwöchige Lesepause ein. Doch dann wurde das Buch um einiges besser. Die Gewissenskonflikte des Untersuchungsrichters sind gut geschildert und seine Entscheidungen regen zum Nachdenken an
January 25, 2024
Dark and harrowing family drama set in Graubünden in Switzerland. The title derives from the ancient viamala (Romansh for ‘bad path’), a pathway along and across a gorge of the Hinterrhein in Graubünden. In olden days this was an important access route to the mountain passes across the alps in Switzerland.
October 25, 2020
Great book with complex charcters and very nice “paintings”. Every reader can find something in it. It has mistery, murder, love story, justice, dark family secrets etc.etc. Good and relaxing weekend reading, from far better choice than watching tv or doing sensless things.
April 3, 2021
I’ve read this as a teenager, it’s one of those epic stories describing a lot of hardship creating the main characters who carry it on their backs all the way - it’s a lot of description but never too much, it’s strong classics - a big fat story - exciting, strong, timeless
November 29, 2011
very dark but also very good
February 13, 2015
One of the greatest classic novels ever written.
January 17, 2026
Ein Roman von John Knittel über einen Vatermord im Süden der Schweiz, geschrieben ca. in den 1960ern.
Die Geschichte erzählt vor allem von einer Familie und den Menschen um sie herum. Alles spielt in beeindruckenden Landschaften wie Bergen, Schluchten, auf Almwiesen, in Hütten, Chalets und verschlafenen Städtchen und Dörfern in einer Zeit der wirtschaftlichen Krisen und Vorkriegsstimmung, ich vermute in den 1920ern. Die Atmosphäre wird von John Knittel ausführlich und bildhaft beschrieben.
Besonders gefallen hat mir die Figurenentwicklung, weil wir aus Sicht der verschiedenen Figuren ihre moralischen Dilemmata und ihre Entscheidungen miterleben. Jede Figur hat innere Spannungen und Kämpfe, die sie austrägt, das ist sehr lebensnah und glaubhaft erzählt. Dadurch fand ich die Geschichte sehr spannend.
Genervt war ich von den abstrakt gehaltenen Wertediskussionen zwischen einigen Charakteren und davon, dass die Geschichte so platt Patriotismus feiert, leider auch als möglichen Ausweg aus moralischen Unklarheiten. In dieser alten Ausgabe taucht leider mehrere Male das N-Wort auf, zudem noch als Negativ-Referenzrahmen. Ich hoffe, das ist in neueren Ausgaben geändert.
Die Geschichte erzählt vor allem von einer Familie und den Menschen um sie herum. Alles spielt in beeindruckenden Landschaften wie Bergen, Schluchten, auf Almwiesen, in Hütten, Chalets und verschlafenen Städtchen und Dörfern in einer Zeit der wirtschaftlichen Krisen und Vorkriegsstimmung, ich vermute in den 1920ern. Die Atmosphäre wird von John Knittel ausführlich und bildhaft beschrieben.
Besonders gefallen hat mir die Figurenentwicklung, weil wir aus Sicht der verschiedenen Figuren ihre moralischen Dilemmata und ihre Entscheidungen miterleben. Jede Figur hat innere Spannungen und Kämpfe, die sie austrägt, das ist sehr lebensnah und glaubhaft erzählt. Dadurch fand ich die Geschichte sehr spannend.
Genervt war ich von den abstrakt gehaltenen Wertediskussionen zwischen einigen Charakteren und davon, dass die Geschichte so platt Patriotismus feiert, leider auch als möglichen Ausweg aus moralischen Unklarheiten. In dieser alten Ausgabe taucht leider mehrere Male das N-Wort auf, zudem noch als Negativ-Referenzrahmen. Ich hoffe, das ist in neueren Ausgaben geändert.
November 26, 2017
Beautiful. Dark. Thought provoking.
Sometimes it felt more like looking at a painting than reading.
Sometimes it felt more like looking at a painting than reading.
September 16, 2023
Fascinating novel. With interesting food for thought on morality and justice. A book full with love and fraternal solidarity.
June 11, 2014
Amazing writer and psychologist! John Knittel really nailed it. I never hated more a fictional character like Jonas Lauretz. I never wanted an investigator to pardon a bunch of murderers. I never both admired and felt frustrated with a character, like I did regarding Silvelie. Amazing book, a must read!
October 27, 2013
Veľmi jednoduchý príbeh zasadený do komorného prostredia dedinky v švajčiarských Alpách, ale o to krajší čitateľský žážitok som z nej mala. 3 a pol * :o)
April 7, 2014
my favorite book so far
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews