Confusion (Pushkin Collection) by Stefan Zweig, Anthea Bell (translator) (2006) Perfect Paperback

by Anthea Bell (translator) Stefan Zweig

Genres: Fiction

Unknown Binding

Reviews

[Tom Klinge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Voorlopige Zweig rating:

-Angst 3/5: beetje saai.

-Burning secret 3/5: beetje 20e eeuwse boeketroman-vibe.

- Journey into the past 3.5/5: wordt beter en beter richting het einde.

-Confusion 4/5: erg boeiende mysterieuze sfeer, beetje matig einde maar leest als een trein.

-Schaaknovelle 4.5/5: gewoon kneitergoed.

[Yin Ling · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a stellar novella, my heart !! I need a physical copy of this

[Stef Smulders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zweig is exceptional in analyzing and describing the feelings of his characters. For a modern reader the 'plot' isnt as shocking and surprising as it would have been 100 years ago, though.

[Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stefan Zweig schafft es wiedermal die Gefühle des Protagonisten auf den Leser zu übertragen. Ein schrecklicher Zwiespalt, ein Hin- und Herreißen der Gefühle, eine existenzielle Angst und die Hingabe gegenüber dem Liebenden.
Das Buch hat mich sehr beeindruckt aber auch etwas traurig gemacht, da man sich ein anderes (besseres) Ende für den Protagonisten gewünscht hätte.

[Aaron Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

mesmerizing, exquisite.

[Barksdale Penick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had its intriguing moments, especially when the narrator describes a professor who articulates fascinating observations about Shakespeare. For example, he asserted that while Shakespeare's genius is undeniable, his work was also a product of his time and place ( the is more detail than that, of course). The student becomes mentored by the professor and doesn't understand that the older man is gay and is in love with the student. Nothing happens between them, but 40 years later, the student is a successful professor with a wife and family but looks back on this man and realizes that he loved his mentor as well.

It seemed to me that Zweig was influenced by the classic American short stories of the 1920s and 30s, as the revelation about the mentor occurs in the last line, aiming for an unexpected twist at the end. I am sure this book was daring for its time.

[Hav · Rating 3 out of 5]

6/10