The Radetzky March (Von Trotta Family, #1) in Reading with Style

Nov 03, 2023 Elizabeth (Alaska) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: xxkindlerewards2023, 1001-books, kindle, 5-star-reads, from-friends, xx2023-acquisitions, mid-20th-century, gr-recommended

In this edition is a 2-part introduction by Nadine Gordimer. The first part is about Joseph Roth, how in so much of Roth's novels Roth and his anger comes through. I found this fascinating and think I might like to look at others of his novels. The second part wandered into what I considered spoiler territory about *this* novel and so I stopped reading.

This novel begins with the Battle of Solferino. Yes, I had to look it up. That battle took place in 1859 and, for those of us somewhat geographic In this edition is a 2-part introduction by Nadine Gordimer. The first part is about Joseph Roth, how in so much of Roth's novels Roth and his anger comes through. I found this fascinating and think I might like to look at others of his novels. The second part wandered into what I considered spoiler territory about *this* novel and so I stopped reading.

This novel begins with the Battle of Solferino. Yes, I had to look it up. That battle took place in 1859 and, for those of us somewhat geographically challenged, on the border between Italy and Austria. The novel says that Joseph Trotta, then a young lieutenant, saw that Emperor Franz Joseph I was in danger of being fired upon and so Trotta placed his hands on the Emperor's shoulders and forced him to the ground, thereby saving the Emperor's life. As the novel continues, this Trotta, who became the Hero of Solferino, was amply rewarded with promotions and other accolades. This favoritism continued to Trotta's son and grandson. The novel is dominated by the life of Carl Joseph Trotta, the grandson, and his relationship with his father, Franz Trotta.

Franz Trotta, the Hero's son, became a District Captain. Every Sunday morning, a band marched through the streets of his district and played Strauss' Radetzky March. This piece of music came up so often (to say nothing of the title of the novel) that I decided to listen to it. I loved watching and listening to this YouTube video by the Vienna Philharmonic (more than once!).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsoAK...

Of course what I read is a translaton that I hope it is accurate. I loved the writing style. The below has little to do with the story itself, but it had me feeling at one with the characters. Roth does those characterizations very well.

The doctor looked up at the sky. The silent stars offered no counsel; they were colder than the snow all around. The houses were dark, the streets deaf and dumb, the night wind blasted the snow into powder, Trotta’s spurs jingled softly, the doctor’s boot soles crunched next to them.

It should surprise no one that I have found a 5th star for this.

...more

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Jan 06, 2019 Kathleen (itpdx) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I will be traveling to Eastern Europe later this year. This was a book that was recommended by Rick Steves among others as good preparatory reading. It was difficult to read in parts. And I am never sure in translated works whether if it is due to translation or, in this case, the style of the author.
So, the good:
1) it is beautifully written. The words used to describe the villages and countryside that the Trottas inhabit in the early 20th century are wonderful. And I am hoping to see, smell and ...more

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Feb 19, 2021 Rosemary rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 1001-books

After Lieutenant Trotta saves the life of the young Emperor Franz Joseph in a battle in 1859, the Emperor makes him a Baron, and the fortunes of the Trotta family are inextricably bound to the fortunes of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Baron von Trotta has a son who becomes a senior provincial civil servant; he in turn has a son, Carl Joseph, who becomes a second Lieutenant Trotta, and the story follows them into the First World War.

I appreciated reading something from the point of view of this em ...more

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Mar 14, 2015 Maia rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2015

Incredible. Large, static, beautiful, static, moving, but absolutely static. Like a huge slab of beautiful marble. Both his writing, how he can describe, and his command of structure and material are a 5/5, fully recommend. Do not read if looking for a page-turner, it is gripping but in another way. The nostalgia a bit sentimental at times. I didn't get it for a while, Roth was this god i'd never tried, but i did get it pretty quickly. Don't expect lots of action. ...more

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