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The World of Yesterday
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August 2014- The World of Yesterday by Stefan Zweig
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Excellent review, Nigeyb.Just wanted to say that I've just got back from seeing the 'other' Zweig film of the moment which I mentioned earlier in our discussion, 'A Promise', starring Alan Rickman, Rebecca Hall and Game of Thrones actor Richard Madden.
Unfortunately this was a real disappointment - Rickman and Hall are very good, but I found Madden somewhat wooden and the whole thing is painfully slow and doesn't have much atmosphere, or any humour at all. I've now discovered that it has had really bad reviews - I didn't look at them before going.
The costumes look gorgeous, but that's about it. Not a patch on the wonderful 'Grand Budapest Hotel'.
I've just watched The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) dir by Wes Anderson. As you probably know it was inspired by the writings of Stefan Zweig and clearly this book was a massive influence on the film.We have a dedicated thread here...
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
...where I mention a few of the parallels that I noticed. It's a wonderful film and one I recommend very highly, all the more if you enjoyed this book as we all appear to have done so far.
I'm about halfway through Beware of Pity by Stefan Zweig and it's a stunning. Well worth reading. Thanks to whoever nominated it.
Here's my copy, next to Siouxsie...
It should make for a great BYT fiction discussion in November. I hope to read your thoughts and ideas then.
Hehehe! I spotted that edition of Mojo. Must get hold of a copy. Loved the Banshees!
Both are good reads!
I have now finished Beware of Pity. It's very good. I can't wait to discuss it in November. Here's my spoiler-free review...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Bright Young Things
Books mentioned in this topic
Beware of Pity (other topics)Beware of Pity (other topics)
A Time of Gifts (other topics)
Between the Woods and the Water (other topics)
The Impossible Exile: Stefan Zweig at the End of the World (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Stefan Zweig (other topics)Stefan Zweig (other topics)
Hans Fallada (other topics)
Patrick Leigh Fermor (other topics)
Stefan Zweig (other topics)
Barbara wrote: "I highly recommend it! "
I do too. I've thought about it/him a lot since finishing it. It is a marvellous companion piece to the Hans Fallada book we read recently, and is also a fantastic book to have in mind when reading this month's non-fiction choice....
A Time of Gifts by Patrick Leigh Fermor
In 1933, at the age of 18, Patrick Leigh Fermor set out on an extraordinary journey by foot - from the Hook of Holland to Constantinople. "A Time of Gifts" is the first volume in a trilogy recounting the trip, and takes the reader with him as far as Hungary. It is a book of compelling glimpses - not only of the events which were curdling Europe at that time, but also of its resplendent domes and monasteries, its great rivers, the sun on the Bavarian snow, the storks and frogs, the hospitable burgomasters who welcomed him, and that world's grandeurs and courtesies. His powers of recollection have astonishing sweep and verve, and the scope is majestic. First published to enormous acclaim, it confirmed Fermor's reputation as the greatest living travel writer, and has, together with its sequel "Between the Woods and the Water", been a perennial seller for 25 years.
...with Paddy F giving another perspective on pre-war Nazi Germany as he travels about the country (amongst others) as an 18 year old. Very interesting and insightful - and some of the best writing you'll read all year.