Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer
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- Опубликовано: 16 окт 2024
- Falling in Love! Just like many of the chaper's are titled 'Falling in Love' I just fall in love with this book again everytime I reread it.
And even though this is a rather long video for me, I feel I have barely touched what this book is about.
My Goodreads: / 6315232
Yes, I loved that, too. 'Not even sausage?'
I don't reread as much as I'd love to, because there are always so many new books I want to read. But sometimes I just feel one of my old favorites reach out to me, and I can't resist :)
This book is amazing. I was totally lost for the first 50 pages and almost didn't continue reading, but I am SO glad I did. It's fantastic and so are his other works. JSF is one of my favorite authors. Something very beautiful and unique about the way he writes.
Yes, I can say I probably have read everything he wrote, except the cook book thingy...
Extremely loud and incredibly close isn't as complicated but uses similar narrative strategies. I have a video review up of that also. I just love the way he writes his books!
Thanks for this review. I haven't read anything by Foer,but he sounds brilliant. Thanks for giving me a push.
I just got this book from the library. Can't wait to start reading.
I really like how you said 'mature readers' as opposed to 'older readers'. It harkens back to my discussion an I really enjoy that concept. I've wanted to read something by this author for a while but I'm not sure which to start with. Do you have any suggestions?
I saw your answer! I think what you said about Augustine being someone they all fall in love with, was very true. She was a good person and someone to admire. I'll go think about it all and re-read some chapters :) I'll get back to you.
I can only agree with everything you said. I just wish he'd publish more books :)
Yes, when it came out. I remember liking it and thinking it was a good adaptation. I liked the actors they chose, they really represent the characters in the book well. The book is a lot better, because it has more and if I remember correctly they changed some bits.
The movie changed and simplified a lot. And of course it cannot represent the extraordinary writing. But it was well done, I agree.
This book sounds awesome, I'm going to have to give it a try. I watched the movie trailer just to get a sense of the book and it seems like a cool idea for a novel. Have you read Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close? because I know that is a lot of peoples favorite book as well.
I just love him! I'm an 'Anglistik Magister' which means I studied English literature, but I never figured out how to earn money with that, so I somehow ended up teaching. But I don't really like 'normal' schools, but I consider myself lucky, cause I got the chance to teach at a private language school. But I'm still trying to figure out what I really want to do. Haha
Yes, it is confusing. I think the first time I read it I mainly loved the way it was written, but couldn't really say what happened. It's worth sticking with it though, even if it's full pleasure only hits you after a second or third reading ;)
I've never read the book, but I've watched the movie. It was quirky and unique with a lot of soul in it. I watched it because of Elijah Wood, he always chooses his projects carefully. Have you seen it?
I think you can start anywhere, because his books aren't related to each other an they all play with text formats and narration. Pick the one that interests you most. I think I have reviews of his other books up, too. Maybe that'll help you decide. I hope you like him, too :)
I started reading that book last year but never finished it. I remember I really enjoyed Alex's funny thesaurus language but the story got so confusing at one point I just couldn't follow without getting more and more frustrated :) I'm sure I'll come back to it one day, though.
I've never read this book, but I have seen the movie and I really liked it, so maybe I will like the book more?
I liked Brod. She was such a strong person! But I also thought Safran's life was fascinating, also I totally had the WTF experience ;)
Hello. I run a bookclub (in English in a non-English-speaking country) and today we are discussing this book. I just saw your video. I also love this book. It is the fourth time I read the book and it made me cry and laugh as the first time. I have always read it from start to end, but next time I will do what you did and read each part separatelly. Thanks.
Hope it will bring a new experience to this loved book. I really need to reread this.
This sounds like an interesting book. I love it when there is an artistic element to the writing, when the words on the page are nonstandard. I actually hadn't heard of the book until just now!
i had never heard of this book...sounds very interesting.
One of my all time favorites! =) Great review of it, as well. I may have to re read it now that it's been so long! I was after forgetting some of the things you mentioned!!!! Thanks for the reminder! =D
Enjoy!
I just finished Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, and I sort of need more of his books. Then remembered that in the last video of adamandkarate this review was mentioned so I came back to your channel, and you made me want to read this book, more than I already wanted to. :)
I might reread it the way you suggested. I love this book so so much!
Oh I think you'll enjoy it.
You're welcome, I was actually made to pick it up, by a question Lara asked about the book, and I couldn't remember. So I used it as an excuse to read it again. :)
The "complicated writing" you mention is used when stories in the past are explained (Foer's ancestors) and not when present events (the trip) are described. This is a resource to depict how the past is pron to degrade with time and stories become different and more blurry to what they really were, due to having been passed from mouth to mouth. THis also explains why those stories of his ancestors are so exaggerated and most likely unreal (like the 10 year old boy who has sex with elders).
I think the main topic of the book is how time erases memories and life stories: how even heroes are doomed to be forgotten and their actions face off with time.
BTW: feel free to take a look at the review of this book in my channel :)
Oh I think you misunderstood what I meant by complicated writing. I think the book is written in a complicated - as not easy to understand- way. Referring to Alex and his evolving language is during the trip and in the letters, although, if I remember correctly, it is more prevalent in the letters.
I like your idea about stories changing with generations, never thought about that before.
(PS: Tried watching your video, but it wasn't in English and I couldn't follow, sorry.)
Indeed. That is the fascinating thing about the character of Alex (he and the grandfather the only 2 main characters in the book, let me go to this later): he changes all over the book and his skills with the language are a reflection of him becoming more mature. He peels off like an onion to let the reader (through the narrator in the book) see who he really is. Like a child living in dreams and pretending to be the super-cool guy he would like to be, he transitions to be the adult who is frank with himself and accepts his limitations and flaws. It is even hinted he is in love with Jonathan.
Going back to the characters in the book: it is composed of 2 real main characters: Alex and the grandfather. Jonathan does not play any real role in the story apart of being the narrator of the story and the "excuse" for the story to trigger. Nevertheless his presence and input in the development of the novel is almost null.
PD: you are right, i forgot to make the English version of my review public :) I will do it now :)
I loved that about Alex, that you can see him grow and let go of that MTV life he pretended to have.
I agree, Jonathan is more of a side character than actually a round changing character.
Great review! I really liked Alex's writing, and when I would understand how he used a word wrong it made me laugh :) I was liking the ancestors story while it was still with Bod, it was making perfect sense to me, even the 'magical' things in it (if I may call them that way, those heightened perception moments). And I've added favorite quotes form these parts, related to love. Really beautiful.
Then the ancestor changed and I was a bit "what just happened? who's that?" hehe
Hey Wiebke :-)
I'm a German student participating English advanced course. First of all, I love English books and above all your fabulous book reviews. You are doing a great job ;-) and I watch all you videos with pleasure as you are that natural and honest.
Now to Foer. I'm a great fan, too. I have to create a 45 minute "book report" and this video is a great help.
Honestly, to my mind there is one novel by Foer being even better than this one, viz. "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close", I can only recommend it!
All in all, Foer is great and you as well! I'm looking forward to further videos with pretty short haircut ;) :D
Thank you Klaus! I actually prefer Everything is Illuminated to Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. But I agree both are great novels!
Not sure I understand this comment. I read Eating Animals, and yes it is a good book and well written and totally disgusting at times and sort of enlightening. It made me dislike people, and question the sanity of the workers in the slaughterhouses.
J.S. Foer also wrote a cook book that I haven't read.
Great, I love pushing this book onto people, especially when they are already interested :)
It is!
Hallo Wiebke, danke für die schöne review! Jetzt habe ich richtig Lust, das Buch zu lesen. Es staubt schon seit Jahren auf meinem Sub rum.. :)
Let me know what your experiences were, when you did! I'm curious if it has the same effect on you.
OMG are you an English teacher?
1book1review, are you talking about "eating animals?" that's not a cook book. And you should definitely read it. You're doing yourself a disservice by not reading it.
Na dann nimm den Staubwedel und ran ;)
1book1review,