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Kneller's Happy Campers
Kneller's Happy Campers is a strange, dark but funny tale set in a world very much like our own but it's an afterlife populated by people who have killed themselves - many of them are young, and most of them bear the marks of their death... bullet wounds, broken necks...(those who have over-dosed are known as 'Juliets').
When Mordy, our hero, discovers that his girlfriend from his life before has also 'offed' herself, he sets out to find her, and so follows a strange adventure...
Full of the weird and wonderful characters, and the slightly surreal twist of events that we've come to expect from Etgar Keret, this novella is full of humour and comic flashes, but it is also wistful, longing for a better world and perfect love.
When Mordy, our hero, discovers that his girlfriend from his life before has also 'offed' herself, he sets out to find her, and so follows a strange adventure...
Full of the weird and wonderful characters, and the slightly surreal twist of events that we've come to expect from Etgar Keret, this novella is full of humour and comic flashes, but it is also wistful, longing for a better world and perfect love.
96 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
About the author
Etgar Keret
131 books2,368 followersBorn in Ramat Gan in 1967, Etgar Keret is a leading voice in Israeli literature and film. His books have been published in over four dozen languages and his writing has appeared in The New York Times, Le Monde and The New Yorker, among others. His awards include the Cannes Film Festival's "Caméra d'Or" (2007), the Charles Bronfman Prize (2016) and the prestigious Sapir Prize (2018). Over a hundred short films and several feature films have been based on his stories. Keret teaches creative writing at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Since 2021, he has been publishing the weekly newsletter "Alphabet Soup" on Substack.
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October 14, 2023
UNA RISATA CI SEPPELLIRÀ
Pizzeria Kamikaze in graphic novel: testo di Etgar Keret, disegni di Hasaf Hanuka.
Woody Allen s’è trasferito a Tel Aviv.
Però è più cattivo, più nero, più macabro, più pulsante, e vitale, e fresco. Più divertente. Meno cinico, più malinconico.
Nove racconti, alcuni molto brevi, altri più articolati, ed è nato un nuovo scrittore. Un nuovo artista che scrive e fa film (sceneggiatore, regista, produttore, attore, segretario di edizione!) e fumetti e cartoni animati.
Forse non è il suo esordio, ma lo è per quanto riguarda l’Italia, il suo primo libro pubblicato da noi.
Che sin dal titolo la dice lunga: come raccontare una realtà che sembra irreale, due popoli che convivono divisi e separati, con reciproca diffidenza, spesso disprezzo, quando non del tutto odio, boicottandosi, il forte schiacciando il più debole, il prepotente prevaricando chi è senza autorità, in un perenne stato di guerra, che spesso è guerriglia, bombe attentati morti, per strada, a scuola, in casa, razzi nel cielo…?
Nel tono dell’assurdo e del surreale, risponde Keret. Usando la lingua di tutti i giorni, la lingua della strada, dei giovani, con parole che vengono dallo slang.
E io lettore apprezzo la sua scelta.
I protagonisti sono perlopiù giovani di vent’anni o giù di lì.
Alcuni vestono un’uniforme e fanno, o sono costretti a fare, cose brutte tutta la settimana: poi, nel weekend sfilano in corteo in una manifestazione pacifista che protesta proprio contro quello che fanno dal lunedì al venerdì.
Oppure si tolgono la divisa all’ora dell’aperitivo e si lanciano nella movida, allungando la notte in un rave.
Altri sono vegani ossessivi, niente latte e neppure uova: poi, sono anche cecchini, killer, uccidono gente senza esitazione.
Il film del 2007 “Wristcutters: A Love Story” di Goran Dukić è tratto da uno dei racconti di questa raccolta.
Nella pizzeria del titolo lavora Haim: ha iniziato due giorni dopo essersi suicidato. Tra i clienti che mangiano la pizza, belle ragazze che vien voglia di rimorchiare, anche se hanno cicatrici sui polsi o la pelle molle di chi è annegato. Ma in fondo anche loro bevono birra e fumano canne.
E se a un tavolo della pizzeria si siede Kurt Cobain, i clienti e i camerieri lo ignorano ed evitano perché si lamenta troppo e non la smette con le sue canzoni.
Se Haim va a fare la spesa al supermercato capita che sventi una rapina. E poi incontri arabi suicidi coi quali scambi buone chiacchiere metafisiche.
Quasi come se esistesse un universo parallelo: ma quale dei due mondi è quello dritto e quale quello alla rovescia?
Pizzeria Kamikaze in graphic novel: testo di Etgar Keret, disegni di Hasaf Hanuka.
Woody Allen s’è trasferito a Tel Aviv.
Però è più cattivo, più nero, più macabro, più pulsante, e vitale, e fresco. Più divertente. Meno cinico, più malinconico.
Nove racconti, alcuni molto brevi, altri più articolati, ed è nato un nuovo scrittore. Un nuovo artista che scrive e fa film (sceneggiatore, regista, produttore, attore, segretario di edizione!) e fumetti e cartoni animati.
Forse non è il suo esordio, ma lo è per quanto riguarda l’Italia, il suo primo libro pubblicato da noi.
Che sin dal titolo la dice lunga: come raccontare una realtà che sembra irreale, due popoli che convivono divisi e separati, con reciproca diffidenza, spesso disprezzo, quando non del tutto odio, boicottandosi, il forte schiacciando il più debole, il prepotente prevaricando chi è senza autorità, in un perenne stato di guerra, che spesso è guerriglia, bombe attentati morti, per strada, a scuola, in casa, razzi nel cielo…?
Nel tono dell’assurdo e del surreale, risponde Keret. Usando la lingua di tutti i giorni, la lingua della strada, dei giovani, con parole che vengono dallo slang.
E io lettore apprezzo la sua scelta.
I protagonisti sono perlopiù giovani di vent’anni o giù di lì.
Alcuni vestono un’uniforme e fanno, o sono costretti a fare, cose brutte tutta la settimana: poi, nel weekend sfilano in corteo in una manifestazione pacifista che protesta proprio contro quello che fanno dal lunedì al venerdì.
Oppure si tolgono la divisa all’ora dell’aperitivo e si lanciano nella movida, allungando la notte in un rave.
Altri sono vegani ossessivi, niente latte e neppure uova: poi, sono anche cecchini, killer, uccidono gente senza esitazione.
Il film del 2007 “Wristcutters: A Love Story” di Goran Dukić è tratto da uno dei racconti di questa raccolta.
Nella pizzeria del titolo lavora Haim: ha iniziato due giorni dopo essersi suicidato. Tra i clienti che mangiano la pizza, belle ragazze che vien voglia di rimorchiare, anche se hanno cicatrici sui polsi o la pelle molle di chi è annegato. Ma in fondo anche loro bevono birra e fumano canne.
E se a un tavolo della pizzeria si siede Kurt Cobain, i clienti e i camerieri lo ignorano ed evitano perché si lamenta troppo e non la smette con le sue canzoni.
Se Haim va a fare la spesa al supermercato capita che sventi una rapina. E poi incontri arabi suicidi coi quali scambi buone chiacchiere metafisiche.
Quasi come se esistesse un universo parallelo: ma quale dei due mondi è quello dritto e quale quello alla rovescia?
November 3, 2019
A clever short story on the futility of human existence, given with excellent doses of humor and tenderness. The film Wristcutters: A Love Story, 2006 is based on this book. Another version has also been released as a graphic novel under the title "Pizzeria Kamikaze".
The author creates a parallel universe, where those who have committed suicide go. The scars from their wounds remain on their post mortem bodies, but that does not prevent them from living, working, traveling and falling in love. Even dying again.
Μια έξυπνη και σύντομη ιστορία, ένα διήγημα επάνω στην ματαιότητα της ανθρώπινης ύπαρξης, δοσμένη με εξαιρετικές δόσεις χιούμορ και τρυφερότητας. Πριν 11 χρόνια γυρίστηκε μάλιστα ως ταινία και έναν από τους κεντρικούς ήρωες, τον Kneller, τον υποδύεται ο Tom Waits (Wristcutters: A Love Story, 2006). Μια άλλη εκδοχή του διηγήματος έχει κυκλοφορήσει και ως graphic novel με τίτλο "Pizzeria Kamikaze".
Είναι αυτό το είδος των ιστοριών όπου η φαντασία μοιάζει ως μια κάπως διεστραμμένη εκδοχή της πραγματικότητας, κρατάει χαμηλούς τόνους, απουσιάζει κάθε στοιχείο υπερβολής. Ο συγγραφέας δημιουργεί ένα παράλληλο σύμπαν, εκεί όπου πηγαίνουν όσοι νεκροί έχουν βάλει τέλος στη ζωή τους με αυτοκτονία. Τα σημάδια από τις πληγές τους παραμένουν επάνω στα μεταθανάτια σώματά τους, αλλά αυτό δεν τους εμποδίζει να ζουν κανονικά, να εργάζονται, να ταξιδεύουν και να ερωτεύονται. Ακόμα και να ξαναπεθαίνουν.
Ο Mordy σε όλη το έργο αναζητά μια κοπέλα. Δεν θα αποκαλύψω αν την βρίσκει ή όχι, σίγουρα όμως συναντά τον Raphael Kneller, στα μισά της ιστορίας, έναν ανοιχτόκαρδο τύπο που έχει μετατρέψει το σπίτι του σε κοινόβιο και ψάχνει το χαμένο του σκύλο, ένα χαζό και λιχούδικο πλάσμα που μπορεί να μιλάει (αν και δεν έχει να πει και πολλά πράγματα).
Στην αλλόκοτη πορεία της αναζήτησής του ο Mordy θα συναντήσει διάφορους παράξενους χαρακτήρες και κάποιοι φέρουν τα χαρακτηριστικά γνωστών προσώπων, για παράδειγμα ο Kurt:
"Αυτός ο τύπος νομίζει πως είναι πολύ κούλ, γιατί ήταν επικεφαλής σε κάποιο μουσικό συγκρότημα και τα ρέστα. Αλλά η αλήθεια είναι πως πρόκειται για έναν βλάκα και μισό. Θέλω να πω πως ούτε κι εγώ τρελαίνομαι γι' αυτό το μέρος, αλλά αυτό ο τύπος είναι όλη την ώρα μέσα στη μίρλα. Άπαξ κι αρχίσει δε σταματάει. Θα κολλήσει επάνω σου σαν βδέλλα. Ό,τι κι αν συμβεί του θυμίζει κάποιο τραγούδι που είχε γράψει και επιμένει να στο απαγγείλει για να του πεις ύστερα πόσο γαμάτοι είναι οι στίχοι. Μερικές φορές ζητάει από τον μπάρμαν να βάλει κάποια από τα τραγούδια του να παίζουν, κι εσύ απλά θες να ανοίξεις μια τρύπα στο χώμα και να χωθείς μέσα".
Υποθέτω πως εδώ ο συγγραφέας έχει στο μυαλό του τον Kurt Cobain των Nirvana. Και δεν είναι το μόνο αναγνωρίσιμο πρόσωπο που υπάρχει μέσα στην ιστορία. Ο J ένας τύπος που εμφανίζεται προς το τέλος και γίνεται η αφορμή για μια μεγάλη ανατροπή, αποτελεί επίσης μια χιουμοριστική εκδοχή του Ιησού.
Παρ' όλο που το έργο είναι γραμμένο με ανάλαφρο τρόπο, δεν του λείπει η στοχαστική διάθεση. Σε ένα από τα σύντομα επεισόδια, εμφανίζεται ένας άραβας μπάρμαν, ο Nasser, που πέθανε μετά από μια βομβιστική επίθεση αυτοκτονίας, το κορμί του πλέον μοιάζει με παζλ, και στο ερώτημα αν του είχαν υποσχεθεί μετά τον θάνατό του 70 νυμφομανείς παρθένες να τον περιμένουν στο παράδεισο, όλες αποκλειστικά δικές του, ο ίδιος απαντά με ένα αίσθημα παραίτησης και πικρίας:
"Ναι μου υποσχέθηκαν. Και να τί με περίμενε στο τέλος: Χλιαρή βότκα".
Τελικά ίσως πράγματι η μεγαλύτερη τιμωρία για έναν νεκρό να μην είναι το είδος της κόλασης με τα βασανιστήρια και τις φωτιές που περιγράφει ο Dante Alighieri αλλά αυτή η συνέχεια της ύπαρξης σε μια διάσταση όπου τίποτα σπουδαίο δεν συμβαίνει, τίποτα ιδιαίτερο δεν υπάρχει και που σε κάνει στο τέλος να εκτιμήσεις καλύτερα τη ζωή, όπως είναι, με όλα τα στραβά και τα ανάποδά της.
Ωραία ιστορία. Ευχαριστώ τον φίλο Γιώργο Ζωγράφο που μου πρότεινε να διαβάσω κάποιο έργο του Etgar Keret, ήταν το πρώτο διήγημα που έπεσε στα χέρια μου από τον συγκεκριμένο συγγραφέα, σίγουρα όμως δεν πρόκειται να είναι το τελευταίο.
The author creates a parallel universe, where those who have committed suicide go. The scars from their wounds remain on their post mortem bodies, but that does not prevent them from living, working, traveling and falling in love. Even dying again.
Μια έξυπνη και σύντομη ιστορία, ένα διήγημα επάνω στην ματαιότητα της ανθρώπινης ύπαρξης, δοσμένη με εξαιρετικές δόσεις χιούμορ και τρυφερότητας. Πριν 11 χρόνια γυρίστηκε μάλιστα ως ταινία και έναν από τους κεντρικούς ήρωες, τον Kneller, τον υποδύεται ο Tom Waits (Wristcutters: A Love Story, 2006). Μια άλλη εκδοχή του διηγήματος έχει κυκλοφορήσει και ως graphic novel με τίτλο "Pizzeria Kamikaze".
Είναι αυτό το είδος των ιστοριών όπου η φαντασία μοιάζει ως μια κάπως διεστραμμένη εκδοχή της πραγματικότητας, κρατάει χαμηλούς τόνους, απουσιάζει κάθε στοιχείο υπερβολής. Ο συγγραφέας δημιουργεί ένα παράλληλο σύμπαν, εκεί όπου πηγαίνουν όσοι νεκροί έχουν βάλει τέλος στη ζωή τους με αυτοκτονία. Τα σημάδια από τις πληγές τους παραμένουν επάνω στα μεταθανάτια σώματά τους, αλλά αυτό δεν τους εμποδίζει να ζουν κανονικά, να εργάζονται, να ταξιδεύουν και να ερωτεύονται. Ακόμα και να ξαναπεθαίνουν.
Ο Mordy σε όλη το έργο αναζητά μια κοπέλα. Δεν θα αποκαλύψω αν την βρίσκει ή όχι, σίγουρα όμως συναντά τον Raphael Kneller, στα μισά της ιστορίας, έναν ανοιχτόκαρδο τύπο που έχει μετατρέψει το σπίτι του σε κοινόβιο και ψάχνει το χαμένο του σκύλο, ένα χαζό και λιχούδικο πλάσμα που μπορεί να μιλάει (αν και δεν έχει να πει και πολλά πράγματα).
Στην αλλόκοτη πορεία της αναζήτησής του ο Mordy θα συναντήσει διάφορους παράξενους χαρακτήρες και κάποιοι φέρουν τα χαρακτηριστικά γνωστών προσώπων, για παράδειγμα ο Kurt:
"Αυτός ο τύπος νομίζει πως είναι πολύ κούλ, γιατί ήταν επικεφαλής σε κάποιο μουσικό συγκρότημα και τα ρέστα. Αλλά η αλήθεια είναι πως πρόκειται για έναν βλάκα και μισό. Θέλω να πω πως ούτε κι εγώ τρελαίνομαι γι' αυτό το μέρος, αλλά αυτό ο τύπος είναι όλη την ώρα μέσα στη μίρλα. Άπαξ κι αρχίσει δε σταματάει. Θα κολλήσει επάνω σου σαν βδέλλα. Ό,τι κι αν συμβεί του θυμίζει κάποιο τραγούδι που είχε γράψει και επιμένει να στο απαγγείλει για να του πεις ύστερα πόσο γαμάτοι είναι οι στίχοι. Μερικές φορές ζητάει από τον μπάρμαν να βάλει κάποια από τα τραγούδια του να παίζουν, κι εσύ απλά θες να ανοίξεις μια τρύπα στο χώμα και να χωθείς μέσα".
Υποθέτω πως εδώ ο συγγραφέας έχει στο μυαλό του τον Kurt Cobain των Nirvana. Και δεν είναι το μόνο αναγνωρίσιμο πρόσωπο που υπάρχει μέσα στην ιστορία. Ο J ένας τύπος που εμφανίζεται προς το τέλος και γίνεται η αφορμή για μια μεγάλη ανατροπή, αποτελεί επίσης μια χιουμοριστική εκδοχή του Ιησού.
Παρ' όλο που το έργο είναι γραμμένο με ανάλαφρο τρόπο, δεν του λείπει η στοχαστική διάθεση. Σε ένα από τα σύντομα επεισόδια, εμφανίζεται ένας άραβας μπάρμαν, ο Nasser, που πέθανε μετά από μια βομβιστική επίθεση αυτοκτονίας, το κορμί του πλέον μοιάζει με παζλ, και στο ερώτημα αν του είχαν υποσχεθεί μετά τον θάνατό του 70 νυμφομανείς παρθένες να τον περιμένουν στο παράδεισο, όλες αποκλειστικά δικές του, ο ίδιος απαντά με ένα αίσθημα παραίτησης και πικρίας:
"Ναι μου υποσχέθηκαν. Και να τί με περίμενε στο τέλος: Χλιαρή βότκα".
Τελικά ίσως πράγματι η μεγαλύτερη τιμωρία για έναν νεκρό να μην είναι το είδος της κόλασης με τα βασανιστήρια και τις φωτιές που περιγράφει ο Dante Alighieri αλλά αυτή η συνέχεια της ύπαρξης σε μια διάσταση όπου τίποτα σπουδαίο δεν συμβαίνει, τίποτα ιδιαίτερο δεν υπάρχει και που σε κάνει στο τέλος να εκτιμήσεις καλύτερα τη ζωή, όπως είναι, με όλα τα στραβά και τα ανάποδά της.
Ωραία ιστορία. Ευχαριστώ τον φίλο Γιώργο Ζωγράφο που μου πρότεινε να διαβάσω κάποιο έργο του Etgar Keret, ήταν το πρώτο διήγημα που έπεσε στα χέρια μου από τον συγκεκριμένο συγγραφέα, σίγουρα όμως δεν πρόκειται να είναι το τελευταίο.
February 10, 2013
Originally posted here.
Etgar Keret's Kneller's Happy Campers manages to be funny and depressing at the same time. It's the story of Mordy's life-after-death, the events that follow him through the time after he killed himself after a break up with his girlfriend. Yes, the entire book takes place in an actual afterlife, one that's reserved for those who've committed suicide.
Mordy's from Tel Aviv and his best (dead) friend is Uzi, an East German whose entire family lives together in this dark landscape. You read that right. His ENTIRE FAMILY has "offed," but they're happy they get to spend their afterlives together.
It's dark. Everyone bears the scars of the manner in which they killed themselves. The "hottest" girls are those that ODed because they look just like girls did back in Life - no slashes on their wrists, no sagging skin from drowning, no bullet holes (or exit wounds) in their heads.
It's not possible to ever forget that this is a land entirely populated by the dead, even if they go about their day-to-day business just like they did when they were alive. Everyone has jobs (Mordy works at Pizzeria Kamikaze [heh]), there's car trouble and drunken nights on the town.
But it's not just the story of Mordy's everyday afterlife, it's the story of a quest he sets out on with Uzi once he learns that the girl he killed himself over has ALSO killed herself. He believes it means they're obviously MFEO and has decided not to stop until he finds her.
I want to talk and talk and talk about this book - but it's difficult, because it's really only a novella. To say any more would give the entire thing away and I don't want to do that to you. It's possible that my attempts not to spoil things are futile, because there's a movie ( Wristcutters: A Love Story from 2006) which has a kickass soundtrack (Gogol Bordello!) and a fantastic cast, but there were a lot of changes made to try to translate the narrative for the screen.
Don't worry, I'm not going to go on a rant about how the BOOK IS SO MUCH BETTER THAN THE MOVIE, ZOMG! but it kind of is. The ending of the book, while not as give-up-candy-for-life-cos-it's-so-sweet as the movie, is (in my mind, anyway) superior and rather hopeful.
I am doing a terrible job of talking about this book. Just go read it because it's short and it's worth your time.
Stop arguing with me.
Everybody hates him, except Uzi. I think there's this thing that after you off yourself, with the way it hurts and everything – and it hurts like hell – the last thing you give a shit about is somebody with nothing on his mind except singing about how unhappy he is. I mean if you gave a flyin' fuck about stuff like that you'd still be alive, with a depressing poster of Nick Cave over your bed, instead of winding up here.
Etgar Keret's Kneller's Happy Campers manages to be funny and depressing at the same time. It's the story of Mordy's life-after-death, the events that follow him through the time after he killed himself after a break up with his girlfriend. Yes, the entire book takes place in an actual afterlife, one that's reserved for those who've committed suicide.
Mordy's from Tel Aviv and his best (dead) friend is Uzi, an East German whose entire family lives together in this dark landscape. You read that right. His ENTIRE FAMILY has "offed," but they're happy they get to spend their afterlives together.
It's dark. Everyone bears the scars of the manner in which they killed themselves. The "hottest" girls are those that ODed because they look just like girls did back in Life - no slashes on their wrists, no sagging skin from drowning, no bullet holes (or exit wounds) in their heads.
It's not possible to ever forget that this is a land entirely populated by the dead, even if they go about their day-to-day business just like they did when they were alive. Everyone has jobs (Mordy works at Pizzeria Kamikaze [heh]), there's car trouble and drunken nights on the town.
But it's not just the story of Mordy's everyday afterlife, it's the story of a quest he sets out on with Uzi once he learns that the girl he killed himself over has ALSO killed herself. He believes it means they're obviously MFEO and has decided not to stop until he finds her.
I want to talk and talk and talk about this book - but it's difficult, because it's really only a novella. To say any more would give the entire thing away and I don't want to do that to you. It's possible that my attempts not to spoil things are futile, because there's a movie ( Wristcutters: A Love Story from 2006) which has a kickass soundtrack (Gogol Bordello!) and a fantastic cast, but there were a lot of changes made to try to translate the narrative for the screen.
Don't worry, I'm not going to go on a rant about how the BOOK IS SO MUCH BETTER THAN THE MOVIE, ZOMG! but it kind of is. The ending of the book, while not as give-up-candy-for-life-cos-it's-so-sweet as the movie, is (in my mind, anyway) superior and rather hopeful.
I am doing a terrible job of talking about this book. Just go read it because it's short and it's worth your time.
Stop arguing with me.
September 23, 2012
This is such a short novella that it reads almost like a script to the movie Wristcutters: A Love Story. There's a lot very similar, which makes the movie a true adaptation. At the same time, the movie offers a bit of extra details that aren't included in the novel. Hollywood classically tacked on a happy ending to the movie while the book's ending is truer to the point of the book: the pointlessness of Mordy's hell and how the things you want only happen after they are no longer important.
July 29, 2018
I saw the movie first and was curious when I realized it was based on a book.
I like the sort of disjointed, clipped way of storytelling the author has
I like the sort of disjointed, clipped way of storytelling the author has
February 10, 2020
tutto molto bizzarro e per questo ci è piaciuto.
November 14, 2019
Bő harminc percnyi olvasmány. Könyvnek rövid, ellenben viccnek kicsit hosszú. Etgar Keret egy olyan túlvilágot talál fel, ahová az öngyilkosok kerülnek, és ami meglehetősen sok hasonlóságot mutat azzal, ahonnan az öngyilkosok jönnek. Ez idáig egész szellemes, csak épp lövésem sincs, mit akar az író azon túl, hogy élcelődik egy jóízűt az öngyilkosságokon – mondjuk az arab merénylők további sorsán, vagy az általa kreált rendkívül fárasztó Kurt Cobain-alteregón. Nem mondom, hogy elfecsérelt idő (egy fél órája azért mindig akad az embernek), mert szórakoztató a maga módján – csak hát ennél bőven lehetett volna többet is beletenni. Így viszont a kötet intellektuális értelemben a közepes szóviccek szintjén áll – azon a szinten, ahol az író nevéből faragott szóviccek is találhatóak. Amelyeket igyekszem nem elsütni.
March 15, 2021
A lovely classic of a book, after which the movie 'Wristcutters: A Love Story" has been made. Only after re-watching the movie for the second or third time I finally managed to read the book as well and I loved it.
It all feels surreal in a realistic way (if that makes sense), and I mean that in the brilliant, dark humor way that the afterlife (or Purgatory) gets portrayed, as a smaller version of Earthly life where everything is roughly the same only slightly worse. As an Eastern European, this felt hauntingly close to life under the Communist regime, or immediately after its fall, actually :).
It also made a lot of sense for the movie to get tied to the Gogol Bordello sound and cult icon, as well as for other cult musical figures to make an appearance (you know who I'm talking about if you've seen it). Even if these particular musical icons don't get referenced in the book, the feel of it and the atmospheric quality built into the prose are very much attuned to that particular flavor of music. <3
Overall, the book is even better than the movie, which is of course not surprising since that's the way these things usually swing. Bottom line: 10/10 would recommend (for both the movie and the book, since the two are also pretty different, story-wise, since a lot of adapting took place).
It all feels surreal in a realistic way (if that makes sense), and I mean that in the brilliant, dark humor way that the afterlife (or Purgatory) gets portrayed, as a smaller version of Earthly life where everything is roughly the same only slightly worse. As an Eastern European, this felt hauntingly close to life under the Communist regime, or immediately after its fall, actually :).
It also made a lot of sense for the movie to get tied to the Gogol Bordello sound and cult icon, as well as for other cult musical figures to make an appearance (you know who I'm talking about if you've seen it). Even if these particular musical icons don't get referenced in the book, the feel of it and the atmospheric quality built into the prose are very much attuned to that particular flavor of music. <3
Overall, the book is even better than the movie, which is of course not surprising since that's the way these things usually swing. Bottom line: 10/10 would recommend (for both the movie and the book, since the two are also pretty different, story-wise, since a lot of adapting took place).
November 27, 2017
August 2017: I also read the French translation. What else could I find? :) I am now also in possession of the original Hebrew, but cannot say I could understand it. :D
**
LE
I wanted to read the graphic novel based on this book by Keret, but when I went to the library I realized I had ordered the German translation and I read it. I also enjoyed it!
I was a little confused by the changing of the names and now I am looking forward to the sunny day when I am going to be able to read this book in Hebrew and see which translation was... right! :)
***
I am not sure I understood a thing, but I liked this book nevertheless! :)
**
LE
I wanted to read the graphic novel based on this book by Keret, but when I went to the library I realized I had ordered the German translation and I read it. I also enjoyed it!
I was a little confused by the changing of the names and now I am looking forward to the sunny day when I am going to be able to read this book in Hebrew and see which translation was... right! :)
***
I am not sure I understood a thing, but I liked this book nevertheless! :)
January 14, 2019
Keret's whimsical, deadpan style really appeals to me, but this novella, while quirky and filled with his trademark irreverent black humour, didn't work as well for me as his short stories (and non-fiction, but is different in feel to his fiction) I kept feeling that it needed to be either shorter or a lot longer. Still, an interesting read.
February 23, 2022
'You got a clue where you're going?'
'You haven't been here long, I guess,' Uzi laughed.
'Why's that?' she asked, kinda pissed off.
''Cause otherwise you'd've figured out by now that nobody here has a clue. Maybe if we did, we wouldn't be here in the first place.'
Ο λατρεμενος μου Κερετ σε αυτο το βιβλιο δινει τα ρεστα του για ακομη μια φορα, σε μια ιστορία που (Τομ) Ρομπιν-ιζει.. Καποια πολυ σοβαρα και σημαντικα, υπαρξιακα θεματα θιγονται μεσα από μια ιστορια τελειως σουρεαλ και σε σημεια ξεκαρδιστικη.
Υπαρχει λοιπον ενα μερος στο οποιο καταληγουν οσοι αυτοκτονουν. Εκει τα πραγματα μοιαζουν με την κανονικοτητα αλλα φυσικα με καποιες πινελιες παρανοιας. Ο πρωταγωνιστης ψαχνει αυτην που τον εσπρωξε στην αυτοχειρια, στη πορεια βρισκει καποιους φοβερους τυπους, μια κοπελα που κανει ωτοστοπ και ψαχνει τον υπευθυνο για να του ζητησει τα ρεστα για το λογο που κατεληξε εκει.. Με μια λεξη, υπεροχο..
'You haven't been here long, I guess,' Uzi laughed.
'Why's that?' she asked, kinda pissed off.
''Cause otherwise you'd've figured out by now that nobody here has a clue. Maybe if we did, we wouldn't be here in the first place.'
Ο λατρεμενος μου Κερετ σε αυτο το βιβλιο δινει τα ρεστα του για ακομη μια φορα, σε μια ιστορία που (Τομ) Ρομπιν-ιζει.. Καποια πολυ σοβαρα και σημαντικα, υπαρξιακα θεματα θιγονται μεσα από μια ιστορια τελειως σουρεαλ και σε σημεια ξεκαρδιστικη.
Υπαρχει λοιπον ενα μερος στο οποιο καταληγουν οσοι αυτοκτονουν. Εκει τα πραγματα μοιαζουν με την κανονικοτητα αλλα φυσικα με καποιες πινελιες παρανοιας. Ο πρωταγωνιστης ψαχνει αυτην που τον εσπρωξε στην αυτοχειρια, στη πορεια βρισκει καποιους φοβερους τυπους, μια κοπελα που κανει ωτοστοπ και ψαχνει τον υπευθυνο για να του ζητησει τα ρεστα για το λογο που κατεληξε εκει.. Με μια λεξη, υπεροχο..
March 21, 2018
An unintelligible but funny book:)
November 10, 2012
It’s very hard to put into words this incredibly odd story. It’s set in a world that’s just like ours, but is slightly worse and full of people who have commited suicide. People walk around with holes in their heads, gruesome scars along their neck and arms, and blue faces; all according to how they did it. It’s a very unique tale about Mordy, a man who killed himself after the breakup between him and his girlfriend Desiree. When he discovers that Desiree, too, has commited suicide and now resides within the same plain as him, he recruits his only friend Uzi to go on an adventure to find her. Along the way they pick up a hitchhiker named Leehee who’s searching for the “People In Charge.” With Leehee and Uzi behind him, Mordy finds that even in the dreary afterlife there’s still a chance for happiness.
The overall mood of the book is dark and moody, the comedy very morbid and dry, but still as funny as slapstick. It brings a unique perspective to the idea of life and the meaning of it, even for those who aren’t alive any more.
Mordy is a very relatable character, speaking just like someone you’d meet off the street with a very twisted sense of humor about the situation. He’s a fairly miserable guy, but hopes for happiness and love even when the opposite stares him in the face and everyone tells him to give it up. Despite his flaws and his dismal demeanor, he’s everyone who has ever felt depressed or sad in life and embodies the hope for something better.
Kneller’s Happy Campers has been adapted into two other formats. One is a graphic novel titled Pizzeria Kamikaze (based on the fact Mordy works at a pizzeria of the same name in the novella) with illistrations by Asaf Hanuka. The second adaption is a movie, renamed Wristcutters: A Love Story which has been changed a lot from the book to fit American audiences (such as changing the main characters’ names). All versions of this novella are amazing, and I seriously recommend you check them ALL out!
The overall mood of the book is dark and moody, the comedy very morbid and dry, but still as funny as slapstick. It brings a unique perspective to the idea of life and the meaning of it, even for those who aren’t alive any more.
Mordy is a very relatable character, speaking just like someone you’d meet off the street with a very twisted sense of humor about the situation. He’s a fairly miserable guy, but hopes for happiness and love even when the opposite stares him in the face and everyone tells him to give it up. Despite his flaws and his dismal demeanor, he’s everyone who has ever felt depressed or sad in life and embodies the hope for something better.
Kneller’s Happy Campers has been adapted into two other formats. One is a graphic novel titled Pizzeria Kamikaze (based on the fact Mordy works at a pizzeria of the same name in the novella) with illistrations by Asaf Hanuka. The second adaption is a movie, renamed Wristcutters: A Love Story which has been changed a lot from the book to fit American audiences (such as changing the main characters’ names). All versions of this novella are amazing, and I seriously recommend you check them ALL out!
October 22, 2011
http://zimlicious.blogspot.com/
The blurb of the book really does explain what it is: "a strange, dark but funny tale." A love story, in essence, but there's a lot more than that in it. Mordy, after killing himself, find himself in the afterlife world, which really is a lot like ours. The difference is that people walk around baring the wounds of how they killed themselves, bullet holes in their bodies and such. At the bar he discovers, Mordy meets Uzi and they become friends. And then, when Mordy finds out the love of his life - or so he thinks - killed herself and ended up in the same world as his, he and Uzi go on a road trip to find her. That's also where they meet Keller.
I honestly don't want to go into too much detail because it's such a tiny book that I feel like I'll spoil a lot if I say more. In every chapter, which aren't more than four pages tops, Mordy finds himself in a different "pickle," if I may. His adventures are fun, especially his friend Uzi, but sometimes you feel weird for finding it funny because, you know, they killed themselves. Here, everyone wants to know what you know for a living, but in that world, they want to know how you did it. There are all sorts of people who did it in different ways, and some of them take it way too personally if asked how. Remind you of anybody? Exactly.
What I got from this book is "miracles happen when you least expect them," and I love it. Also, my sister has told me the movie Wristcutters was based on this book. I'll have to watch that again because it's been a long time since I did, and I can't honestly say I remember much of it. This was my first time reading an Edgar Keret book, and I definitely would like to read more of his work.
The blurb of the book really does explain what it is: "a strange, dark but funny tale." A love story, in essence, but there's a lot more than that in it. Mordy, after killing himself, find himself in the afterlife world, which really is a lot like ours. The difference is that people walk around baring the wounds of how they killed themselves, bullet holes in their bodies and such. At the bar he discovers, Mordy meets Uzi and they become friends. And then, when Mordy finds out the love of his life - or so he thinks - killed herself and ended up in the same world as his, he and Uzi go on a road trip to find her. That's also where they meet Keller.
I honestly don't want to go into too much detail because it's such a tiny book that I feel like I'll spoil a lot if I say more. In every chapter, which aren't more than four pages tops, Mordy finds himself in a different "pickle," if I may. His adventures are fun, especially his friend Uzi, but sometimes you feel weird for finding it funny because, you know, they killed themselves. Here, everyone wants to know what you know for a living, but in that world, they want to know how you did it. There are all sorts of people who did it in different ways, and some of them take it way too personally if asked how. Remind you of anybody? Exactly.
What I got from this book is "miracles happen when you least expect them," and I love it. Also, my sister has told me the movie Wristcutters was based on this book. I'll have to watch that again because it's been a long time since I did, and I can't honestly say I remember much of it. This was my first time reading an Edgar Keret book, and I definitely would like to read more of his work.
July 30, 2013
This is the third of Keret's books that I've read, and every time I start one, I don't know know how the chaos of the first pages will ever resolve by the end of his characteristically short tales. But every time I turn the last page, they seem to make it, scraping in under some chain-link gate, closing on a strip mall comic book storefront as the caffeinated characters dance like extinguishing florescent bulbs inside. I enjoy every word he writes. After I read a sentence, it seems like it should have done nothing at all, but it has already started to churn some butter in my head.
October 18, 2014
Beautiful. I've wanted to read this book for years, ever since I saw the film it inspired: 'Wristcutters: A Love Story', which is one of my absolute favorites. There's definitely some key differences between the book and the film; I liked several elements of the film better. What I'm really torn on is the ending; at first I was really mad that it differed from the film's beautiful conclusion, but after letting it digest for a while, I actually think it's kind of perfect.
January 28, 2015
Racconti, qualcuno breve, qualcun altro molto breve.
Tutti abbozzi di... un mondo parallelo appena fuori dalla porta di casa. E del cuore.
December 1, 2019
Bookends on twitter made a TBR challenge, as in a 31 days challenge to finish stuff on out TBR instead of reading newly published ones. *eyes my shelves in distaste* what was I thinking when I bought all of these???? I'm not allowing myself from going to that BBW sale unless I finished at least the Indonesian books from last September.
Ok. Regarding this book. I've no idea when or why I wanted to read this. It's just there, I guess and I enjoyed nothing. That's probably too harsh. That bit about nynpho virgins for Muslim shahids was arguably funny-ish. And I'll probably try and make moussaka because of this book. To those who's curious, moussaka is basically eggplant lasagna.
Ok. Regarding this book. I've no idea when or why I wanted to read this. It's just there, I guess and I enjoyed nothing. That's probably too harsh. That bit about nynpho virgins for Muslim shahids was arguably funny-ish. And I'll probably try and make moussaka because of this book. To those who's curious, moussaka is basically eggplant lasagna.
March 29, 2022
Kereta su mi i ranije preporučivali i ovo je sad moj prvi susret sa njim.
Sve samoubice odlaze u poseban zagrobni život. Zapravo, okruženje i sve ostalo je poprilično slično svetu, koji su napustili. Jedino što svako na sebi nosi tragove, koji ukazuju na koji se način samoubio. Glavni lik, pokušava da pronađe devojku koju je voleo dok je bio živ, a koja se ubila nakon njegove smrti. Zanimljivo i poprilično duhovito…
Sve samoubice odlaze u poseban zagrobni život. Zapravo, okruženje i sve ostalo je poprilično slično svetu, koji su napustili. Jedino što svako na sebi nosi tragove, koji ukazuju na koji se način samoubio. Glavni lik, pokušava da pronađe devojku koju je voleo dok je bio živ, a koja se ubila nakon njegove smrti. Zanimljivo i poprilično duhovito…
November 9, 2024
זה היה מפוזר מדי ומוזר מדי
October 18, 2019
Great angle, it amused me and made me want to keep reading. Great choice by one of our bookclubmembers, curious to see what the others will think of it!
February 21, 2015
At only 86 pages, I’m not sure what to call this book – a short novella? A long short story. Either way, it doesn’t matter. I call it good reading -- an extremely enjoyable and memorable read from beginning to end.
Basically, it’s a dark and kind of magical picaresque story in which we follow roommates Mordy (our hero and narrator) and his rambunctious German friend Uzi on their journey through an unnamed alternate “unreality” populated entirely by suicide victims on a seemingly hopeless quest to find Mordy’s girlfriend from the real world who, rumor has it, has just offed herself as well.
Told in a series of remarkably effective yet spare slice-of-life -- or beter yet slice-of-death – vignettes, Etgar Keret weaves a clever and darkly wonderful and thoughtful story.
My only hang-up, I guess, is the term “Juliet,” which is used in the book to describe anyone who kills himself with pills or poison and manages to get there “with no scars.” I’m not sure if this is a mistake on the author’s part, the narrator’s part or if either are being ironic, but it’s kind of a big mistake.
Assuming Juliet refers to the better half of that most famous suicide couple from Shakespeare, then the term doesn’t make sense. Romeo is the one who drinks poison. Juliet tries to but, with no poison left, she ends up stabbing herself, I’m sure leaving a major scar. Maybe “Juliets” should’ve been called “Romeos” or, perhaps, “Sylvias” after Sylvia Plath who stuck her head in the oven.
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter. I really like the book and I look forward to reading more stories by this author.
Basically, it’s a dark and kind of magical picaresque story in which we follow roommates Mordy (our hero and narrator) and his rambunctious German friend Uzi on their journey through an unnamed alternate “unreality” populated entirely by suicide victims on a seemingly hopeless quest to find Mordy’s girlfriend from the real world who, rumor has it, has just offed herself as well.
Told in a series of remarkably effective yet spare slice-of-life -- or beter yet slice-of-death – vignettes, Etgar Keret weaves a clever and darkly wonderful and thoughtful story.
My only hang-up, I guess, is the term “Juliet,” which is used in the book to describe anyone who kills himself with pills or poison and manages to get there “with no scars.” I’m not sure if this is a mistake on the author’s part, the narrator’s part or if either are being ironic, but it’s kind of a big mistake.
Assuming Juliet refers to the better half of that most famous suicide couple from Shakespeare, then the term doesn’t make sense. Romeo is the one who drinks poison. Juliet tries to but, with no poison left, she ends up stabbing herself, I’m sure leaving a major scar. Maybe “Juliets” should’ve been called “Romeos” or, perhaps, “Sylvias” after Sylvia Plath who stuck her head in the oven.
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter. I really like the book and I look forward to reading more stories by this author.
August 22, 2014
A couple of years ago after I broke up with my girlfriend of 3 years I watched the movie Wristcutters. And I absolutely loved the vibe it captures because it displays the familiar feeling of stasis and absurdity present in my own world. As a matter of fact, after we broke up, I started working at pizza place and taking long walks around my lower middle class suburban town. On these walks you'd see tons of people driving past in their cars, but on the sidewalks and parks nary a soul under the age of 60. I loved the concept of the afterlife in Wristcutters: "Everything's the same here, just a bit worse". There are no useless miracles in my world. And two years later, the more things have changed, the more they've stayed the same.
A little while ago I was astonished to find out Wristcutters is based on a novella by an Israeli writer by the name of Etgar Keret. So, without any further ado, off I go. I've never read a book by an Israeli writer so I didn't know what to expect.
Keret uses casual language to convey the story, complete with esoteric slang, and sometimes awkward wording/grammar usage. The story, and a lot of the dialogue, is pretty much verbatim in Wristcutters, which I found odd. There's some differences, most notably, the dearth of pointless miracles that I really enjoyed from the book.
The novella is 100 pages broken up into 25 or 26 chapters so it moves really fast. Overall, I liked it, but found it to be a bit terse. Highly recommend to fans of the movie, though!
A little while ago I was astonished to find out Wristcutters is based on a novella by an Israeli writer by the name of Etgar Keret. So, without any further ado, off I go. I've never read a book by an Israeli writer so I didn't know what to expect.
Keret uses casual language to convey the story, complete with esoteric slang, and sometimes awkward wording/grammar usage. The story, and a lot of the dialogue, is pretty much verbatim in Wristcutters, which I found odd. There's some differences, most notably, the dearth of pointless miracles that I really enjoyed from the book.
The novella is 100 pages broken up into 25 or 26 chapters so it moves really fast. Overall, I liked it, but found it to be a bit terse. Highly recommend to fans of the movie, though!
November 23, 2011
Etgar Keret impresses with a novella that shows his continuing growth as a writer and a imaginative force. The book slips in a few cliches now and again and even with suspension of disbelief there are a few odd bits and ends that don't quite add up, but these are like specks here and there in what is otherwise an intriguing and genuinely moving story.
Keret deals with a difficult (to put it as lightly as possible) subject, suicide, in a casual, almost nonchalant way but somehow still manages to be sympathetic and even warm. His story seems well aware of itself and can almost be read straddling the line between story as story and story as self aware observation on writing. I wouldn't go so far as to label this work post modern (the cliches and story developments mentioned don't seem quite THAT self aware) but Keret is without a doubt a writer's writer who doesn't just know his craft but is seeking to better it through tough substantive and stylistic challenges (the former more than the latter though the length of the story and Keret's short story formatting in general can be taken as evidence for the latter).
I read this book in basically one sitting. This wasn't because it was short but rather because it kind of demanded to be finished. Another great read by an always engaging writer who has yet to disappoint.
Keret deals with a difficult (to put it as lightly as possible) subject, suicide, in a casual, almost nonchalant way but somehow still manages to be sympathetic and even warm. His story seems well aware of itself and can almost be read straddling the line between story as story and story as self aware observation on writing. I wouldn't go so far as to label this work post modern (the cliches and story developments mentioned don't seem quite THAT self aware) but Keret is without a doubt a writer's writer who doesn't just know his craft but is seeking to better it through tough substantive and stylistic challenges (the former more than the latter though the length of the story and Keret's short story formatting in general can be taken as evidence for the latter).
I read this book in basically one sitting. This wasn't because it was short but rather because it kind of demanded to be finished. Another great read by an always engaging writer who has yet to disappoint.
July 15, 2012
It's extremely difficult to make suicide heartwarming, but Keret manages it. For anyone who enjoyed 'Wristcutters', rest assured that the story that inspired the film is just as enjoyable. Where the film gives more of an overview of the story, 'Kneller's Happy Campers' is straight from Mordy's point of view. (Oh, and all the names are different to the film.)
I am reluctant to give much away, as it is very short. I will say that I loved the Chapter titles. They foreshadow what will happen, but don't give away too much. I felt they added a little touch of familiarity between author and reader, which fits in well with the themes of love and friendship in this book.
A common criticism of short stories is that characterisation can feel sub-par. However the characters that Mordy meets are so bizarre, that you can't help but imagine they exist. Keret doesn't tell us everything about everyone, though somehow the information he gives us is enough. His characterisation does not feel shallow.
Overall, there is something so odd about this little book, I can't place my finger on it. It has this strange energy to it. If you enjoy short stories or odd books then certainly check this one out. As previously mentioned, it is short, so it doesn't keep you for long. Although, the story will certainly stay with you. You'll find yourself thinking about all kinds of existential things.
I am reluctant to give much away, as it is very short. I will say that I loved the Chapter titles. They foreshadow what will happen, but don't give away too much. I felt they added a little touch of familiarity between author and reader, which fits in well with the themes of love and friendship in this book.
A common criticism of short stories is that characterisation can feel sub-par. However the characters that Mordy meets are so bizarre, that you can't help but imagine they exist. Keret doesn't tell us everything about everyone, though somehow the information he gives us is enough. His characterisation does not feel shallow.
Overall, there is something so odd about this little book, I can't place my finger on it. It has this strange energy to it. If you enjoy short stories or odd books then certainly check this one out. As previously mentioned, it is short, so it doesn't keep you for long. Although, the story will certainly stay with you. You'll find yourself thinking about all kinds of existential things.
November 20, 2015
(no spoilers) You'd think with less than a hundred pages it'd be difficult to get attached to these characters, but it's not. Heck, I feel like I have a better friendship with them than I do people I've known my whole life. I watched the film version (Wristcutters: A Love Story) before I read this and I loved it, the only reason I knew this book existed was because I saw it on the credits.
And I'm going to do the unthinkable, I think I prefer the film but only in this sense... I prefer the ending. And it sounds sappy cos hey, life is tough. Mordy killed himself, he knew what he was getting into (not a spoiler fyi) but there's something about the film that makes me feel elevated, reminds me of my love for life. But hey it's a book about suicides, I knew that from the start that's what we're all here for. Anyway I highly recommend reading this first because it's special, nothing can replace the tone of this story. And I guess it does end with a little inkling of hopefulness, it's not such a downer in the end.
And I'm going to do the unthinkable, I think I prefer the film but only in this sense... I prefer the ending. And it sounds sappy cos hey, life is tough. Mordy killed himself, he knew what he was getting into (not a spoiler fyi) but there's something about the film that makes me feel elevated, reminds me of my love for life. But hey it's a book about suicides, I knew that from the start that's what we're all here for. Anyway I highly recommend reading this first because it's special, nothing can replace the tone of this story. And I guess it does end with a little inkling of hopefulness, it's not such a downer in the end.
October 30, 2013
I heard that Etgar Keret is the hippest writer of modern Israel and a voice of a generation. I also read a 6 page interview with him on Rigas Laiks finding myself hooked enough to search for some of his work.
So I read this little story. It reads fast. The language is simple and sometimes I had a feeling that it is too simple. Like something I could be able to write or I think I could be able to write, so he gained some sympathy points immediately and all my attention.
The issues addressed seemed to be simple too and maybe even too simple. Like something I could relate to and understand so I didn't feel all messed up or lost in the end of the story. I felt good about myself and a little caught in thoughts about the world around me. So I guess it must be a good story if it can do such things...
So I read this little story. It reads fast. The language is simple and sometimes I had a feeling that it is too simple. Like something I could be able to write or I think I could be able to write, so he gained some sympathy points immediately and all my attention.
The issues addressed seemed to be simple too and maybe even too simple. Like something I could relate to and understand so I didn't feel all messed up or lost in the end of the story. I felt good about myself and a little caught in thoughts about the world around me. So I guess it must be a good story if it can do such things...
November 10, 2013
I'm pretty surprised how true the movie was to the book. Nonetheless, it was still a great little read. The names were different and a few elements were changed, but the same dark humour that I love so much about Wristcutters: A Love Story was prevalent in this book, the movie's inspiration.
I'll have to admit that the ending took me by surprise, though. It's not entirely unpleasant, but it's definitely bitter-sweet.
This would have been a great novel, but it works lovely as a novella as well. The chapters felt like journal entries spanned across weeks and months of Mordy's afterlife. Maybe I'm biased because of having seen the movie first, but the characters still left an impact despite the short nature of this book.
I definitely recommend both the book and the movie to everyone.
I'll have to admit that the ending took me by surprise, though. It's not entirely unpleasant, but it's definitely bitter-sweet.
This would have been a great novel, but it works lovely as a novella as well. The chapters felt like journal entries spanned across weeks and months of Mordy's afterlife. Maybe I'm biased because of having seen the movie first, but the characters still left an impact despite the short nature of this book.
I definitely recommend both the book and the movie to everyone.
August 24, 2014
The book begins strong but the middle and end of the narrative didn't have enough steam. The climax was anticlimatic and was entirely lackluster in its prose. I was thrilled when I first picked it up but the book ultimately left me disappointed. I've read a few of Keret's short(er) fiction and loved it -- I think this work got caught in an uncomfortable middle between short fiction and novel. Had it been either longer or condensed, I think it could have been great.
November 19, 2010
Un paio di racconti surreali e feroci promettono bene.....ma poi...si perde.....
Alla fine non convince, quasi delude.
Alla fine non convince, quasi delude.
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