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annick's review against another edition
Return to library. Doubt till revisit this soon.
emr158's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
amerynth's review against another edition
2.0
It was hard to pick a rating for Jaroslav Hasek's novel "The Good Soldier Svejk." I liked the concept of the book much more than its actual execution -- it quickly got too repetitive and even the amusing bits didn't really sing anymore.
The book follows Svejk, who is either an idiot or very good at playing one -- as he becomes a Czech soldier during World War I. There are about a zillion different Svejk antics in the book, that mostly end up the same way-- he nearly gets, jailed, committed or executed but someone believes he is just too dumb for words and therefore he is saved. Onto the next antic...
Hasek's point about the futility of war is amply illustrated and there is a good bit of humor in the story. Had it been given a good edit for length and content, I probably would have enjoyed it more.
The book follows Svejk, who is either an idiot or very good at playing one -- as he becomes a Czech soldier during World War I. There are about a zillion different Svejk antics in the book, that mostly end up the same way-- he nearly gets, jailed, committed or executed but someone believes he is just too dumb for words and therefore he is saved. Onto the next antic...
Hasek's point about the futility of war is amply illustrated and there is a good bit of humor in the story. Had it been given a good edit for length and content, I probably would have enjoyed it more.
eriklentz's review against another edition
5.0
A cross between something like Don Quixote and M*A*S*H. Following a determined fool navigate a messy and ludicrously incompetent military bureaucracy.
xider's review against another edition
3.0
Sometimes really funny, sometimes extremely boring, but definitely an insightful read into the behaviour and thinking of the people at war.
brattyjedi's review against another edition
3.0
There are some thought-provoking moments, some absolutely hilarious moments, and some that are both. Unfortunately the book just keeps going and going before abruptly ending unfinished due to the author's death. Even if it had been finished, I think the whole would have always been less than the sum of the parts. Reading a few excerpted episodes is all anyone should ever really need of this.
jonagnar73's review against another edition
5.0
Absolute genius, period. So good I actually look forward to reading it again before too long.
cthonautical's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
miker1964's review against another edition
5.0
Made me laugh out loud on several occasions. Very funny, hugely irreverent and a joy to read.