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A review by davinareads
We, the Drowned by Carsten Jensen
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Finishing We, the Drowned felt like coming ashore after an epic, unforgettable journey. This book takes you on a whirlwind of sea adventures, spanning three generations of sailors and it was a story that is like no other. It was brutal hardship after brutal hardship starting from the early 1848s in Marstal, Denmark to the end of WWII.
The way Carsten Jensen writes, it's like each chapter is its own short story, yet they all come together to form this grand, cohesive narrative. Just when I thought things might slow down, the pace picked right back up, keeping me hooked and I found myself seasawing from a 4 star rating to a 5. Ultimately, I settled for a 4.5 star rating.
Describing why I loved this book is a bit tricky. It was more of an experience than just a read—something that I think fellow readers will truly understand. The characters are lovable, and their stories are rich and full. We explored their childhoods - from the beatings the teachers gave to the antics they get to among friends - and followed them to adulthood where they meet challenges of dealing with hierarchy, power and the war. It was a perfectly balanced book with an addicted storyline.
This book is the definition of bittersweet. The journey through three generations of sailors is filled with highs and lows, triumphs and tragedies. It had a constant flow that was maintained throughout this 700 page book and I found it to be an impressive story. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and if you love a good sea adventure with depth and heart, We, the Drowned is a must-read.
The way Carsten Jensen writes, it's like each chapter is its own short story, yet they all come together to form this grand, cohesive narrative. Just when I thought things might slow down, the pace picked right back up, keeping me hooked and I found myself seasawing from a 4 star rating to a 5. Ultimately, I settled for a 4.5 star rating.
Describing why I loved this book is a bit tricky. It was more of an experience than just a read—something that I think fellow readers will truly understand. The characters are lovable, and their stories are rich and full. We explored their childhoods - from the beatings the teachers gave to the antics they get to among friends - and followed them to adulthood where they meet challenges of dealing with hierarchy, power and the war. It was a perfectly balanced book with an addicted storyline.
This book is the definition of bittersweet. The journey through three generations of sailors is filled with highs and lows, triumphs and tragedies. It had a constant flow that was maintained throughout this 700 page book and I found it to be an impressive story. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and if you love a good sea adventure with depth and heart, We, the Drowned is a must-read.