Not Hoeg at his Best
It would be natural for anyone who read Smilla’s Sense of Snow to expect great things from Peter Hoeg. Although I looked forward to re-experiencing his writing magic, I found his latest book, The Quiet Girl, very disappointing. Despite the right ingredients of “unforgettable” characters, mysticism, and mystery, Hoeg’s rambling tome fell off the tracks early in the story and never quite got back on again. Although the endless juxtapositioning of time was disconcerting at first, it was aggravating and confusing well before the middle of the 408-page tome. As all bibliophiles know, even the best writers will crank out a stinker now and then. If nothing else, Hoeg’s latest novel proves this axiom.
Rated of 5
by Diane (Ocheyedan IA)
The Quiet Girl
As expected with a Peter Hoeg book, the story line is complex and unusual. Normally, I enjoy the quirky and unexpected, but this was just too strange and didn't draw me in at all. The constant jumping between present and past; the use of musical references to describe characters and set tone (which really would only work if one were familiar with all the pieces referenced); and the fact that at times it felt somewhat like an improbable superheroes adventure, made it a struggle for me to finish the book. I would classify this as disappointing.
Rated of 5
by Kathryn (Oceanside CA)
A Tough Read
Peter Hoeg's much anticipated fifth novel, The Quiet Girl, was an introduction for me to the author. Unlike many books translated into English, this one seemed to lose clarity in the transition. Although the plot was intriguing, the writers rather quirky writing style and the lack of standard English grammar was distracting to me. It was a tough read to finish. Hoeg fans may celebrate The Quiet Girl. I'm ready to move on to a new author.
Rated of 5
by Roni (Pittsburgh PA)
The Sounds of Silence
Ten years ago, Smilla’s Sense of Snow, another book by Peter Hoeg was one of my favorite books. I am very disappointed with The Quiet Girl. Kasper, the main character, is a retired world-renowned circus clown. Kasper is a “super hero.” He has the mystical ability to hear the musical resonance of people and objects. Kasper can hear silence. He is searching for a missing young girl who shares the same mystical ability.
The Quiet Girl is a mixture of mystery and fantasy. I appreciated the philosophical undertones. The book is disjointed often changing between past and present. Had this been a library book I would not have finished it. Smilla’s Sense of Snow was made into a movie. I believe that The Quiet Girl was written with that in mind.
Rated of 5
by Francine (chantilly VA)
the quiet girl
Seldom have I had to struggle to read a book. While parts of the story were somewhat interesting and the characters unique, it just did not come together for me. It seemed disconnected and sometimes I felt like I was in the "twilight zone." However, maybe that was the intention of the author. I would NEVER NOT recommend a book to anybody because we all have different tastes.
Rated of 5
by Dorian (Bainbridge NY)
Lost in translation
As a musician I had great hopes for this book, and especially for the main character. There were moments of real insight, but I felt that the plot was very difficult to follow. After a while I just wanted to get to the end, not to find out what happens, but to just finish! Not one of Peter Hoeg's best efforts.
Rated of 5
by Heather (Brooklyn NY)
Ambitious, but unsatisfying
Ahh, this was a baffling and disappointing novel. Reading it reminded me of James Joyce's Ulysses (and I loath James Joyce). The main character, Kasper Krone, debt-ridden Danish celebrity clown, is clever, physically adept, and blessed (or cursed) with extraordinary hearing. But he is not endearing, and with his fits of violence, particularly toward the woman he allegedly loves, is not even particularly likable. The mysterious children are shadowed figures and mostly unnamed, save for the oddly self-possessed KlaraMaria. Classical music, especially works by Bach, are endlessly referenced in the novel, and I had the sense that Hoeg wrote the novel -- or composed it -- the same way a composer would write a score of music. It does have a lyrical sense to it. But if I had to describe the novel in three words, I'd say: Ambitious, but unsatisfying.
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British Parliament asks Amazon to clarify why it pays $9 million in income tax on $23 billion of UK sales.(May 20 2013) Amazon will be called back to give further evidence to members of the British Parliament "to clarify how its activities in the U.K. justify its low corporate...
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by David (Glendale CA)
of 5
by Dorian (Bainbridge NY)
