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meginsanity's review against another edition
3.0
This book of stories, entwined into a narrative about a lonely, disabled man, was interesting, but I felt as though it was missing something. The stories are strange and sometimes dark, which is often reflected by Bambert's thoughts about why he chose to end some stories the way he did. Bambert thinks a lot about his stories, imparting to the reader lessons about the importance of setting and profound thoughts about war, love and death. Unfortunately, in the end, it just didn't grab me.
gibbierish's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
beccabeccalee's review against another edition
5.0
Like many of my favorite books, I found this by accident. My son was in the middle of pulling books off the shelves as I scoured the children's section for the right Dianna Wynne Jones book (they were all checked out). When I went to put the books back on the shelves, I found this among them. I think it was the muted, fanciful illustrations that caught my eye. Before I knew it, I was flipping through the two-page spreads and wondering what the book could be about. On impulse, I laid it on the stack of check-outs and brought it home.
The book begins with Bambert, a solitary man who suffers from dwarfism and lives in an apartment above a shop. His parents are both dead, and his impairment leaves him without much will or ability to leave his attic bedroom. He spends his time reading and concocting stories, and this proves a lonely comfort.
One day, in a poetic fit, he goes through his cache of stories and removes all mention of time and place from them. They must find their own settings, he says. He attaches each one to a balloon and releases them through his attic window. Each has a note of instruction: to send the story back with the name of the place where it was found.
At first, Bambert thinks his experiment has failed. Days and weeks pass and not a single story makes its way back to his tiny apartment. Then one day, along with his morning meal, the shopkeeper sends a sealed envelope upstairs on the dumb waiter. It's one of Bambert's stories, back from across the sea.
One by one, the stories return: from Russia, England, Beirut, Spain. Each story is distinct, though they bear the marks of the same melancholy world. There is sadness in them, cruelty, compassion, even love, and Bambert remarks on each one as they return to him.
Eventually, all that's left is Bambert's final story. But this one is nothing but four blank pages, sent into the world to write themselves.
Jung is an obvious craftsman, and these stories fall like carved gems, small and inviting, each one a different cut of the same stone. These are distilled stories, with barely more than a single rise and fall per tale. There's also a sophisticated pathos in this collection that somehow never dips into pity, despite Bambert's deteriorating health and wandering hopes. In sum, poetry.
The book begins with Bambert, a solitary man who suffers from dwarfism and lives in an apartment above a shop. His parents are both dead, and his impairment leaves him without much will or ability to leave his attic bedroom. He spends his time reading and concocting stories, and this proves a lonely comfort.
One day, in a poetic fit, he goes through his cache of stories and removes all mention of time and place from them. They must find their own settings, he says. He attaches each one to a balloon and releases them through his attic window. Each has a note of instruction: to send the story back with the name of the place where it was found.
At first, Bambert thinks his experiment has failed. Days and weeks pass and not a single story makes its way back to his tiny apartment. Then one day, along with his morning meal, the shopkeeper sends a sealed envelope upstairs on the dumb waiter. It's one of Bambert's stories, back from across the sea.
One by one, the stories return: from Russia, England, Beirut, Spain. Each story is distinct, though they bear the marks of the same melancholy world. There is sadness in them, cruelty, compassion, even love, and Bambert remarks on each one as they return to him.
Eventually, all that's left is Bambert's final story. But this one is nothing but four blank pages, sent into the world to write themselves.
Jung is an obvious craftsman, and these stories fall like carved gems, small and inviting, each one a different cut of the same stone. These are distilled stories, with barely more than a single rise and fall per tale. There's also a sophisticated pathos in this collection that somehow never dips into pity, despite Bambert's deteriorating health and wandering hopes. In sum, poetry.
aruaxe's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
gracietemplet's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
indiablue's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ettegoom's review against another edition
2.0
This is a good idea, and there were some prettily written tales in the book. There were some interesting ideas expressed in several of them, and I particularly liked Frozen in Time, the Waxwork Museum, the Strange Game and the Princess of Cordoba.
The relationship between Bambert and Mr Bloom was interesting and very lovely, something that is missing in the world today and a theme of value. There were some other interesting themes raised by the stories also.
But I am still a little ambivalent about the book in general.
The relationship between Bambert and Mr Bloom was interesting and very lovely, something that is missing in the world today and a theme of value. There were some other interesting themes raised by the stories also.
But I am still a little ambivalent about the book in general.
lucy_p's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
beereads88's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
jcstokes95's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
Perfect for sad German children and probably you also. If I had to sum this up in one word it would be melancholy, but like, the kind of melancholy Kate Dicamillo talks about in Because of Winn-Dixie being sweet, sour and sad all together. Bambert's fables teach the kinds of lessons all kids should learn. And the understated, caring relationship between Bambert and Mr. Bloom was incredible; it just felt like this book is written with so much love in it. I could see this as an incredible bedtime book; it's so warm and comfy but also heartbreaking and thought-provoking. For older folks reading, Bambert and Bloom are also teaching us how to think about being chronically ill, the power of sharing art and creating. I don't think anything here is necessarily groundbreaking or exquisitely crafted but it's charm level is off the charts.