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'Write to me, Emmi. Writing is like kissing, but without lips. Writing is kissing with the mind.' It begins by chance: Leo receives emails in error from an unknown woman called Emmi. Being polite he replies, and Emmi writes back. A few brief exchanges are all it takes to spark a mutual interest in each other, and soon Emmi and Leo are sharing their innermost secrets and longings. The erotic tension simmers, and it seems only a matter of time before they will meet in person. But they keep show more putting off the moment - the prospect both excites and unsettles them. And after all, Emmi is happily married. Will their feelings for each other survive the test of a real-life encounter? And if so, what then? Love Virtually is a funny, fast-paced and utterly absorbing novel, with plenty of twists and turns, about a love affair conducted entirely by email. show lessTags
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From the back of the book: Leo receives emails in error from an unknown woman called Emmi. Being polite, he replies and Emmi writes back. A few brief exchanges are all it takes to spark a mutual interest, and soon Emmi and Leo are sharing their innermost secrets and desires. The erotic tension simmers, and it seems only a matter of time before they will meet in person. But they keep putting off the moment - the prospect both excites and unsettles them. And after all, Emmi is happily married. Will their feelings for each other survive the test of a real-life encounter?
I randomly requested this book from my swap site, Paperback Swap, and months later someone on Instagram recommended it to me. I show more actually forgot I owned this book (can you believe it) and was just recently asked again by the same IG user if I'd read it yet. When I thought about it, the title sounded familiar, and sure enough, it was sitting neglected on my shelf! I'm glad I picked up this book - it was a quick read and very engrossing.
Leo and Emmi are childish, stubborn, hypocritical and fantastically imperfect - they felt so real! Their correspondence started on accident and continued due to mutual curiosity, then deepened into something semi-inappropriate, due to Emmi's marriage. Emmi constantly mentions her happy marriage, yet expects Leo to dote on her. They will rapidly send one sentence emails to each other seconds after the latest response, then ignore each other for days. The whole situation felt very human and it posed a question (at least for me) about what is really considered cheating. Emmi and Leo plot ways to try to meet, though they always shy away - Emmi constantly talks about her marriage, but also seems to think of Leo daily. It's a mental relationship, but could it be harmful to her marriage? Glattauer made me feel for these characters - sometimes I was thinking about how frustrating they both were, other times I could really appreciate the connection they seemed to have. I was also desperate for them to meet, and yet, as Leo pointed out, it would completely change their relationship.
The ending of this book is FANTASTIC. I was shocked and couldn't be happier! I will say however, that years later Glattauer put out a sequel, Every Seventh Wave and right after I finished this I went on Amazon to read the synopsis and a couple of reviews. I wish I hadn't. Even just reading the plot of the second book ruined the magic of the first ending - I understand why he put out a sequel, but I think this first book would be stronger if left alone. From what other customer says, the second book isn't as strong as the first, and though it has good reviews, I won't be reading it. I enjoy where this book ended, and nothing against Glattauer's writing at all, I just want things to stay where they left off.
This book is short and well worth your time if you're looking for something contemporary. show less
From the back of the book: Leo receives emails in error from an unknown woman called Emmi. Being polite, he replies and Emmi writes back. A few brief exchanges are all it takes to spark a mutual interest, and soon Emmi and Leo are sharing their innermost secrets and desires. The erotic tension simmers, and it seems only a matter of time before they will meet in person. But they keep putting off the moment - the prospect both excites and unsettles them. And after all, Emmi is happily married. Will their feelings for each other survive the test of a real-life encounter?
I randomly requested this book from my swap site, Paperback Swap, and months later someone on Instagram recommended it to me. I show more actually forgot I owned this book (can you believe it) and was just recently asked again by the same IG user if I'd read it yet. When I thought about it, the title sounded familiar, and sure enough, it was sitting neglected on my shelf! I'm glad I picked up this book - it was a quick read and very engrossing.
Leo and Emmi are childish, stubborn, hypocritical and fantastically imperfect - they felt so real! Their correspondence started on accident and continued due to mutual curiosity, then deepened into something semi-inappropriate, due to Emmi's marriage. Emmi constantly mentions her happy marriage, yet expects Leo to dote on her. They will rapidly send one sentence emails to each other seconds after the latest response, then ignore each other for days. The whole situation felt very human and it posed a question (at least for me) about what is really considered cheating. Emmi and Leo plot ways to try to meet, though they always shy away - Emmi constantly talks about her marriage, but also seems to think of Leo daily. It's a mental relationship, but could it be harmful to her marriage? Glattauer made me feel for these characters - sometimes I was thinking about how frustrating they both were, other times I could really appreciate the connection they seemed to have. I was also desperate for them to meet, and yet, as Leo pointed out, it would completely change their relationship.
The ending of this book is FANTASTIC. I was shocked and couldn't be happier! I will say however, that years later Glattauer put out a sequel, Every Seventh Wave and right after I finished this I went on Amazon to read the synopsis and a couple of reviews. I wish I hadn't. Even just reading the plot of the second book ruined the magic of the first ending - I understand why he put out a sequel, but I think this first book would be stronger if left alone. From what other customer says, the second book isn't as strong as the first, and though it has good reviews, I won't be reading it. I enjoy where this book ended, and nothing against Glattauer's writing at all, I just want things to stay where they left off.
This book is short and well worth your time if you're looking for something contemporary. show less
Quarta o quinta volta che rileggo questo libro, ho perso il conto, ma di certo so che non sarà l’ultima.
Mi è piaciuto moltissimo, un racconto molto coinvolgente che ho riletto ancora una volta tutto d'un fiato.
Molto attuale, sia per il tema che per il modo in cui viene trattato e, in più, è anche una storia che, facilmente, potrebbe accadere nella realtà quotidiana di molte persone.
************
Amo troppo questo libro e continuerò a leggerlo ancora altre infinite volte!
Mi è piaciuto moltissimo, un racconto molto coinvolgente che ho riletto ancora una volta tutto d'un fiato.
Molto attuale, sia per il tema che per il modo in cui viene trattato e, in più, è anche una storia che, facilmente, potrebbe accadere nella realtà quotidiana di molte persone.
************
Amo troppo questo libro e continuerò a leggerlo ancora altre infinite volte!
(Still not published in English, read in Spanish)
After having read the earlier Glattauer's novel I had been anxiously waiting for its sequel.
I got it only yesterday, late in the evening.
I finished it today.
Beware, because once you enter Emmi and Leo's world you'll be completely hooked, you won't be able to put the book down.
This might be seen and even reviewed as a trivial, page-turner, modern epistolary love story. Only another of those fresh-and-easy-reading books to take away with you for a short holiday. Don't be fooled.
If you read between the lines, if you bother to look deeper, it can almost reach the level of pure philosophy. This story is about all of us. It COULD be any of us.
Emmi and Leo are two lost people who think they are show more contented with their lives until they "meet virtually" by accident. A silly mistake. The connection begins. Game is on.
Only through their mails we witness the full development of an intimate and complex relationship, we spy on two bare souls exposed to each other, their hidden wishes, their fears, their regrets, their dreams are shown to us without restraint. And I felt so identified with so many of their longings (...)
I'm still surfing on the seventh wave, in a sea full of illusion, ideals and "it's-not-impossible-to-have-it-alls".
Some great quotations from the book:
" Each syllable has your eyes in it"
"If you are sober, drink.
If you feel quiet, speak.
If you are bewildered, ask me.
That's why you've got your diary"
" Why I never let go of you? Because I can't lose and I don't want to. Because I don't want to lose you".
" There's some who live the lack of wind as an inner peace. There's some who live it as a perpetual paralysis".
"Until now, only with words, we have reached everywhere".
"Write to me, Emmi. Writing is like kissing, but without lips. Writing is giving kisses of thoughts".
A sequel that didn't deceive. Don't miss it.
I still believe in magic !!! show less
After having read the earlier Glattauer's novel I had been anxiously waiting for its sequel.
I got it only yesterday, late in the evening.
I finished it today.
Beware, because once you enter Emmi and Leo's world you'll be completely hooked, you won't be able to put the book down.
This might be seen and even reviewed as a trivial, page-turner, modern epistolary love story. Only another of those fresh-and-easy-reading books to take away with you for a short holiday. Don't be fooled.
If you read between the lines, if you bother to look deeper, it can almost reach the level of pure philosophy. This story is about all of us. It COULD be any of us.
Emmi and Leo are two lost people who think they are show more contented with their lives until they "meet virtually" by accident. A silly mistake. The connection begins. Game is on.
Only through their mails we witness the full development of an intimate and complex relationship, we spy on two bare souls exposed to each other, their hidden wishes, their fears, their regrets, their dreams are shown to us without restraint. And I felt so identified with so many of their longings (...)
I'm still surfing on the seventh wave, in a sea full of illusion, ideals and "it's-not-impossible-to-have-it-alls".
Some great quotations from the book:
" Each syllable has your eyes in it"
"If you are sober, drink.
If you feel quiet, speak.
If you are bewildered, ask me.
That's why you've got your diary"
" Why I never let go of you? Because I can't lose and I don't want to. Because I don't want to lose you".
" There's some who live the lack of wind as an inner peace. There's some who live it as a perpetual paralysis".
"Until now, only with words, we have reached everywhere".
"Write to me, Emmi. Writing is like kissing, but without lips. Writing is giving kisses of thoughts".
A sequel that didn't deceive. Don't miss it.
I still believe in magic !!! show less
Novela epistolar, con la diferencia de que lo que se intercambia son correos electrónicos y no epístolas a la vieja usanza. Dos desconocidos cruzan unos cuantos correos y a partir de ahí el autor construye una historia bella y realista que termina con un espectacular cliff hanger (hay parte dos que tuve que encargar en la tienda Kindle sobre la marcha porque no aguantaba pasar unos días sin seguir con la historia). Podría englobarse este libro en mi odiada categoría de horrorosa novela rosa, si no fuera porque es muy bueno. La historia se me hizo adictiva y me leí el libro de una sentada (tumbada en mi caso, pero una sola). Entretenido, bonito e interesante.
4.5 stars. 0.5 star due to sometimes wanting to slap the heroine in a non fun way. Review after the holidays...
Ok, so it's after the holidays ( 7 months but hey...)
Go read this book!! Seriously, go read it! How many times do i have to say it?? This book is all kinds of wonderful, sweet (in a non sickening/need a glass of water/call my dentist kindda way), funny (more witty actually), heartbreaking book. And I couldn't put it down, couldn't stop thinking about it when i had to put it down. I fell hopelessly in love with the hero, got pissed as hell at the heroiein (and vice versa at times).You know... It's one of those books!
I've just finished the sequel and it was just as wonderful. Don't read it's blurb,it's too reveling, that's why I show more didn't rate it yet, so you wouldn't read it by accident.
That's it, I'm not gonna beg. Ohhhhh... Fine, I'm begging! show less
Ok, so it's after the holidays ( 7 months but hey...)
Go read this book!! Seriously, go read it! How many times do i have to say it?? This book is all kinds of wonderful, sweet (in a non sickening/need a glass of water/call my dentist kindda way), funny (more witty actually), heartbreaking book. And I couldn't put it down, couldn't stop thinking about it when i had to put it down. I fell hopelessly in love with the hero, got pissed as hell at the heroiein (and vice versa at times).You know... It's one of those books!
I've just finished the sequel and it was just as wonderful. Don't read it's blurb,it's too reveling, that's why I show more didn't rate it yet, so you wouldn't read it by accident.
That's it, I'm not gonna beg. Ohhhhh... Fine, I'm begging! show less
4.5 stars. 0.5 star due to sometimes wanting to slap the heroine in a non fun way. Review after the holidays...
Ok, so it's after the holidays ( 7 months but hey...)
Go read this book!! Seriously, go read it! How many times do i have to say it?? This book is all kinds of wonderful, sweet (in a non sickening/need a glass of water/call my dentist kindda way), funny (more witty actually), heartbreaking book. And I couldn't put it down, couldn't stop thinking about it when i had to put it down. I fell hopelessly in love with the hero, got pissed as hell at the heroiein (and vice versa at times).You know... It's one of those books!
I've just finished the sequel and it was just as wonderful. Don't read it's blurb,it's too reveling, that's why I show more didn't rate it yet, so you wouldn't read it by accident.
That's it, I'm not gonna beg. Ohhhhh... Fine, I'm begging! show less
Ok, so it's after the holidays ( 7 months but hey...)
Go read this book!! Seriously, go read it! How many times do i have to say it?? This book is all kinds of wonderful, sweet (in a non sickening/need a glass of water/call my dentist kindda way), funny (more witty actually), heartbreaking book. And I couldn't put it down, couldn't stop thinking about it when i had to put it down. I fell hopelessly in love with the hero, got pissed as hell at the heroiein (and vice versa at times).You know... It's one of those books!
I've just finished the sequel and it was just as wonderful. Don't read it's blurb,it's too reveling, that's why I show more didn't rate it yet, so you wouldn't read it by accident.
That's it, I'm not gonna beg. Ohhhhh... Fine, I'm begging! show less
Gibt es in einer vom Alltag besetzten Wirklichkeit einen besser geschützten Raum für gelebte Sehnsüchte als den virtuellen?
Bei Leo Leike landen irrtümlich E-Mails einer ihm unbekannten Emmi Rothner. Aus Höflichkeit antwortet er ihr. Und weil sich Emmi von ihm angezogen fühlt, schreibt sie zurück.
Bald gibt Leo zu: »Ich interessiere mich wahnsinnig für Sie, liebe Emmi! Ich weiß aber auch, wie absurd dieses Interesse ist.« Und wenig später gesteht Emmi: »Es sind Ihre Zeilen und meine Reime darauf: die ergeben so in etwa einen Mann, wie ich mir plötzlich vorstelle, dass es sein kann, dass es so jemanden wirklich gibt.«
Es scheint nur noch eine Frage der Zeit zu sein, wann es zum ersten persönlichen Treffen kommt, aber diese show more Frage wühlt beide so sehr auf, dass sie die Antwort lieber noch eine Weile hinauszögern. Außerdem ist Emmi glücklich verheiratet. Und Leo verdaut gerade eine gescheiterte Beziehung.
Und überhaupt: Werden die gesendeten, empfangenen und gespeicherten Liebesgefühle einer Begegnung standhalten? Und was, wenn ja? show less
Bei Leo Leike landen irrtümlich E-Mails einer ihm unbekannten Emmi Rothner. Aus Höflichkeit antwortet er ihr. Und weil sich Emmi von ihm angezogen fühlt, schreibt sie zurück.
Bald gibt Leo zu: »Ich interessiere mich wahnsinnig für Sie, liebe Emmi! Ich weiß aber auch, wie absurd dieses Interesse ist.« Und wenig später gesteht Emmi: »Es sind Ihre Zeilen und meine Reime darauf: die ergeben so in etwa einen Mann, wie ich mir plötzlich vorstelle, dass es sein kann, dass es so jemanden wirklich gibt.«
Es scheint nur noch eine Frage der Zeit zu sein, wann es zum ersten persönlichen Treffen kommt, aber diese show more Frage wühlt beide so sehr auf, dass sie die Antwort lieber noch eine Weile hinauszögern. Außerdem ist Emmi glücklich verheiratet. Und Leo verdaut gerade eine gescheiterte Beziehung.
Und überhaupt: Werden die gesendeten, empfangenen und gespeicherten Liebesgefühle einer Begegnung standhalten? Und was, wenn ja? show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Love Virtually
- Original title
- Gut gegen Nordwind
- Original publication date
- 2006
- People/Characters
- Leo Leike; Emmi Rothner
- Important places*
- Wien, Österreich
- First words*
- 15. Jänner
Betreff: Abbestellung
Ich möchte bitte mein Abonnement kündigen. Geht das auf diesem Wege? Freundliche Grüße, E. Rothner. - Quotations*
- Nicht ich bin pathologisch, sondern Sie benehmen sich verbalerotisch verhaltensoriginell, lieber Leo.
Wir dürfen nicht beginnen, in die Privatsphäre des anderen einzudringen.
Ich kann heute nicht schlafen. Habe ich Ihnen eigentlich schon einmal vom Nordwind erzählt? Ich vertrage keinen Nordwind, wenn mein Fenster offen ist. - Last words*
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Zehn Sekunden später
AW:
ACHTUNG, GEÄNDERTE E-MAIL-ADRESSE. DER EMPFÄNGER KANN SEINE POST UNTER DER GEWÄHLTEN ADRESSE NICHT MEHR AUFRUFEN. NEUE E-MAILS IM POSTEINGANG WERDEN AUTOMATISCH GELÖSCHT. FÜR RÜCKFRAGEN STEHT DER SYSTEMMANAGER GERNE ZUR VERFÜGUNG. - Original language*
- Deutsch
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
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