The Strudlhof Steps

Il fatto è che non si può far violenza a opere scritte per essere lette su una sedia a dondolo in stanze dove una pendola tranquillamente oscilla e il pulviscolo fluttua nella luce calda del sole e leggerle a bordo di un autobus... (questa la prima riflessione dopo le prime trenta deliziosamente irresolute pagine).

Conseguentemente, ho cercato di rallentare i ritmi di lettura, di aprire il libro solo quando ero sufficientemente riposato per rendere la lettura la più godibile possibile. E lo è stata, godibile, a tratti anche godibilissima. Ma facile no. E' una lettura impegnativa ma gratificante, non delude. Il tour de force è del lettore, l'autore ha piena padronanza e fila liscio che è un piacere, senza fatica, con ammirevole show more facilità di scrittura.
Nell'introduzione si rimanda al film di Max Ophuels La ronde. Ecco, io il film non l'ho ancora visto e mi riprometto di farlo, ma di sicuro posso dire che in effetti la narrazione ha il ritmo di un ballo. Un giro di walzer nella Vienna degli inizi del '900... show less

As "The Strudlhof Steps" consists of no less than 800 pages, one would expect my review to be considerably lengthy in order to do the book justice. Alas, I cannot meet that expectation. Although I do have lengthy observations, I shall try to be concise.

First, the positives (what I liked). The author, Heimito Von Doderer, was without a doubt, an incredibly intelligent, talented, witty, and sophisticated writer. His prose consistently challenges and yet entertains the reader. There is no shortage of wisdom shared; yet shared in an often slyly humorous fashion. Through this, one comes to know not only the characters but, also, to a not insignificant degree, the author as well.

The challenges become all too familiar. The author's prose is show more not easy to read. His sentences are lengthy often containing dependent clauses, parenthetical remarks, literary alusions, and quotations from classic authors. Not surprisingly, his paragraphs can spill over several pages.

"The Strudlhof Steps" is often considered "a", if not "the" quintessential portrait of early twentieth-century Vienna. Although that seems to be an accurate observation, I felt that going into the novel the reader would be well served by gaining some fundamental knowledge of the city and its environs. It felt that it was extremely easy to "get lost".

The book has been described by some reviewers as series of soap opera scenes. It certainly is more than that but it does lack an overarching plot beyond the often conflicted interactions of the multifarious characters. And, the book is not lacking in characters. At least 10-15 characters shuffle in and out of the spotlight. As many of those characters are alternately referred to by nicknames, titles, first and/or last names, I quickly became overwhelmed.

Having said all that, I would still say the book is enormously enjoyable. I think it's appeal for me rested in the author's sophisticated and intelligent prose. Despite the text's challenges (as mentioned above), reading the work was consistently a pleasure. show less

Moeilijk boek. Het moet aandachtig worden gelezen omdat we anders al vlug niet meer weten waar het allemaal om draait en omdat er al vroeg aanwijzingen zijn voor dingen die veel van later verduidelijken en verklaren.

Het boek heeft geen echte verhaallijn en evenmin een hoofdpersoon. Het is in feite het levensverhaal van velen en hun relatie met elkaar in Wenen voor en na de Eerste Wereldoorlog. De schrijver is duidelijk aanwezig in dit grote verhaal. Hij is de alleswetende verteller, wat hij niet weet zegt hij trouwens ook letterlijk.

Opvallend is het verstrengelen van de beschreven tijd. Soms volg je de personages voor de oorlog en dan weer na de oorlog. De oorlog zelf bespreekt deze roman niet, evenmin kom je veel te weten over hoe show more het land of Wenen de oorlog hebben verwerkt. Waar het om gaat zijn de menselijke verhoudingen waarbij je veel psychologische beschrijvingen krijgt. show less

Door intriges.. kan Melzer zich in kleinburgerlijk geluk nestelen.