Helpful Score: 9
a thought-provoking meditative novel, as two old friends talk together about the woman they both loved; raises questions about old age, about how to live, about the nature of love and friendship
Helpful Score: 8
An old castle in the Carpathian moutains of Hungary, is the setting of this beautifully written psychological thriller. It is a story about the effects of time on relationships, regrets and betrayals. An excellent choice for book clubs!
Helpful Score: 6
What a wonderful surprise. I'm not sure why I picked this book, having no knowledge of it or it's brilliant author. The story is beautifully simple, the words sometimes so perfect I was taken aback. In the end I felt like I was blessed by a wise old sage. A classic in the true sense of the word. This is why we read!
Helpful Score: 5
A beautifully written book. It tells a story about friendships,trust,love,family,betrayl and lack of forgiveness. You will love the flow of the book and the descriptions of what is happening. It pulls you in and you can't seem to stop reading due to the wonder of how it will work and you enjoy the beautiful writing style. A must read if not for the story but just for the beauty of the style of writing.
Helpful Score: 4
Marai's novel, Embers, not only tells an eloquent love story about love between friends and love between a man and a woman, but also brings up questions about life. Those moments of betrayal and loss of trust, but how friendship binds you nonetheless. While slow at times, it does not detract from the beauty of the story and the elegant way in which it is told.