Holger reviewed Die Kakerlake by Ian McEwan
Entbehrlich
2 stars
Sich in der Einleitung auf den großen Jonathan Swift beziehen und dann eine so unwitzige Satire abliefern. Also, nee.
Paperback, 126 pages
Published Jan. 15, 2020 by Editorial Anagrama.
La cucaracha
2 stars
(12 reviews)
Optional reviewed Die Kakerlake by Ian McEwan
Coping with Brexit through humour
2 stars
This novel takes a satirical look at Brexit and the populism surrounding it. It is quite humorous in its descriptions of politicians' day-to-day and a quick read. Its ties to Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis are loose and only extend to mirroring the opening lines describing a human-insect-transformation. Neither the writing style nor the explored topics are very Kafkaesque.
The focus is disappointingly shallow, namely the politicians and the absurdity of their politics and behaviour. How exactly this fits with (the will of) the people is not explored to a satisfying conclusion. After reading—as before—we are wondering how such a thing as Brexit could happen and why the politicians went through with it and why the people voted for it.
mika reviewed Die Kakerlake by Ian McEwan
Review of 'Die Kakerlake' on 'Goodreads'
2 stars
Die Kafka-Analogie ist offensichtlich und den Brexit anhand des Reversalismus zu thematisieren ist eine schöne Idee. Mir gefällt auch das Gedankenspiel mit der Umkehrung des Geldflusses, aber so richtig geflutscht hat es für mich insgesamt leider trotzdem nicht - das mag aber auch an der Übersetzung liegen, weil stellenweise hatte ich den Eindruck, dass es im Original stimmiger sein könnte.
(Die digitale Version in der OnLeihe ausgeborgt)
wrul (pre‐2023) reviewed The Cockroach by Ian McEwan
tapers to tepidity
2 stars
Fun at first, but steadily soured by sexist tropes and the gradual falling away of creativity and cleverness in general.
PlaySomethingAwful reviewed The Cockroach by Ian McEwan
Review of 'The Cockroach' on 'Goodreads'
Lame.
franksbooks reviewed The Cockroach by Ian McEwan
Review of 'The Cockroach' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
One wonders what McEwen was thinking when he published this Thinly disguised ridicule of Britain’s Brexiteer leaders. It’s really in a vein Perhaps more suited to a John Crace column. While Not lacking in humour, I’m glad it didn’t go on too long – unlike for the British, where the cockroaches remain at the tiller.
jv reviewed La cucaracha by Ian McEwan
Review of 'La cucaracha' on 'Goodreads'
2 stars
No será por esta novela, quizá un poco apresurada, por la que se recuerde a McEwan. Pero tiene gracia y es una explicación del Brexit tan plausible como cualquier otra.
