The Painted Bird by Jerzy Kosinski Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Painted Bird
Book Review: Bleak, harrowing
Summary: 4 Stars
Excellently written, evocative and compelling, this book is also fairly unique in its ability to capture and convey the absolute 7th ring of hell very convincingly, without allowing you to look away. A masterpiece, possibly the seminal work of holocaust literature. In later life Kosinsky was accused of being a fraud (the book obviously is not literally autobiographical) and he was described as ungrateful by the Polish villagers who are portrayed in the book so negatively. The 1st accusation was obviously ridiculously naive and rooted in jealous. The 2nd accusation is hilariously ironic. Read the book, you won't forget it.Book Review: Brutal and Brilliant.
Summary: 5 Stars
I have just revisited this book, having read it first as a teenager and was astounded once again by its potency, both as a story, and as a terrifying inditement of human nature. In view of increasing world conflict in the post world war era, this book is more relevant than ever.Book Review: Child puzzles over reasons why groups are scapegoated.
Summary: 5 Stars
As each event unfolds, the bestiality changes or increases. People never question the outsider but assume he will bring the evil eye, attract the enemy's attention, or simply enjoy the mortification or torture of the helpless outsider. Using the young child to question the reasons for sadism is an effective way for us to question our own behavior.Book Review: Collection of pornographic short clips
Summary: 1 Stars
This is a sad excuse for something to be taken seriously. If someone wanted to be jolted by man's insensitivity to man, "Night" by Weisel is of much more literary value. This book has none, zero, nada, as value goes. I'm sure that many injustices have occurred, but the author should have stuck to fact. There is no conclusion to his line of writing either, just an ending of his scenes.Book Review: Couldn't finish it...
Summary: 5 Stars
I read the edited version back in the 70's.
This is the first and only book I could not finish.The brutality and evil the child in the novel(it's not clear if the child is Kosinski,or a compilation of experiences he or others witnessed) witnessed during the war was too much for me to take.I have attempted over the years to finish it,but have not been successful to date.
Mr.Kosinski wrote with deep,scarring emotion. And I couldn't finish his testimony to what depths the human soul can sink.
The off-handed,even nonchalant way in which these horrible acts,whether towards humans or animals,were carried out was too much for me to take. I am a coward.I admit it.There is only so much brutality the reader can take.Having said that,this book still stands as one of the most unforgettable books about the Holocaust,and one that should be read by someone who can stand it.I'm not that person,but I will tell you what:Even though I only read less than half the book,the behavior of the monsters was enough for me to make sure that I would not stand for cruelty,to humans or animals,and I stuck to it.
I can write no more of this book.I will only ask that you give it a chance.I'm still trying.