Measuring the World
by Daniel Kehlmann
All agreed that the book was interesting and unusual in its subject matter and style.
Some found the structure, with alternative chapters devoted to Humboldt and Gauss, useful in involving the reader in the narrative and commanding attention.
Others found it more difficult to engage with the novel and the two essentially self-obsessed characters at its core.
Some found it tremendously well-written and translated while to others the style seemed awkward.
This may have reflected a poor or hasty translation.
All agreed that they had the feeling that they had probably missed something of the more esoteric elements of German humour and culture but there were without doubt several passages that were genuinely hilariously funny.
NS June 2007
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