Plot Summary

Fatelessness

Imre Kertesz
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Fatelessness

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1975

Book Brief

Imre Kertesz

Fatelessness

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1975
Book Details
Pages

272

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Hungary • 1940s

Publication Year

1975

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Fatelessness by Imre Kertész recounts the harrowing experiences of Gyuri Koves, a young Jewish teenager in Budapest, who endures unimaginable suffering after being deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau and other concentration camps during the Holocaust. The novel explores themes of survival, identity, and existentialism as Gyuri navigates life in captivity, disconnected from a sense of Jewish fate and conscious control over his destiny.

Melancholic

Contemplative

Dark

Unnerving

Mysterious

Reviews & Readership

4.2

12,636 ratings

77%

Loved it

17%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Imre Kertesz's Fatelessness is lauded for its profound, introspective narrative that authentically conveys the Holocaust through a young boy's eyes. Critics praise its stark, honest prose and philosophical depth. However, some find its detached tone challenging. This complex survivor's tale provokes thought but may not cater to all tastes, requiring patience and contemplation.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Fatelessness?

A reader who would enjoy Fatelessness by Imre Kertész is likely captivated by poignant, introspective narratives exploring human resilience amidst historical atrocities. Fans of Night by Elie Wiesel or The Diary of Anne Frank will appreciate Kertész's deeply reflective treatment of the Holocaust experience.

4.2

12,636 ratings

77%

Loved it

17%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

272

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Hungary • 1940s

Publication Year

1975

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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