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417
Novel • Fiction
Multiple Locations • Contemporary
2007
Adult
18+ years
Flights interweaves travel writing fragments with fictional vignettes, centering on characters derived from the narrator's travels or historical figures. Through these stories, the narrator explores themes of movement, travel, and the role of writing in preserving human life and death, examining complex ideas such as the dissolution of boundaries and the impact of modern society. The novel discusses concepts of mortality, anatomical preservation, and identity.
Mysterious
Contemplative
Emotional
Informative
Bittersweet
35,433 ratings
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Olga Tokarczuk's Flights, translated by Jennifer Croft, masterfully blends philosophical musings with a fragmented narrative, exploring themes of travel and human anatomy. Critics laud its originality and depth, yet some find its structure disjointed and challenging. However, its inventive storytelling and profound reflections make it a compelling read.
Readers who enjoy Flights by Olga Tokarczuk and translated by Jennifer Croft are likely to appreciate introspective and fragmented narratives that explore themes of travel, human anatomy, and existential quests. Fans of W.G. Sebald’s Austerlitz or Italo Calvino’s Invisible Cities would find a similar poetic and philosophical resonance.
35,433 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Kunicki
A Warsaw-based salesman whose life changes after his wife and son go missing briefly during a vacation, causing him to reevaluate his emotions and relationships.
Jagoda
Kunicki's wife, whose brief disappearance on a family vacation introduces uncertainty and ambiguity into her marriage, though her own perspective is not deeply explored.
Dr. Blau
An anatomist passionate about preserving human form and beauty, whose professional life intertwines with his personal proclivities for seducing young students and photography.
Philip Verheyen
A celebrated historical anatomist intrigued by the phenomenon of phantom limb pain, whose exploration of the human body parallels internal journeys and philosophical inquiries.
Willem van Horssen
A loyal student of Philip Verheyen and participant in the Enlightenment medical community, who seeks to honor his mentor's legacy by documenting his life’s work posthumously.
417
Novel • Fiction
Multiple Locations • Contemporary
2007
Adult
18+ years
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