The Tin Drum: Having recently read the book, I was curious to see the movie, especially since it was similarly heaped with critical acclaim. I was expecting it to be just as strange as the book, and was certainly not disappointed. However, it ended only about two thirds of the way through the story, and included a large number of scenes and characters without any explanation. In short, had I not read the book I would have been completely and utterly lost. I liked it, but I simply cannot recommend it to anyone else. Save yourself the headache of confusion (and perhaps shock) and skip this one.
Tag Archives: tin drum
The Tin Drum by Gunther Grass
The Tin Drum by Gunter Grass: What a strange book. I’m not sure how else to describe the life story of a midget with a neurotic attachment to his toy drum and a voice that can shatter glass. Add in the fact that most of it takes place in Germany during WWII and it’s all narrated from a bed in a mental hospital, and you have one truly bizarre tale. It took me an unusually long time to read this book. It wasn’t bad, just very dense and difficult to read a lot of at a time. In fact, the absurdity was quite funny in places, but maybe I just have a strange sense of humor. The passages I read out loud baffled my husband. In short, I have absolutely no idea why this book is considered a classic in some circles, but I’m glad I read it. It’s definitely one story I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.
Also posted on BookCrossing.