Flights of Love sees Bernhard Schlink build on the success of his international bestselling debut novel, The Reader, with a clutch of short stories that tell of the variety of love, distilled into seven splinters of narrative. The pick of the seven, the opening 'Girl with Lizard,' depicts a remote male character who fixates on a painting of his father's, which he is to dis Flights of Love sees Bernhard Schlink build on the success of his international bestselling debut novel, The Reader, with a clutch of short stories that tell of the variety of love, distilled into seven splinters of narrative. The pick of the seven, the opening 'Girl with Lizard,' depicts a remote male character who fixates on a painting of his father's, which he is to discover, like his father, has a familiarly unsavory past, and which he is impelled to exorcise. In the book's centerpiece, 'Sugar Peas,' architect and amateur painter Thomas finds that his trio of lovers avenge themselves on his profligacy after he is left wheelchair-bound by an accident.

• Translation Review

'The Other Man' presents a widower corresponding with his dead wife's unwitting lover, and finding comfort through acquaintance. Less successfully, 'The Circumcision' sees the pretext of a German man and his New York Jewish girlfriend to ponder huge, chewy rhetoric on the problems of reconciling the past, almost absentmindedly concocting an improbable denouement. Schlink too often presents scenarios rather than scenes, more intent on dislocated dilemma than language. In keeping with his legal training, he discerns lines of attack more suited to a drama, or perhaps a courtroom drama, than fiction.

There can be no doubting Schlink's storytelling acumen or his undertaking to tackle the complicated identity of modern Germany. What is increasingly exposed, though, are the supporting mechanisms that too frequently serve to reinforce, rather than challenge, our assumptions with their didactic contrivance.David Vincent, Amazon.co.uk. 'Flights of Love' is a collection of seven short stories that center on love. These are not sweet, sentimental stories since the protagonists are German men, mostly lawyers or law students, that view their emotions with cool, analytic minds. The stories are about communication problems, love that has lost passion, regrets, and midlife crisis mentalities.

A few stories deal with the way that people regard younger Germans (who were not alive during World War II) because the Holocaust had such deva 'Flights of Love' is a collection of seven short stories that center on love. These are not sweet, sentimental stories since the protagonists are German men, mostly lawyers or law students, that view their emotions with cool, analytic minds. The stories are about communication problems, love that has lost passion, regrets, and midlife crisis mentalities. A few stories deal with the way that people regard younger Germans (who were not alive during World War II) because the Holocaust had such devastating effects, including a story about the love of a young man for a painting with a questionable provenance. As a group, the stories are a mixed bag with some having a heavy feeling to them. I have never really been one for short stories. Something in them doesn't suit me and they generally leave me with a feeling of dissatisfaction.

This collection, by of fame, could not have made me feel more different. With the thread running through them all, these stories examines our shared, fundamental desire to find love but the many different forms that love, that one, lasting relationship can take. The characters leading these stories are all very different peop I have never really been one for short stories. Something in them doesn't suit me and they generally leave me with a feeling of dissatisfaction. This collection, by of fame, could not have made me feel more different.

Liebesfluchten by Bernhard Schlink on iTunes. Sie lebten von der Neugier darauf, liebesfluchten am anderen fremd war, von dem, was er hatte und man selbst nicht Wieviel gab es davon! They thrived on the curiosity about what made the other different, what they had liebesfluchten we did not have Liebesfluchten many such stories! Bernhard Schlink. Bernhard Schlink was born in Germany in 1944. A professor of law at the University of Berlin and a practicing judge, he is also the author of several prize-winning crime novels. He lives in Bonn and Berlin. Vintage International VINTAGE BOOKS A DIVISION OF RANDOM HOUSE, INC. Bernhard Schlink Liebesfluchten Pdf File. In particle physics, the strong interaction is the mechanism responsible for the strong nuclear force (also called the strong force or nuclear strong force), and is. Twinkle forgiving the jews for auschwitz guilt and gender in bernhard schlink s liebesfluchten 1 essay.

With the thread running through them all, these stories examines our shared, fundamental desire to find love but the many different forms that love, that one, lasting relationship can take. The characters leading these stories are all very different people and yet Schlink is able to draw out this common need in all of them whilst skilfully creating a range of atmoshperes and feelings for the reader. Whilst some of the stories create empathy for the pain and guilt of its protagonists, others haunt and still others are shot through with almost wicked humour.Of all of them, my favourite to read was 'Sugar Peas' in which the rogue-ish Thomas takes himself off for a year, masquerading as a monk (of the fictitious Order of St. Thomas - vain sod! He has worn himself out keeping three lives going at once: his family in Berlin with his wife with whom her runs an architectural firm, his 'second family' of Veronika and their daughter Klara in Hamburg, where she sells his paintings through her gallery, and his girlfriend Helga, back in Berlin again, who is young, determined, and whose dental clinic he is financing.

When a dreadful accident brings his escape to an end, his self-involvement and selfishness comes back to bite him and we are left in no doubt as to where the power now lies!The most effecting, however, is probably the story that concludes the collection - 'The Woman at the Gas Station'. This story has such a well of sadness in it as the man in it is confronted by the fact that his life, which has been held together by the rituals and habits of a not unhappy marriage, has not made him happy when a long-held dream comes before him as a possible reality.This story was a poignant note on which to end the collection, but I wished there had been more. Picked this up because I wanted to get beyond the tortured obsessions of Homecoming, and Schlink is so highly thought of, I wondered whether I was being overly critical.

Happily this collection of short stories is much better, although not uniformly. The first, “Girl and Lizard” is written in the same dessicated and tortured style that beset Homecoming, only this time it’s over a painting. It’s also marred by Schlink’s tendency to sink into a courtroom inquisition substitute for conversation tha Picked this up because I wanted to get beyond the tortured obsessions of Homecoming, and Schlink is so highly thought of, I wondered whether I was being overly critical. Happily this collection of short stories is much better, although not uniformly.

The first, “Girl and Lizard” is written in the same dessicated and tortured style that beset Homecoming, only this time it’s over a painting. It’s also marred by Schlink’s tendency to sink into a courtroom inquisition substitute for conversation that sounds ludicrous when it’s a middle-aged son asking his aged mother about her past. A couple of others left me unmoved too for the same reasons, but several, eg “the Son” about a Jewish American and a German, are full of compassion and understanding of complex relationships.But oh, god, are his characters ever so rational and reasonable, even at the height of their anger or despair! Surely somewhere in these seven stories someone would fly off the handle and say or do something they would later regret, without first weighing the consequences? A set of longish short stories, they are typically 50-60 pages so almost novellas. They build on common themes for Schlink - coming to terms with Germany's Nazi past, love, affairs and ageing.

They are variable in quality, both in terms of the stories and the writing.Schlink provides some interesting insights and observations, but the writing is not that great. There is too much telling the reader, and not enough space left to build up our own of images and letting us form our own observations. A set of longish short stories, they are typically 50-60 pages so almost novellas. They build on common themes for Schlink - coming to terms with Germany's Nazi past, love, affairs and ageing.

They are variable in quality, both in terms of the stories and the writing.Schlink provides some interesting insights and observations, but the writing is not that great. There is too much telling the reader, and not enough space left to build up our own of images and letting us form our own observations. A shame because a couple of the stories could be good if written just a little better. On the other hand, a couple of the stories, are frankly, of a poor standard.

None of it is anything like the standard of The Reader, which is a really fine read. My 3 stars for this book, I may think on reflection is generous.Having read 3 of Schlink's books now and only thought The Reader was of a truly high standard, I'm starting to wonder if he is a one hit wonder. I'm happy to be corrected if anyone thinks any of his others are equally good. Promises metBernhard Schlink created a devoted following with the translation of his first novel THE READER.

Opinion was divided among critics and readers as to whether or not this author was playing on simplistic heart-string tuggings or whether he really had somthing new to say and an equal talent to say it. Being part of the camp of readers who were caught up in the story of 'The Reader' and waited eagerly to see just where this writer would/could go, I am happy to say that FLIGHTS OF LOVE i Promises metBernhard Schlink created a devoted following with the translation of his first novel THE READER. Opinion was divided among critics and readers as to whether or not this author was playing on simplistic heart-string tuggings or whether he really had somthing new to say and an equal talent to say it. Being part of the camp of readers who were caught up in the story of 'The Reader' and waited eagerly to see just where this writer would/could go, I am happy to say that FLIGHTS OF LOVE is substantial proof that Schlink is a very fine storyteller. This book of seven short stories, while a bit uneven, at least shows that the author can relate tales of interest, of introspection, of intrique, and in general can keep his reader flowing with his thoughts to the somewhat open-ended conclusions. 'The Other Man' is deftly told and has much more of a universal appeal than the isolated story would indicate.

'Girl with Lizard' is a mesmerizing tale based on a man's relationship to a painting! One of the unifying elements in Schlink's creative mind is examining how internalized perceptions, when maintained in the prison of an individual's mind, can alter the manner in which we live through relationships, ways that could have been more constructive had communication of these altered perceptions occurred. Sounds simple, but the way Schlink uses this tool to alter his characters reaction to not only each other but to everyone and everything in their lives is touching and rings true. If at times his writing seems detached or cold, I wonder how much of that is due to the fact that we are reading translations. Despite any of the negative points mentioned, here is a collection of short stories that merit attention and make us eager for the next full scale novel to come along.Grady Harp. I borrowed this book from my friend's fiance. When my friend delivered it to me he said 'this looks like a very boring book'.

Honestly I had my doubts when I started reading it as the story would go on with details but then the ending was not so dramatic or stunning as you usually get in fiction. But I liked Bernhard's style of writing. It's so beautiful that it always persuaded me to read more our of curiosity even if I knew the ending would not be surprising. My friend's fiance said his ending I borrowed this book from my friend's fiance. When my friend delivered it to me he said 'this looks like a very boring book'.

Honestly I had my doubts when I started reading it as the story would go on with details but then the ending was not so dramatic or stunning as you usually get in fiction. But I liked Bernhard's style of writing. It's so beautiful that it always persuaded me to read more our of curiosity even if I knew the ending would not be surprising. My friend's fiance said his endings need to be taken in with a pinch of salt and she is right. But this is the way life is. Even though we find perfect endings in fiction, in real life whatever the drama we deal with, in end we just go on. Life simply goes on.

Not everyone has happy endings or dramatic stunning ones. I felt this is what Bernhard was trying to show in his stories. He plants the seed of the story in our head, take us to the climax but then just drop us with a simple ending where you go 'so that's it?? Nothing happened??

Is this how it ends?' .However I really loved how Sugar Peas ended. I feel in real life Thomas would have gotten away with it. I've seen many men who have. But the fact that he didn't in the story made me quite satisfied.

Circumcision was probably my favourite out of the 7 stories. It makes you question what love is, written in simple terms but touching the very depth of your heart.All in all I found the book worth reading even though at a glance it appears to be boring and dull. I guess that's why they tell you not to judge a book by its cover:). Schlink has written seven stories with male German protagonists. To me what unites the stories is a certain moodiness as the men examine the nature of love in their lives.

Most deal with regret and loss. Some are compassionate and some shocking. It's difficult for me to rate the book as a single work. Of course I feel more strongly about some stories than others. I decided to go the generous route. I wasn't particularly impressed with the first three stories, though they are interesting, but I v Schlink has written seven stories with male German protagonists.

To me what unites the stories is a certain moodiness as the men examine the nature of love in their lives. Most deal with regret and loss. Some are compassionate and some shocking.

It's difficult for me to rate the book as a single work. Of course I feel more strongly about some stories than others. I decided to go the generous route. I wasn't particularly impressed with the first three stories, though they are interesting, but I very much appreciated the last four. I won't spoil any plot elements, so I'll just mention that I find the final scene of 'The Son' to be brilliant and moving, 'Sugar Peas' completely unexpected, and 'The Circumcision' a very compelling two-sided portrait. Flights of Love published in 2002 is quite different from Summer Lies, a more recent collection of Schlink’s.

I have decided that I prefer this collection as the stories are more varied and the tone too. Perhaps because of the theme? I’m not sure but I really enjoyed the different storylines.In Girl With a Lizard a family’s life is changed because of a painting. Or I should say the obsessive behaviour of members of the family regarding the painting.A Little Fling is about an East-West friendsh Flights of Love published in 2002 is quite different from Summer Lies, a more recent collection of Schlink’s. I have decided that I prefer this collection as the stories are more varied and the tone too. Perhaps because of the theme?

I’m not sure but I really enjoyed the different storylines.In Girl With a Lizard a family’s life is changed because of a painting. Or I should say the obsessive behaviour of members of the family regarding the painting.A Little Fling is about an East-West friendship and I found the story really illuminating about life either side of the Berlin wall.

Somewhere along the way the friendship of a young couple and a single man becomes an affair.The Other Man is one of my favourite stories. After his wife dies, a widower discovers that his wife had a lover. Lonely and bored, having trouble adjusting to his new life, the widower decides to stalk the lover.Sugar Peas is my least favourite story and I actually put the book aside after this overly long story about a man juggling three relationships (including children).The Circumcision is about a German man and a Jewish woman who fall in love. The extreme example of incompatibility of course but Schlink shows how we are very blinkered in the early stages of any relationship.In The Son a German man is acting as an observer in some sort of military procession in (I’m guessing a South American country). The tension builds as the reader gradually realises that the main character is in a perilous position. Whilst all this is happening his thoughts return to his son.And finally my favourite story, The Woman at the Gas Station about a man haunted by a dream:“He no longer knew if he had actually dreamt his dream at one time or had only been fantasising about it from the start. He also didn’t know what image, what story, or what film had triggered it.

It must have been when he was fifteen or sixteen - the dream had stayed with him that long now. Back then, he would fantasise about it if a class in school or a day on vacation with his parents was too boring, later it might happen in a business meeting or on a train - when he was tired and had put his reports away, he would lay his head back and close his eyes.”Recommended for those who appreciate an author with a quiet, steady voice. Girl with LizardThis was a meh for me.I really didn’t get the boy’s obsession with the painting. Why choose a painting over real love? It seemed silly.it was probably symbolism for picking other things over love, but still a meh. 1 star for this.A Little FlingI’ll be honest.I was worried at first for this being a love story between the main guy and his friends’ daughter.

Ugh, but it got worse and he had a fling with his friend’s wife. Why do people do this?

I wanted to slap all thr Girl with LizardThis was a meh for me.I really didn’t get the boy’s obsession with the painting. Why choose a painting over real love?

It seemed silly.it was probably symbolism for picking other things over love, but still a meh. 1 star for this.A Little FlingI’ll be honest.I was worried at first for this being a love story between the main guy and his friends’ daughter. Ugh, but it got worse and he had a fling with his friend’s wife. Why do people do this? I wanted to slap all three of the characters; especially the husband and wife. I could see both sides of their argument.The ending surprised me!

I had mixed feelings thoughit seemed too easy. But alas, overall this was okay. I was annoyed a lot, but it was okay. 3 stars.The Other ManThis was super sad! I felt so bad for the husband! I felt like this short story was giving Lisa excuses for being a cheating wench. Especially the endingman, I hated the ending.

I must admit that it was an interesting way to look at story. I gave it a 2.Sugar PeasUgh. Thomas needed a punch in the face and the 3 girls irked me to no end.

HOWEVER, it was my second favorite short story. I loved the ending, because karma is a bitch and karma hates you Thomas. This one surely did give me lots of emotion, mainly anger, but lots of emotions. It was certainly entertaining.

I didn’t quite understand the title until an hour or so later! There are 3 girls three peas in a pod. In the end, I gave this a 4.The CircumcisionThe title certainly intrigued me. It confused me until the end.and it all made sense. I LOVED THIS STORY!

I hated the girl, she was ignorant and I felt bad for the main guy. However, this was a great way to look at Judaism, Germans, and the Holocaust.

It’s been 50 years since the Holocaust and a Jewish girl ends up dating a German man who had NOTHING to do with the event. The point this story makes is that prejudice can happen on both ends. Yes, it was horrible about what happened to the Jews, but one should not discriminate or hate a German that had nothing to do (especially if they weren’t born yet) with what happened. Poor guyI would have railed the girl when she said, “It must be the Nazi in you.” 00 HE WASN’T EVEN BORN AND HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE KILLING OF YOUR PEOPLE AND YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS! The ending was perfect. I had to read it 3 times to truly realize what happened.

I gave a good HUZZAH once it sank in. This book have me such emotion. I had to explain what was going on, because Boyfriend was in the room with me giving me odd looks. Since his Grandfather’s family is German, he was mad that they guy stayed with her and he was happy on how it ended as well.I stamped this with 5 stars of course.The SonThis was a meh and I skimmed until the last page. The last page made everything worth it for me. It was super sad. I stamped this with 3.Woman at the Gas StationThe ending made me sad even though I knew it was going to happen (hintthe title).

I was super hopeful, but not every relationship can be saved. In the end, a 3.OverallI enjoyed the writing style of this author. One of his books was chosen in the book club I’m in, so I interested to read it and see if it’s better or worse than this. The short stories all showed in interesting take on love. All the stories had to do with love and how sometimes it can burn you. Hintthe title is “Flights of love”.

Some of the short stories where meh and I didn’t like it, while some other I really liked. I would recommend this to those looking for a quick read about love. After averaging out all the numbers, it comes to 2.6, so since I don’t give decimals, I shall round this to 3 stars. My thoughts on 'Girl with a Lizard':One's life, emotion, and feeling may be explained; the painting may take-on more meaning then anything else.

She may offer an explanation for an unhappy or cheerful life that cannot be given by simple words and actions.My thoughts after reading 'The Other Man':Most don't understand the burden and cold gift that vengeance can be. The weak and trying obsession with the other person. How often you wish to be close to the other person-to find their secrets so you My thoughts on 'Girl with a Lizard':One's life, emotion, and feeling may be explained; the painting may take-on more meaning then anything else. She may offer an explanation for an unhappy or cheerful life that cannot be given by simple words and actions.My thoughts after reading 'The Other Man':Most don't understand the burden and cold gift that vengeance can be. The weak and trying obsession with the other person. How often you wish to be close to the other person-to find their secrets so you can use it against them. For some, in the end, it all falters; the anger tightens and weakly breaks.

Another passion forms where the weak passion has broken: one falls so deeply in love with the one they crave to hate. Sometime that person gives you a gift-through all the mixed anger and passion-you learn more about yourself in a way you never understood before. You never forget them and your love remains. There are times when I find the deliberateness of Bernhard Schlink perfect for the pace of my mind, and other times we are just out of sync. He continues in his thoughtful,steady manner, but I crave the quirky humor of Douglas Adams or Chris Moore, or even (shudder) something cotton candy light, to fluff out the creases in my brain.

I think that may be why it took me so long to work through these stories- my intellect wouldn't cooperate. I was never emotionally swept away by anything in the boo There are times when I find the deliberateness of Bernhard Schlink perfect for the pace of my mind, and other times we are just out of sync. He continues in his thoughtful,steady manner, but I crave the quirky humor of Douglas Adams or Chris Moore, or even (shudder) something cotton candy light, to fluff out the creases in my brain. I think that may be why it took me so long to work through these stories- my intellect wouldn't cooperate.

I was never emotionally swept away by anything in the book, or have that light bulb feeling when you recognize some facet of the tale in your life. But the writing is good: solid, steady, and, I'll say it again, deliberate. I wish my German were more than rudimentary, as he is an author I'd like to read in his native tongue. I don't know if the lack of passion is his own choice or the choice of his translator. I really liked Schlink's dry writing style in The Reader, where you had a whole book to learn about the characters and like them. It does NOT work so well in short stories.

I was bored almost from page 1 and had to drag myself through this whole book. Even though almost every story was 50 pages long, I never understood the characters or their motivations to like them, let alone understand them.

It shouldn't've taken me almost 3 weeks to read a 200 page book when if I really like a story I can re I really liked Schlink's dry writing style in The Reader, where you had a whole book to learn about the characters and like them. It does NOT work so well in short stories.

I was bored almost from page 1 and had to drag myself through this whole book. Even though almost every story was 50 pages long, I never understood the characters or their motivations to like them, let alone understand them. It shouldn't've taken me almost 3 weeks to read a 200 page book when if I really like a story I can read more than 200 pages in just two days. Let that be a testament as to this book's dryness and my boredom.

An unremarkable book of short stories, full of unremarkable and in most cases, unlikable characters. I wasn't excited about reading this to start with.

I didn't think 'The Reader' was as good as everyone made it out to be. But I like to give authors a second chance. This was worst. I'm not the biggest fan of stort stories but these were just all so dull. I especially disliked 'A Little Fling' and the only story I found somewhat intresting was 'Sugar Peas' Maybe it's becuase I'm not smart enough An unremarkable book of short stories, full of unremarkable and in most cases, unlikable characters. I wasn't excited about reading this to start with.

I didn't think 'The Reader' was as good as everyone made it out to be. But I like to give authors a second chance. This was worst. I'm not the biggest fan of stort stories but these were just all so dull. I especially disliked 'A Little Fling' and the only story I found somewhat intresting was 'Sugar Peas' Maybe it's becuase I'm not smart enough to always get what Bernhard is trying to say. Or maybe it's just because they were as boring as hell.

I don't think I'll be reading any of his books in the furture. I was at first attracted by Schlink's calm, clear prose. There were no frills, no long and meandering descriptions. This clipped and clear method of prose was very refreshing.One of the main irks of this book was the tendency to follow a sort of Hemingway-esque method of trying to convey layers of meaning beneath seemingly simple sentences and passages. It's not the easiest method of writing and very few writers can pull it off.

I also thought that Schlink's world was something that I couldn't I was at first attracted by Schlink's calm, clear prose. There were no frills, no long and meandering descriptions. This clipped and clear method of prose was very refreshing.One of the main irks of this book was the tendency to follow a sort of Hemingway-esque method of trying to convey layers of meaning beneath seemingly simple sentences and passages. It's not the easiest method of writing and very few writers can pull it off.

I also thought that Schlink's world was something that I couldn't always relate to. His characters, at least in this book, are invariably super successful white people living in posh urban regions, touched with the ennui of the privileged. The discontent they feel is simply a case of boredom most of the time. Schlink's tendency to also use very elongated plots to convey ideas was a bit annoying, case in point being The Girl with Lizard, A Little Fling and Sugar Peas (my least favourite out of them all). On the other hand, stories such as The Circumcision, The Son, The Woman at the Gas Station and even The Other Man ( before it lost its point) had very simple storylines but managed to capture the angst, torture, love and pain of the characters in very beautiful layers. Overall, I'd say that this was an alright book with some pretty decent stories. I had really loved The Reader.

So when I saw this one at the bookshop, I picked it up without thinking.The pitch is interesting: how can a young American Jewish woman and a young German man live out their love story 50 years after the Holocaust?But it seems like Schlink is more interested in staging debates than actually creating characters. Of course, what they say is interesting, but in that case, a smart essay would have been more appropriate. I was hoping for fiction. This is not good fictio I had really loved The Reader. So when I saw this one at the bookshop, I picked it up without thinking.The pitch is interesting: how can a young American Jewish woman and a young German man live out their love story 50 years after the Holocaust?But it seems like Schlink is more interested in staging debates than actually creating characters. Of course, what they say is interesting, but in that case, a smart essay would have been more appropriate.

I was hoping for fiction. This is not good fiction.Also, I wonder if the translation isn't a problem. The sentences don't flow. It's hard to read, even though it's very small.

This is a gem to read especially when traveling. This collection of short stories got under my skin.

Some stories explore cultural identity in love relationships. Some involve male characters who do not know how to love or are incapable of loving or only love themselves. The stories reminded me of how hard it is to have insight in how others love us. One cannot control love. Love cannot be tamed or harnessed.

It has its own free will. One day it can just go and desert us. My only complaint is th This is a gem to read especially when traveling. This collection of short stories got under my skin. Some stories explore cultural identity in love relationships. Some involve male characters who do not know how to love or are incapable of loving or only love themselves.

Translation Review

The stories reminded me of how hard it is to have insight in how others love us. One cannot control love. Love cannot be tamed or harnessed. It has its own free will. One day it can just go and desert us.

My only complaint is that the short stories often end abruptly and leave me startled. I just finished reading Flights of Love by German lawyer and writer Bernhard Schlink, famed for his novel, and I must say that it was a simple collection of short stories but nobody can deny the fact that each story brings out strong message. All stories were long to cover the deeper meaning of love but short enough to keep it interesting as the author gave additional historical perspective of not only the Holocaust but also the typical lives of the people living in the Eastern and We I just finished reading Flights of Love by German lawyer and writer Bernhard Schlink, famed for his novel, and I must say that it was a simple collection of short stories but nobody can deny the fact that each story brings out strong message. All stories were long to cover the deeper meaning of love but short enough to keep it interesting as the author gave additional historical perspective of not only the Holocaust but also the typical lives of the people living in the Eastern and Western part of Germany.Anybody who wants to read this book must bear in mind that Flights of Love is not a collection of sentimental love stories, nor anthologies that can be compared to those romantic stories of Nicholas Sparks which usually tugs the readers' heartstrings. All stories were different yet similar, having males at the center of the conflicts but the concepts of love were explored widely-some of it were about the lack of love, a love that has missed its opportunity, and someone's failure at love.Indeed all stories in Flights of Love are provocative and readable but I think they are too trite (well, I guess except for 'The Circumcision').

I wonder what was the time frame when the author wrote these stories.Here are the descriptions of the seven stories:Girl with Lizard. A boy's deep curiosity about a mysterious painting of a girl with a lizard in his father's possession leads him to question his role during the war.

(2 stars)A Little Fling. The story of a man from West Germany and his friendship with a couple from the East, which falls apart after Berlin Wall's downfall, revealing political betrayals between them. (3 stars)The Other Man. A widower accidentally reads his wife's letters and discovers that she once had an affair. He seeks out her former lover and befriends him, only to find that he is an impostor. (3 stars)Sugar Peas. A man who set aside the political idealism of his student days for a career as an architect wakes up from the slumber of prosperous middle-aged family life to realize that 'something was missing'.

To be honest, I didn't like it so bad that I just copy-pasted Sugar Peas' description from Google. Haha.) (1 star)The Circumcision. The main character in this amusing story is a German and secretly has himself circumcised out of love for his Jewish girlfriend, but his show of support doesn't quite turn out the way he expects. (4 stars)The Son. A law professor pulls into becoming part of a team of observers sent to a troubled third world country and rekindles his relationship with his family.

(4 stars)The Woman at the Gas Station. A man worried by a frequent dream in his past embarks on a vacation with his wife to celebrate the blooming of their once-failing marriage.

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,I really loved this collection of longer short stories. Because they were longer, they weren't just a snapshot of characters and their lives, but more of a collection of snapshots. Very good ones! I loved the development in them, the flaws and reality of each character. I also loved that the author writes like Hemingyway; there is so much beneath the surface that adds to the characters' richness.

You can just feel history pervading every story. And not just history history, but the characters' i I really loved this collection of longer short stories. Because they were longer, they weren't just a snapshot of characters and their lives, but more of a collection of snapshots. Very good ones! I loved the development in them, the flaws and reality of each character. I also loved that the author writes like Hemingyway; there is so much beneath the surface that adds to the characters' richness.

You can just feel history pervading every story. And not just history history, but the characters' individual histories, everything they might have experienced up until these snapshots are revealed.

And this is wonderful, because then they seem more real, like rounded real people.My favorite story was 'The Circumcision.' I thought it was so powerful, especially for anyone with a German-American history, or maybe even Jewish-American.

Andi is a German studying in NYC, and Sarah is a Jewish American living and working there. They meet and fall in love, and explore all the problems that a German-Jewish couple faces. Some of the problems I think are real, and the author does a great job with that: navigating the religious differences, (potential) familial objections, etc. But some of it I think isn't necessary, and focuses on whether or not modern Germans should bear the guilt of their ancestors. In one evry powerful passage, Sarah says something to the effect of, 'I try not to hold it against you that you're German.' And she says, after he is teasing her a bit, that it's the Nazi in him that teases.To me, these were appalling comments, especially given that they are in a committed, serious relationship. Andi follows up with, 'What would you say if I said I didn't hold it against you that you are Jewish.'

Sarah is angry, and says it isn't the same because she didn't kill a bunch of people. What she misses, though, is that neither did Andi, of course.They get beyond the argument, and Andi even decides, on a trip home to Heidelberg, to have a circumcision, because evidently he sees a future with Sarah and is considering converting. However, when he gets back, not only does Sarah not notice, but she doesn't even understand the significance once he tells her. He spends the night with her, but gets up early in the morning and leaves her.In this instance, I can understand why he did so. It didn't seem like the two of them were going to reach a common ground. I think the author did, though, set out common ground that would allow a couple like that to succeed.

And I think he brought up fantastic points about modern Germans and the confusion about carrying the guilt of not even their relatives, but of a collective German identity. I thought it was a brilliant story, and I look forward to reading more by Schlink, including his nonfiction book of essays, Guilt about the Past. 7 short stories, each with characters different in age and temperament, with unique perspectives and goals, problems and resolutions.

The last story, 'The Woman at the Gas Station' was particularly poignant to me, and left me thinking about marriages.my own in particular. The rhythms of a man and woman together over decades, the early passions and intense lovemaking and exploration of each other's inner worlds; the busy-ness of life.buying a house together, engaging in careers, interacting w 7 short stories, each with characters different in age and temperament, with unique perspectives and goals, problems and resolutions. The last story, 'The Woman at the Gas Station' was particularly poignant to me, and left me thinking about marriages.my own in particular. The rhythms of a man and woman together over decades, the early passions and intense lovemaking and exploration of each other's inner worlds; the busy-ness of life.buying a house together, engaging in careers, interacting with friends and neighbors; the change that having children causes.such a sense of tender togetherness at their birth followed by more busy-ness and movement apart even as the parent-child relationships grow. What about all those years of things not said.how much of what was thought to be silently understood actually was? Would those thoughts, being actually shared, have kept us closer and more together?

Would we have fallen apart more rapidly knowing what the other was thinking that was so foreign and not understandable.or would we have found a way to bridge our individualities.our differences to a point of stronger and unbreakable trust.finding comfort in thinking our forgiveness and trust increased our love for each other. All those aspects of life we can see so well in retrospect.how important it can be, in the midst of the busy-ness of daily life to continue to explore each other, too seek those differences in order to build stronger, new bridges.

It now makes sense that relationships continue throughout their lifetime to be as tenuous as they started. Their strength depends on daily attention and openness.the willing, trusting desire to share vulnerabilities and dreams. To hold them secret, protect them, is to deny the other the chance to reach across the difference and build a bridge. Its only years later, when the differences are vast and no longer resolvable that the need for those bridges comes clear.when there are too few. Contents:Girl with Lizard; A Little Fling; The Other Man; Sugar Peas; The Circumcision; The Son; The Woman at the Gas Station.All seven of these stories are about German men. The first is about a young man discovering his parent's past through searching the history of a painting that hung in his father's study.Relationships between a West Berlin man and an East Berlin couple before and after the fall of the Wall are examined in A Little Fling, a story of betrayal.The Other Man and Sugar Peas bot Contents:Girl with Lizard; A Little Fling; The Other Man; Sugar Peas; The Circumcision; The Son; The Woman at the Gas Station.All seven of these stories are about German men. The first is about a young man discovering his parent's past through searching the history of a painting that hung in his father's study.Relationships between a West Berlin man and an East Berlin couple before and after the fall of the Wall are examined in A Little Fling, a story of betrayal.The Other Man and Sugar Peas both deal with infidelity.

In the first it is a wife's affair (discovered by the husband after her death); in the second a husband's affairs overwhelm him. Both are stories of sly revenge with strange, sometimes questionable, twists and turnings. These two are lighter in mood than the other stories in the collection.In The Circumcision a German man studying in New York falls in love with a Jewish American. This is the post war generation-his father served in the Germany military in World War II; her aunt and uncle survived the concentration camps. The relationship is somewhere between walking on eggs and zig-zagging through a minefield as the two try to understand their prejudices, family histories, and apprehensions about their future together.The Son takes place in an unidentified Latin American country where a German is part of an international election observation team.

When the team is stranded overnight, the German man meditates on his life's shortcomings and his failed relationship with his son. The Woman at the Gas Station is the story of a long time marriage that is trying to rejuvenate itself. The men in both of these stories are world weary.Schlink is a skilled storyteller. His characters are well developed and interesting. A thoroughly enjoyable read. In ‘The Reader’ Bernard Schlink utilized an affair between a teenage boy and an SS solder to explore the relationship between Germany’s past and present. Through his unsympathetic, blunt and distinctive prose he investigates the wider effects of concentration camps beyond terrified Jews huddled in gas chambers.

The result is astounding; an erotic, tragic, and beautiful narrative demonstrating how morals blur, and love changes.In ‘Flights of Love’ Schlink is just as unforgiving in his style and s In ‘The Reader’ Bernard Schlink utilized an affair between a teenage boy and an SS solder to explore the relationship between Germany’s past and present. Through his unsympathetic, blunt and distinctive prose he investigates the wider effects of concentration camps beyond terrified Jews huddled in gas chambers. The result is astounding; an erotic, tragic, and beautiful narrative demonstrating how morals blur, and love changes.In ‘Flights of Love’ Schlink is just as unforgiving in his style and structure, and just as sensual and heart-breaking, but he takes the idea of relationships in a post-war Germany to a new high. Seven short stories present every possible circumstance surrounding the traditional ideals of love, and butchers through the surface to reveal the cold hard truths laying beneath.

Over and over, he asks the question: what is love if it even exists?Each story follows well crafted characters through the often traumatic relationships. A man who becomes obsessed by a girl in a painting; a look at desire, and love as an object; a man who systematically falls in love with three different women and subsequently meets his comeuppance; is love monogamous? Is love selfish? These stories will haunt you with questions for days after you read them. Their depth is laced elegantly with strong conviction, and genuinely beautiful moments of prose.This is a collection which brings to the foreground a nation ashamed of its past and searching for its future.

Schlink combines ethical reasoning we as humans use everyday with the theories behind social interaction, and forces us to ask ourselves questions for which there are no universal answers. I always think I do not like short stories. But these stories are fantastic. Schlink gives us the unexpected resolution in a situation that seems to call for revenge and in which a peevish revenge is planned ('The Other Man'); the self-fertilized growth of life complications, the complexities of escape, and the creation of a community of 'trigamy' ('Sugar Peas'); the modern-day German and modern-day Jew in love and facing the hard questions ('The Circumcision'); the unexpected sadness of a d I always think I do not like short stories. But these stories are fantastic.

Schlink gives us the unexpected resolution in a situation that seems to call for revenge and in which a peevish revenge is planned ('The Other Man'); the self-fertilized growth of life complications, the complexities of escape, and the creation of a community of 'trigamy' ('Sugar Peas'); the modern-day German and modern-day Jew in love and facing the hard questions ('The Circumcision'); the unexpected sadness of a dream come true ('The Woman in the Gas Station').My favorites among the stories are The Circumcision and The Woman in the Gas Station. In the first, the question whether love can coexist with mutual blindness is resolved with quiet resignation. This story is charged with all the connotations of being German and being Jewish together. It is a sad story given the love that exists. In The Woman in a Gas Station, the literal (well, almost literal) realization of an actual dream upsets the rebuilding of a relationship in revitalized and happy ways. The question is what will make a person change direction drastically and in a second and what is the underlying foundation of a life that runs smoothly on the surface.I like this author's courage, his willingness to go to odd places, even ugly ones, as in his novel 'The Reader', to see the lines of humanity there, the fears, the irrationalities.

At first, I didn't realise that this was a book of short stories. However, I think Schlink is best suited to novels like The Reader. His short stories in this were built up beautifully, however they were rushed at the end, like he had run out of ideas to sustain the idea. Each one of these, with the exception of 'The Other Man' could have been crafted into novellas or longer short stories. I also feel like he is exhausting the Holocaust and German politics in the 1960's/70's by writing about the At first, I didn't realise that this was a book of short stories.

However, I think Schlink is best suited to novels like The Reader. His short stories in this were built up beautifully, however they were rushed at the end, like he had run out of ideas to sustain the idea. Each one of these, with the exception of 'The Other Man' could have been crafted into novellas or longer short stories. I also feel like he is exhausting the Holocaust and German politics in the 1960's/70's by writing about them and nothing else, again with the exception of 'The Other Man'. This short story, however, was beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time.I am slightly disappointed, but that may have been because I wasn't expecting seven short stories. Bernhard Schlink is a German jurist and writer.

He became a judge at the Constitutional Court of the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia in 1988 and has been a professor of public law and the philosophy of law at Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany since January 2006.His career as a writer began with several detective novels with a main character named Selb-a play on the German word for 'sel Bernhard Schlink is a German jurist and writer. He became a judge at the Constitutional Court of the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia in 1988 and has been a professor of public law and the philosophy of law at Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany since January 2006.His career as a writer began with several detective novels with a main character named Selb-a play on the German word for 'self.' In 1995 he published The Reader ( Der Vorleser), a partly autobiographical novel. The book became a bestseller both in Germany and the United States and was translated into 39 languages. It was the first German book to reach the number one position in the New York Times bestseller list.

Publication datePages218 ppThe Reader (: Der Vorleser) is a novel by German law professor and judge, published in Germany in 1995 and in the United States in 1997. The story is a, dealing with the difficulties post-war German generations have had comprehending the; writes that it was aimed specifically at the generation called the Nachgeborenen, those who came after. Like other novels in the genre of, the struggle to come to terms with the past, The Reader explores how the post-war generations should approach the generation that took part in, or witnessed, the atrocities. These are the questions at the heart of Holocaust literature in the late 20th and early 21st century, as the victims and witnesses die and living memory fades.Schlink's book was well received in his native country and elsewhere, winning several awards. Wrote that it was one of the greatest triumphs of German literature since 's.

It sold 500,000 copies in Germany and was listed 14th of the 100 favorite books of German readers in a television poll in 2007. It won the German in 1998, and became the first German book to top The New York Times bestselling books list. It has been translated into 45 different languages and has been included in the curricula of college-level courses in Holocaust literature and German language and German literature.

It was adapted by into the 2008 directed by; the film was nominated for five, with winning for her portrayal of Hanna Schmitz.