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Title: disjointed, meandering and ultimately not affective
Review: Throughout my reading of this book I was anxiously awaiting the point where I would be impacted by the large, important, affecting themes Sebald confronts. It never happened.The book tells the story of four different characters that left their native land, and settled elsewhere. They all suffer from deep depression and have some connection to the Holocaust. None of their lives intersect, although they share this similar past. The individual stories aimlessly move through each of the character's past with a tepid tone and abrupt, unfulfilled ending. None of the characters are particularly interesting, and those that have an unusual story - like an unlikely feted artist - are stripped of any life through a centerless story.For those that are interested in the areas of emigration, the Holocaust - read some other novels/factual accounts. Afterwards, think about them as a whole and you'll be greatly more affected than these four sterile accounts.
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