Winter Shoes for Cross-Country Running

…The brilliant narrative makes itself felt in the captivating integrity of language and style…

…one cannot but admire the terse and aphoristic homespun wisdom…

…but, once again, the undoubted brio of the style makes up for any shortcomings. The portrayals of the “fiancés” are among the most striking features of the book, including, of course, the self-portrait, which wins a reader’s heart. A little bitterness, like the flavour of a good wine, provides the aftertaste that is tantamount to aesthetic appreciation…