The Pigeon (International Writers)
Registered by saskiasosmile of Whitby, North Yorkshire United Kingdom on 4/9/2011
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
20 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by saskiasosmile from Whitby, North Yorkshire United Kingdom on Saturday, April 9, 2011
Paperback. Different front cover.
Suskind traces the story of Jonathan Noel, whose life evolves smoothly until his dark encounter with a beady-eyed, diabolical pigeon...
Suskind traces the story of Jonathan Noel, whose life evolves smoothly until his dark encounter with a beady-eyed, diabolical pigeon...
Journal Entry 2 by saskiasosmile at Whitby, North Yorkshire United Kingdom on Saturday, April 9, 2011
Released 13 yrs ago (4/9/2011 UTC) at Whitby, North Yorkshire United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
For Easterexchange 2011. From Katrinats's wishlist, off in the post!
Happy Easter!
Happy Easter!
Thanks so much for sending this, I've wanted to read it since I read Perfume. When I've read this I will probably send it off as a bookring as I know its on the 1001 books to read before you die list and many people join rays/rings for those books. Thanks again
What a strange little book! Read this in less than an hour, very different to Perfume but also very exact in its style. Thanks for sharing i'm going to organise a bookray for this one, hopefully it'll get quite a few readers.
Off to start the bookray, I hope everyone enjoys this strange little book. I'm impressed by the amount of people interested in reading it, lets hope it stays safe on its travels.
I've added a post card with one of my favourite short poems, it would be great if other people could add theirs so that this teeny package hosts two reading experiences - no pressure though.
The list at the moment
Danielle23 = UK, pref UK
kingfan30 = UK, pref EU
Caroley = UK, pref EU
Cassiopaeia = UK
Flutterbies9 = UK, UK pref
brunton11 = UK, anywhere
mafarrimond, uk, anywhere *its here
Totje2 = Netherlands, pref EU
Tubereader = Beguium, EU pref
Simson-Shilitoe = France
Nakipa = Portugal
okyrhoe = Greece, INTL
sfogs = Auz, pref auz/nz
cat 207, Aus, INTL
oppem = USA, pref USA
I've added a post card with one of my favourite short poems, it would be great if other people could add theirs so that this teeny package hosts two reading experiences - no pressure though.
The list at the moment
Danielle23 = UK, pref UK
kingfan30 = UK, pref EU
Caroley = UK, pref EU
Cassiopaeia = UK
Flutterbies9 = UK, UK pref
brunton11 = UK, anywhere
mafarrimond, uk, anywhere *its here
Totje2 = Netherlands, pref EU
Tubereader = Beguium, EU pref
Simson-Shilitoe = France
Nakipa = Portugal
okyrhoe = Greece, INTL
sfogs = Auz, pref auz/nz
cat 207, Aus, INTL
oppem = USA, pref USA
The book has arrived safely and I will start reading it now. I'm not the biggest poetry fan in the world but there are a few children's poems that amuse both me and the children I work with. I'm sure I'll think of something to put in there xx
Journal Entry 7 by Danielle23 at Sunderland, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Wednesday, June 8, 2011
I found this a strange little book and I can't believe that 1 pigeon can cause so much disruption. The poor man seemed to have some serious deep-rooted problem though that was never explained although I felt it was something to do with the army. He was slightly annoying at times though and I just wanted to shout at him to shoo the pigeon, but then again I'm not that scared of a pigeon that I'd go and live in a hotel, haha.
A short and brisk read and another to tick off the list. Thanks for sharing katrinat xx
A short and brisk read and another to tick off the list. Thanks for sharing katrinat xx
Journal Entry 8 by Danielle23 at Sunderland, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom on Saturday, June 25, 2011
Released 12 yrs ago (6/25/2011 UTC) at Sunderland, Tyne and Wear United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Off to kingfan30, the next in line xx
Book has arrived safe and sound with some lovely postcards. I have the typical bus situation going on at the moment and have three books before this one, they are all quite short so it should not be too long before I start it, thanks for sharing xx
17 July 11 - this is why I love the 1001 list, I would probably never have picked this book up otherwise along with many others. The name is a bit deceiving as it is not really about a pigeon, it is about the way Jonathans day is effected following a chance meeting with a pigeon in the morning. To decide to stay on a hotel rather than go back home seemed a bit extreme, although I have changed to the spare room before because there was a spider in mine, I guess phobias are funny things! His early life is summed up in about the five pages and I wonder if it is something in his past that made him react the way he did. It's a bit rambling in placed but on the whole I enjoyed it, although not quite as much as Perfume.
17 July 11 - this is why I love the 1001 list, I would probably never have picked this book up otherwise along with many others. The name is a bit deceiving as it is not really about a pigeon, it is about the way Jonathans day is effected following a chance meeting with a pigeon in the morning. To decide to stay on a hotel rather than go back home seemed a bit extreme, although I have changed to the spare room before because there was a spider in mine, I guess phobias are funny things! His early life is summed up in about the five pages and I wonder if it is something in his past that made him react the way he did. It's a bit rambling in placed but on the whole I enjoyed it, although not quite as much as Perfume.
Book (and postcards) on its way
Received today thanks, along with the postcards. Nice idea, I have the perfect quote for mine.
I'm near the start of a 750 page epic at the moment but will read this as soon as I can and get it passed along.
I'm near the start of a 750 page epic at the moment but will read this as soon as I can and get it passed along.
I was really looking forward to this as I loved Perfume, and I wasn't disappointed. It's difficult to know what to say without putting spoilers in, but I will say that I didn't find Noel's reaction over the top, knowing how I behave around spiders and other creepy crawlies. Sometimes it doesn't take much...
Thanks so much for sharing this one Katrinat. I'll get it on its way again asap.
Thanks so much for sharing this one Katrinat. I'll get it on its way again asap.
Released 12 yrs ago (8/5/2011 UTC) at Birmingham, West Midlands United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Apologies for the delay in posting but it is on its way to Cassiopaeia now.
Arived this morning, thank you. Will read soon.
A totally absorbing novella, definitely best read in one sitting to get its full impact.
I’m not sure if this was a phobia or a catalyst but it certainly had a traumatic effect; I felt that Suskind really allowed me to see inside Jonathan’s head in a very subtle yet powerful way.
Waiting to hear from Flutterbies9
I’m not sure if this was a phobia or a catalyst but it certainly had a traumatic effect; I felt that Suskind really allowed me to see inside Jonathan’s head in a very subtle yet powerful way.
Waiting to hear from Flutterbies9
By Royal Mail to Flutterbies9.
Received safely today (with its cards too), thanks.
Sorry for the delay, don't know what happened to my first pm but glad all is back on track again now.
I'm sure I'll think of a suitable 'something' to add to the collection.
Sorry for the delay, don't know what happened to my first pm but glad all is back on track again now.
I'm sure I'll think of a suitable 'something' to add to the collection.
Have to agree with the review of Cassiopaeia on this one. A really interestingly intense novella which was full of what could have been an intense obsessive compulsive disorder thrown into disarray for a moment in time. Beautifully written.
Thanks for sharing this one. Have contacted the next in line and will send asap now.
Thanks for sharing this one. Have contacted the next in line and will send asap now.
Journal Entry 19 by Flutterbies9 at -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Saturday, September 3, 2011
Released 12 yrs ago (9/3/2011 UTC) at -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Put in the post for next person.
Journal Entry 20 by 
brunton11
at Salford, Greater Manchester United Kingdom on Tuesday, September 6, 2011
brunton11 at Salford, Greater Manchester United Kingdom on Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Arrived today. Thanks for sharing.
Journal Entry 21 by brunton11 at Salford, Greater Manchester United Kingdom on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
brunton11 at Salford, Greater Manchester United Kingdom on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
This book made me smile. Sometimes you just have those days where everything that can and will go wrong does and blows small events out of proportion. A quick read and very different to 'Perfume'.
Thanks all for sharing. I'll get this book in the post to mafarrimond tomorrow.
Thanks all for sharing. I'll get this book in the post to mafarrimond tomorrow.
The book has arrived safely. Next to be read.
Short and intense. I know a few people like Jonathan Noel!! I really enjoyed this book.
Posted on!
Journal Entry 25 by Boekentrol at Leeuwarden, Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands on Tuesday, October 18, 2011
This little book arrived safely in my mailbox today. Look forward to read it. Thanks for sending, mafarrimond!
Journal Entry 26 by Boekentrol at Leeuwarden, Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands on Sunday, November 20, 2011
A strange book.
At times I got annoyed by the main character, how a grown man could let fear of a pigeon in the hallway dictate his life (even though it is oly for a limited time).
I loved the way 'life' was described though: how the smallest thing can stirr up a person's ordinary orderly life.
A nice book to read :-) Thanks for making it a ray, katrinat.
I've sent Tubereader a PM for his /her address.
At times I got annoyed by the main character, how a grown man could let fear of a pigeon in the hallway dictate his life (even though it is oly for a limited time).
I loved the way 'life' was described though: how the smallest thing can stirr up a person's ordinary orderly life.
A nice book to read :-) Thanks for making it a ray, katrinat.
I've sent Tubereader a PM for his /her address.
Journal Entry 27 by Boekentrol at Leeuwarden, Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands on Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Tubereader does not respond to PM's and it seems that they're not so active at the moment. I'll send a PM to Simson-Shilitoe to send on this little book.
ETA that I did receive a reaction by Tubereader. The book will be tavelling to Belgium (Tuberreader) instead of Germany (Simson-Shilitoe), continuing on it original course.
Sorry if I got you a bit confused!
ETA that I did receive a reaction by Tubereader. The book will be tavelling to Belgium (Tuberreader) instead of Germany (Simson-Shilitoe), continuing on it original course.
Sorry if I got you a bit confused!
Journal Entry 28 by Boekentrol at Leeuwarden, Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands on Thursday, December 1, 2011
Released 12 yrs ago (12/2/2011 UTC) at Leeuwarden, Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
This little book will go on a journey again, to Tubereader.
I hope it arrives safe and soon. Happy reading!
I hope it arrives safe and soon. Happy reading!
Journal Entry 29 by Tubereader at Bruxelles / Brussel, Bruxelles / Brussel Belgium on Tuesday, December 20, 2011
The book arrived safely last Friday and I have already finished reading it as it is a short one.
The book is interesting. Of course Jonathan is a strange character, but I think that something similar can happen to anyone. It just depends how you look at things. Every day we have some small "disturbances" and it is up to us to decide how they will affect us.
I'll PM Simson-Shilitoe for their address.
The book is interesting. Of course Jonathan is a strange character, but I think that something similar can happen to anyone. It just depends how you look at things. Every day we have some small "disturbances" and it is up to us to decide how they will affect us.
I'll PM Simson-Shilitoe for their address.
Journal Entry 30 by Tubereader at Luxembourg / Lëtzebuerg, Kanton Luxemburg Luxembourg on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Released 12 yrs ago (2/15/2012 UTC) at Luxembourg / Lëtzebuerg, Kanton Luxemburg Luxembourg
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
The book has finally been sent (really sorry for the delay, life came in between bookcrossing and me...).
Hope the next readers enjoy the book!
Hope the next readers enjoy the book!
Journal Entry 31 by Simson-Shilitoe at Neewiller-près-Lauterbourg, Alsace France on Saturday, February 18, 2012
The book arrived safe and sound in today`s mail.
I will start with this book tomorrow. ..... And there is no problem with the delay. I think it is more important that you have the opportunity to sort out your problems than to read a book in a short time.
Thank you, Tubereader, for posting.
And thank you, Katrinat, for including me in this bookray.
I will start with this book tomorrow. ..... And there is no problem with the delay. I think it is more important that you have the opportunity to sort out your problems than to read a book in a short time.
Thank you, Tubereader, for posting.
And thank you, Katrinat, for including me in this bookray.
Journal Entry 32 by Simson-Shilitoe at Neewiller-près-Lauterbourg, Alsace France on Sunday, February 19, 2012
As a master of allusion and obsession, Suskind reveals once more, in this parable of everyday life, his gift for building a metaphor of the existential background of humans. It shows that our life usually holds to rutines so fragile, that a simple disturbance may force us to rethink everything from the start. It is a short book, but an intriguing and absurd tale. The absurd, seems to say Suskind, is present in the most simple things that happen every day.
Posting to Nakipa as soon as I get an postal address.
Posting to Nakipa as soon as I get an postal address.
Journal Entry 33 by Simson-Shilitoe at Rülzheim, Rheinland-Pfalz Germany on Monday, February 20, 2012
On its way now to Nakipa in Portugal. Happy reading and a happy journey with lots of fun in the streets at the moment .....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QTpHLy5Fgg
The book arrived Friday... Next on my reading list so I hope not to take too much time to read it. :D
After reading two disappointing books, this was a very welcomed book. I loved the perfume, one of my favorite books of all times, and I never had the opportunity to read any more by him. After this positive experience, I hope I can read many more. :D
Off to Greece, to the next reader. I hope you enjoy. :D
Arrived in Athens.Thanks katrinat for including me in the bookray, and Nakipa for posting the book to me!
Not sure what to make of this short story (printed and marketed as a 77-page large-type novella).
There's a bit of Kafkaesque dystopia, a bit of the Germanic sense of macabre (Dürrenmatt comes to mind), and plenty of Freudian psychosis.
Is it a meticulous account of a disturbing day in the life of an obsessive-compulsive recluse whose sense of order is shattered by the disturbing presence of a defiling pigeon?
Or is it a metaphorical tale of post-war European absurdia - a time of freedom, peace and prosperity but just as cruel & inhumane as the preceding period of soul-and-bone- crushing totalitarianism?
There's a bit of Kafkaesque dystopia, a bit of the Germanic sense of macabre (Dürrenmatt comes to mind), and plenty of Freudian psychosis.
Is it a meticulous account of a disturbing day in the life of an obsessive-compulsive recluse whose sense of order is shattered by the disturbing presence of a defiling pigeon?
Or is it a metaphorical tale of post-war European absurdia - a time of freedom, peace and prosperity but just as cruel & inhumane as the preceding period of soul-and-bone- crushing totalitarianism?
Journal Entry 39 by okyrhoe at book ring/ray, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Released 12 yrs ago (4/10/2012 UTC) at book ring/ray, By Mail/Post/Courier -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
On its way by post to sfogs. Enjoy!
It's arrived safely in the shaky city of Christchurch, New Zealand.
A very strange little story. It's horriable what a phobia can do, though I find it strange that he has never come across a Pigeon and been afraid of it before. Or is it that it was in his 'scantuary' and because that was different or wrong to what was normal for him, he is psychologically thrown off balance for that day?
Will post it tomorrow.
Will post it tomorrow.
Released 11 yrs ago (4/24/2012 UTC) at Christchurch, Canterbury New Zealand
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Wasn't able to post it as soon as I would have liked.
But it's in the post and on it's was to Aussie :)
But it's in the post and on it's was to Aussie :)
Arrived in today's mail. Thank you, Sfogs for sending, and katrinat for including me in the bookray.
What a downward spiral - each successive incident blows everything out of proportion.
On to oppem in tomorrow's mail.
On to oppem in tomorrow's mail.
Arrived today - thanks cat207 for mailing onto me ..
I have one book to finish reading, another that is top priority & then this one should be next.
Looking forward to reading it.
I have one book to finish reading, another that is top priority & then this one should be next.
Looking forward to reading it.
Jonathan Noel has found one way to cope with the world around him & that is by being an introvert & consequently cutting himself off from the rest of the world. He lives his life mechanically - each day the same - no thought required. He is happy & contented or so he believes.
UNTIL, one morning a stray pigeon gets trapped just outside his door... This man who is so controlled, remote & removed from reality is suddenly confronted by a bird... birds are not predicable, they do not always do what we expect... for Jonathan this seems like a threat to his very existance and thus begins a day like no other...
I found myself in the middle of this short novella wondering if he was going to turn to violence but to quote from the author - "He was not a man of action. He was a man of resignation"....
Quite an amazing look at a day in the life of one simple, ordinary man...
UNTIL, one morning a stray pigeon gets trapped just outside his door... This man who is so controlled, remote & removed from reality is suddenly confronted by a bird... birds are not predicable, they do not always do what we expect... for Jonathan this seems like a threat to his very existance and thus begins a day like no other...
I found myself in the middle of this short novella wondering if he was going to turn to violence but to quote from the author - "He was not a man of action. He was a man of resignation"....
Quite an amazing look at a day in the life of one simple, ordinary man...
Oppem, the Bookcrosser who previously journalled this book, passed away on June 23, 2012. I had the privilege today of meeting her dear family and "catching" her large collection of registered books.
It looks as if she was the last one on this ray, so I'm not sure there's anyone that I necessarily "must" send it to. I think I will set it aside to RABCK for a wishlist gift since it's received so many great JEs.
It looks as if she was the last one on this ray, so I'm not sure there's anyone that I necessarily "must" send it to. I think I will set it aside to RABCK for a wishlist gift since it's received so many great JEs.
Journal Entry 48 by 
elizardbreath
at A Bookcrosser in A BookCrosser, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Monday, July 9, 2012
elizardbreath at A Bookcrosser in A BookCrosser, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Monday, July 9, 2012
Released 11 yrs ago (7/9/2012 UTC) at A Bookcrosser in A BookCrosser, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Sending, by request, to Vasha. Enjoy!
To the finder of this book:
This book is gift, no strings attached, from me to you. You may keep it forever, pass it along to a friend, or release it into the wild to be found by someone else.
If you are new to BookCrossing, welcome! Enjoy the site, the book, and the BookCrossing community. I hope you'll join us...it's free! If you do, please consider using me, elizardbreath, as your referring member. You can even remain anonymous if you wish!
I hope you'll make a brief journal entry so all the previous and future readers can track this book's journey.
Thanks, and Happy BookCrossing! :)
To the finder of this book:
This book is gift, no strings attached, from me to you. You may keep it forever, pass it along to a friend, or release it into the wild to be found by someone else.
If you are new to BookCrossing, welcome! Enjoy the site, the book, and the BookCrossing community. I hope you'll join us...it's free! If you do, please consider using me, elizardbreath, as your referring member. You can even remain anonymous if you wish!
I hope you'll make a brief journal entry so all the previous and future readers can track this book's journey.
Thanks, and Happy BookCrossing! :)
Reserved for the 1001 Library.
This short, tightly-written novella is pervaded by a dark intensity. Süskind has been admired for his exploration of psychological themes and possesses a skill for closely drawing society’s outsider individuals and their peculiarities. Jonathan Noel, a somewhat eccentric everyman, is a bank guard in his fifties who leads an almost automated existence of monotonous uniformity. He has withdrawn from all but the most perfunctory necessities of social interaction. Instead of depending upon people, who in his youth had consistently let him down or disappeared, Noel relies for stability on the simplicity of uneventfulness and the security of familiar surroundings and routines. The novella takes place over twenty-four hours, beginning with an early morning encounter with a pigeon outside the studio apartment Noel has occupied for over thirty years. Looking into the bird’s eye, which seems devoid of life, Noel is precipitated into what is commonly and crudely known as a midlife crisis. The event is to disrupt and deeply disturb not only his regimen but also his carefully maintained internal equilibrium. For the first time in his life he finds himself inattentive at work and unable to return home; for the first time he questions the meaningfulness of the existence he has built for himself. Powerful for its potential universality, this short tale is also a persuasive examination of how an apparently trivial if unusual occurrence can force the self into new perspectives. — Jennifer Cooke in 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die
Thanks so much for your donation Vasha!
This book is now part of the 1001-library. If you want to take this book from the library but don't know how to proceed, please refer to the 1001-library bookshelf.
Journal Entry 52 by Vasha at Collegetown Bagels, 203 North Aurora St. in Ithaca, New York USA on Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Released 7 yrs ago (4/27/2016 UTC) at Collegetown Bagels, 203 North Aurora St. in Ithaca, New York USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
On the swap shelf.
