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Beware of Pity

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About this listen

In the twilight of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, a young cavalry officer is invited to a dance at the home of a rich landowner.

There - with a small act of attempted charity - he commits a simple faux pas. But from this seemingly insignificant blunder comes a tale of catastrophe arising from kindness and of honour poisoned by self-regard.

Beware of Pity has all the intensity and the formidable sense of torment and of character of the very best of Zweig's work. Definitive translation by the award-winning Anthea Bell.

©1976 Atrium Press, 2011 Anthea Bell (P)2017 Ukemi Productions Ltd Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction

Critic reviews

"Zweig’s fictional masterpiece." ( Guardian)
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I should probably have expected how bleak this book is given the title, but I think it is exceeded even my pessimistic expectations. None of the characters are likeable, but the story is compelling. Anton just keeps making terrible decisions!
Performed well by the narrator.

Fairly bleak!

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loved the insight into pre ww1 Austria and officer class, and life in a small town in Austria Hungary empire. The story touches upon many themes, class, social structure, anti semitism, disability and love.

captivating struggle of human morality

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I purchased this book as it was an inspiration for the film Hotel grounds for the pest BudapestThe depth of detail in each character is phenomenal, the writer has thought about every feeling and insecurity that each character has that current moment.
It would be possible to make three separate novels from this one book so be prepared for a long read and as I was listening on audible I find myself listening at a faster speed but this was purely because of the narrators velocity of speech.

Best written book I have read.

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I came across s writer fairly recently and have been hugely impressed. I strongly recommend his book All our Yesterdays and Pity is his only full novel.
Excellent narration and translation. More works translated into English please.

A wonderful discovery

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I am glad I read it! I was a little underwhelmed. I I enjoyed the appendices! There were two short stories worth reading on their own within the whole

The ending

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