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A Love Song for the Sad Man in the White Coat
Simon had always expected love to feel different than this. Whether it was his Catholic upbringing or the poetry he'd read - Simon had thought that true love would be uplifting, fulfilling, that it would give a meaning to his loitering, and add joy to his leisure. But not this kind of love. This love was a flesh-eating monster, sharp-clawed and evil-eyed, ravishing his mind with medieval cruelty.
Dr Simon Mráz is a respected specialist and lecturer at the Charles University in Prague. He is a serious man, responsible. His students call him The Cruel Doctor Frost not because he's unkind, but because of his unwavering, ice-cold composure. As a psychiatrist, he values sanity. And sanity can be found in work, restraint, and self-control.
Not many know of that one time in the past when The Cruel Doctor Frost lost his cool. His ill-advised, secret affair with a student left Simon deeply wounded. Since that day, every minute of Simon's life has been a struggle to remain sane, functioning. He's managed so far - as long as he is needed, as long as his work makes a difference, Simon can scrape together enough strength to get up in the morning and run off the nightmares. But when his friends begin drifting away, his beloved protégé becomes independent, and the man who bereaved Simon of his precious sanity might return... Simon's mind and body stop responding to his impressive willpower.
Dr Simon Mráz is a respected specialist and lecturer at the Charles University in Prague. He is a serious man, responsible. His students call him The Cruel Doctor Frost not because he's unkind, but because of his unwavering, ice-cold composure. As a psychiatrist, he values sanity. And sanity can be found in work, restraint, and self-control.
Not many know of that one time in the past when The Cruel Doctor Frost lost his cool. His ill-advised, secret affair with a student left Simon deeply wounded. Since that day, every minute of Simon's life has been a struggle to remain sane, functioning. He's managed so far - as long as he is needed, as long as his work makes a difference, Simon can scrape together enough strength to get up in the morning and run off the nightmares. But when his friends begin drifting away, his beloved protégé becomes independent, and the man who bereaved Simon of his precious sanity might return... Simon's mind and body stop responding to his impressive willpower.
230 pages, Paperback
First published December 15, 2017
55 people are currently reading
1035 people want to read
About the author
Roe Horvat
60Ìýbooks1,659ÌýfollowersQueer fiction author Roe Horvat was born in the former Czechoslovakia. Equipped with a dark sense of sarcasm and a penchant for Czech beer, Roe traveled Europe and finally settled in Sweden. He came out as transgender in 2017 and has been fabulous since. He loves Jane Austen, Douglas Adams, bad action movies, stand-up comedy, pale ale, and daiquiri, with equal passion. When not hiding in the studio doing graphics, he can be found trolling cafés in Gothenburg, writing, and people-watching.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 256 reviews
October 7, 2019
It's 3:00 am, and I'm sobbing while reading this book. I haven't slept at all, and I don't care. Nothing matters but the words on the page.
It's been a long, long time since I've felt this way about a story.
I decided to read this book after my family went to sleep, around 10 pm, and from the first page, I could not put it down. might be my current favorite author.
is so much more than meets the eye. And what's so interesting to me is that there are so many elements in it that I usually avoid in a story.
I really hate time jumps, and I struggle sometimes with excessive amounts of angst, and this story has flashbacks and time skips as well as some of the heaviest angst I've read in ages. But, honestly, the story is so freaking beautiful that every ounce of pain is worth it. I'd experience tears on my pillow time and time again to get a story like this one.
I wanted to live inside this book. I wanted it to end so I got to have a resolution, and I also NEVER wanted it to end. I wanted to kiss and punch and scream and laugh and cry. I felt all the emotions.
is not an easy story with an easy romance, but the love between the two MCs is so powerful that it withstood time and anger and more hurt than I would have thought possible to convey. The romance felt extremely real, and I felt my heart squeezing and expanding with every page.
I read the final chapters, the final words with baited breath. It is rare that I can say this, but was everything I could have hoped for and more. The story might not be for everyone, but it landed itself a spot on my favorites list.
goodreads|||
It's been a long, long time since I've felt this way about a story.
I decided to read this book after my family went to sleep, around 10 pm, and from the first page, I could not put it down. might be my current favorite author.
is so much more than meets the eye. And what's so interesting to me is that there are so many elements in it that I usually avoid in a story.
I really hate time jumps, and I struggle sometimes with excessive amounts of angst, and this story has flashbacks and time skips as well as some of the heaviest angst I've read in ages. But, honestly, the story is so freaking beautiful that every ounce of pain is worth it. I'd experience tears on my pillow time and time again to get a story like this one.
I wanted to live inside this book. I wanted it to end so I got to have a resolution, and I also NEVER wanted it to end. I wanted to kiss and punch and scream and laugh and cry. I felt all the emotions.
is not an easy story with an easy romance, but the love between the two MCs is so powerful that it withstood time and anger and more hurt than I would have thought possible to convey. The romance felt extremely real, and I felt my heart squeezing and expanding with every page.
I read the final chapters, the final words with baited breath. It is rare that I can say this, but was everything I could have hoped for and more. The story might not be for everyone, but it landed itself a spot on my favorites list.
goodreads|||
December 14, 2017
4.5
I've got to say Roe Horvat can do no wrong as far as I'm concerned.A lot more angsty than previous books but totally up my street.As usual,the writing and story telling is superb.
You get a brief introduction to Matej and his thoughts at the beginning of the story.A beautiful,enigmatic student who seems to have set his sights on a certain Lecturer,Dr Simon Mraz.
Fast forward a few years and the story continues from Simon's pov and for about half the book Matej remains someone only in Simon's thoughts.
Simon is struggling with,
-the aftermath of Matej,
And ,struggling,
-to understand what went wrong,
-and to move on with his life.
He has friends and a life he's reasonably content with but you get the impression his life is empty,almost like he's drifting along just going through the motions-something appears to be missing.
How will he feel/react when a ghost from the past enters his life again?
I'm being deliberately vague here,I really don't want to rehash the story.I firmly believe you should go into this one relatively blind BUT what I will say is that I was captivated as the story unfolded as you learn more about Matej and his actions.
I loved the references to and ,two 19th century poets.I hadn't heard of them and was quite fascinated by their story-was it a comparison to Simon and Matej's story? Possibly and very cleverly incorporated into the story.
Conclusion:
Beautiful,evocative writing,
Two flawed MC's who get a HFN which I could totally envisage turning into a HEA,
A European setting,which I've come to absolutely love in Roe Horvat's books,
A sensuality between the two men that was both believable and beautiful.
Highly Recommended.
Review copy provided.
I've got to say Roe Horvat can do no wrong as far as I'm concerned.A lot more angsty than previous books but totally up my street.As usual,the writing and story telling is superb.
You get a brief introduction to Matej and his thoughts at the beginning of the story.A beautiful,enigmatic student who seems to have set his sights on a certain Lecturer,Dr Simon Mraz.
Fast forward a few years and the story continues from Simon's pov and for about half the book Matej remains someone only in Simon's thoughts.
Simon is struggling with,
-the aftermath of Matej,
And ,struggling,
-to understand what went wrong,
-and to move on with his life.
He has friends and a life he's reasonably content with but you get the impression his life is empty,almost like he's drifting along just going through the motions-something appears to be missing.
How will he feel/react when a ghost from the past enters his life again?
I'm being deliberately vague here,I really don't want to rehash the story.I firmly believe you should go into this one relatively blind BUT what I will say is that I was captivated as the story unfolded as you learn more about Matej and his actions.
I loved the references to and ,two 19th century poets.I hadn't heard of them and was quite fascinated by their story-was it a comparison to Simon and Matej's story? Possibly and very cleverly incorporated into the story.
Conclusion:
Beautiful,evocative writing,
Two flawed MC's who get a HFN which I could totally envisage turning into a HEA,
A European setting,which I've come to absolutely love in Roe Horvat's books,
A sensuality between the two men that was both believable and beautiful.
Highly Recommended.
Review copy provided.
May 22, 2018
5 BIG stars
I loved this one so much! Brilliant writing!!! So much emotion and sadness, but just my cup of tea!
It was exactly what I want in a book: broken characters and angst. I can't seem to find good enough words to describe Simon. He was SO broken. It was painful to witness his struggles. This author surely knows how to evoke emotions. I was a mess while reading, but it just blew my mind. This story felt so real!
I don't want to give too much away, readers should experience it on their own.
I adored this book! And I can't wait to read more from Roe Horvat!!!
I loved this one so much! Brilliant writing!!! So much emotion and sadness, but just my cup of tea!
It was exactly what I want in a book: broken characters and angst. I can't seem to find good enough words to describe Simon. He was SO broken. It was painful to witness his struggles. This author surely knows how to evoke emotions. I was a mess while reading, but it just blew my mind. This story felt so real!
I don't want to give too much away, readers should experience it on their own.
I adored this book! And I can't wait to read more from Roe Horvat!!!
December 7, 2017
Full review when I'm at my laptop tomorrow because I need all the words to make sense when it comes to this amazing piece of work.
ETA Dec 7th: Right at the laptop now so this book. I'm not sure really what I want to say about it because - on the face of it - there's no one real single point of focus. It's a story which needs to be read to be experienced.
Not everyone is going to like it. I suspect it may be a marmite book because I honestly don't think you could be indifferent to it. It stirs passions. At times Simon infuriated me so much I could hardly think, at others I just wanted to pour all my love into his heart and stop him hurting.
This is also a very European book. It oozes out of every word. This is Prague in all her ancient and medieval glory, a city of contrasts, a city where a father could be a threatening violent alcoholic and it would pass under the water.
It's also a book about words, about emotions, about how the mind works. It's a book which touches on the life of one of my favourite poets and his crazy life with fellow poet and includes lines from one of my absolute favourite pieces of poetry
Once, if I remember rightly, my life was a feast where all hearts opened, and all wines flowed.
One evening I sat Beauty on my knees � And I found her bitter � And I reviled her.
(Find out more about him )
Rimbaud's relationship with Verlaine mirrors how Simon sees his with his young student Matej Chrs. He is left in limbo, all colour leached out of the world, relying only on his strength of will not to crumble.
Oh, I could go on about the symbolism, the beautiful use of words and imagery, I could tell you about how Simon slowly, oh so slowly, changed in my perception from a cold, locked off shell of a man into one who I just wanted to put in bubble wrap and protect from the ravages of his own staggering intellect.
And Matej. He's almost an enigma. For much of the book we only have Simon's remembrances and recollections. He seems flighty, willing to turn loose and perhaps unwittingly, inflict pain on those he professes to love the most.
But he's so much more than that and when he returns to the narrative in his own right, all the colours come flooding back, including the angry ones.
Roe Horvat is rapidly becoming one of my favourite authors. Their use of the English language to evoke emotions and inspire feelings really is genius.
#ARC received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
ETA Dec 7th: Right at the laptop now so this book. I'm not sure really what I want to say about it because - on the face of it - there's no one real single point of focus. It's a story which needs to be read to be experienced.
Not everyone is going to like it. I suspect it may be a marmite book because I honestly don't think you could be indifferent to it. It stirs passions. At times Simon infuriated me so much I could hardly think, at others I just wanted to pour all my love into his heart and stop him hurting.
This is also a very European book. It oozes out of every word. This is Prague in all her ancient and medieval glory, a city of contrasts, a city where a father could be a threatening violent alcoholic and it would pass under the water.
It's also a book about words, about emotions, about how the mind works. It's a book which touches on the life of one of my favourite poets and his crazy life with fellow poet and includes lines from one of my absolute favourite pieces of poetry
Once, if I remember rightly, my life was a feast where all hearts opened, and all wines flowed.
One evening I sat Beauty on my knees � And I found her bitter � And I reviled her.
(Find out more about him )
Rimbaud's relationship with Verlaine mirrors how Simon sees his with his young student Matej Chrs. He is left in limbo, all colour leached out of the world, relying only on his strength of will not to crumble.
Oh, I could go on about the symbolism, the beautiful use of words and imagery, I could tell you about how Simon slowly, oh so slowly, changed in my perception from a cold, locked off shell of a man into one who I just wanted to put in bubble wrap and protect from the ravages of his own staggering intellect.
And Matej. He's almost an enigma. For much of the book we only have Simon's remembrances and recollections. He seems flighty, willing to turn loose and perhaps unwittingly, inflict pain on those he professes to love the most.
But he's so much more than that and when he returns to the narrative in his own right, all the colours come flooding back, including the angry ones.
Roe Horvat is rapidly becoming one of my favourite authors. Their use of the English language to evoke emotions and inspire feelings really is genius.
#ARC received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
June 20, 2024
reread 06/2024
Reading this book feels to me like walking through a forest in november, in the rain, without umbrella, then coming home and being enveloped in a warm and cozy blanket and a loving embrace.
Still one of the most beautiful books for me.
I even read the last chapter titled "love " twice because I didn't want to let go of Simon and Matěj.
-------
Reread 11/2023.
Still one of my favorite books ever.
I care deeply for Simon and Matěj.
Everything I wrote in my previous reviews still stands.
This time I didn't read Dirty Mind beforehand, and it didn't dim my love for this book at all.
On a side note, it's the book with the least sex scenes from Roe Horvat, in my impression.
TW parental abuse (off page), depression, suicide (off page).
-----
Reread 06/2023.
All the stars.
One of my favorite books (ever).
I love Roe Horvat's writing, his unique ability to make me feel so much with the characters.
The storyline was beautiful, the characters (main and secondary) portrayed with care, the feelings deep and touching.
The story is diveded in 3 parts, the first and third in 2016 and the middle part takes place 3 years prior.
The focus of the story is on the characters (especially Simon).
I love every part of this book, and I'd want everyone to love Simon and Matěj as much I love them.
Especially Simon.
TW suicide and parental abuse, depression.
ps I'd suggest to read Dirty Mind before reading this. 💜
-------
read 04/2023
I'm so happy I found, and got to enjoy another extraordinary gem from Roe Horvat!
What I love in Roe Horvat's other earlier books is present here, too... characters I feel so connected to, it's unique how the author is able to make me feel their emotions with them. Their insecurities, dispair, love, feel real and touch me so much.. I love it. They are beautiful souls (yet in this story also damaged and sad) characters, struggling to find happiness.
This is the author's book with the least sex in it (from what I've read so far), there's maybe two scenes on page if I recall it right.
The story is told on two timelines, but it's done in a deeply satisfying way.
This was yet another stunning (earlier) book by Roe Horvat.
5 stars!
Reading this book feels to me like walking through a forest in november, in the rain, without umbrella, then coming home and being enveloped in a warm and cozy blanket and a loving embrace.
Still one of the most beautiful books for me.
I even read the last chapter titled "love " twice because I didn't want to let go of Simon and Matěj.
-------
Reread 11/2023.
Still one of my favorite books ever.
I care deeply for Simon and Matěj.
Everything I wrote in my previous reviews still stands.
This time I didn't read Dirty Mind beforehand, and it didn't dim my love for this book at all.
On a side note, it's the book with the least sex scenes from Roe Horvat, in my impression.
TW parental abuse (off page), depression, suicide (off page).
-----
Reread 06/2023.
All the stars.
One of my favorite books (ever).
I love Roe Horvat's writing, his unique ability to make me feel so much with the characters.
The storyline was beautiful, the characters (main and secondary) portrayed with care, the feelings deep and touching.
The story is diveded in 3 parts, the first and third in 2016 and the middle part takes place 3 years prior.
The focus of the story is on the characters (especially Simon).
I love every part of this book, and I'd want everyone to love Simon and Matěj as much I love them.
Especially Simon.
TW suicide and parental abuse, depression.
ps I'd suggest to read Dirty Mind before reading this. 💜
-------
read 04/2023
I'm so happy I found, and got to enjoy another extraordinary gem from Roe Horvat!
What I love in Roe Horvat's other earlier books is present here, too... characters I feel so connected to, it's unique how the author is able to make me feel their emotions with them. Their insecurities, dispair, love, feel real and touch me so much.. I love it. They are beautiful souls (yet in this story also damaged and sad) characters, struggling to find happiness.
This is the author's book with the least sex in it (from what I've read so far), there's maybe two scenes on page if I recall it right.
The story is told on two timelines, but it's done in a deeply satisfying way.
This was yet another stunning (earlier) book by Roe Horvat.
5 stars!
March 10, 2019
Full of angst, pain and feels, this book was right up my alley.
The sad and melancholic atmosphere was so bewitching to me.
I loved Simon, his quietness, his loneliness, his vulnerability so on-page. I find these elements so alluring in a character when they are well done. And seems to be a master at this.
And then we had Matěj, restless, beautiful, troubled but determined to be someone.
That being said, it took me a while to get into this, almost 35%. Besides, I felt that the "sadness" turned into "peaceful" to quick at the end of the book. It's not that I want them to stay miserable. But they went from 3 years apart to living together in a blink. So, there is that, the execution somehow didn't work so well for me. Hence 4 stars.
The sad and melancholic atmosphere was so bewitching to me.
I loved Simon, his quietness, his loneliness, his vulnerability so on-page. I find these elements so alluring in a character when they are well done. And seems to be a master at this.
And then we had Matěj, restless, beautiful, troubled but determined to be someone.
That being said, it took me a while to get into this, almost 35%. Besides, I felt that the "sadness" turned into "peaceful" to quick at the end of the book. It's not that I want them to stay miserable. But they went from 3 years apart to living together in a blink. So, there is that, the execution somehow didn't work so well for me. Hence 4 stars.
December 14, 2017
***3 Stars***
"Feelings are just unfulfilled wishes. In the end, actions determine our future."
Oh the anxiety is strong with this one. Have alcohol and a stress ball nearby.
The book unfolds in three parts. Each part building the anxiety and slowly unfolding the story of Simon and Matej.
Chapter 1 opens in the winter of 2012, Matej is intrigued and smitten with his teacher, Simon. He's running late for a test that Simon is conducting and debating with himself on whether he has the nerve to make a move on his enigmatic teacher. Ultimately, he decides he's gonna give it a shot.
Fast forward to Summer 2016, Matej is gone and Simon is a shell of a man. Since Matej's abrupt departure, Simon has been taking care of Matej's sister, Marta. The two are moving on with their lives after that disastrous night all those years ago when everything changed.
There's a black cloud of sadness and grief hanging over Part 1. The mystery of what happened all those years ago, and Simon's yearning for something he wasn't entirely sure he ever even fully had.
"It's been more than three years. Some days it feels like he's been gone forever. Some days I wake up and reach beside me expecting him to be there."
His sadness is heavy. It's affecting everything around him. His mood, his friends...he's pushing everyone away, while quietly wishing they were close. And on top of everything, Marta has decided she wants to look for Matej. Just when our curiosity is too much to bear and Simon reaches his breaking point...
The sadness flowed through Simon's veins slow and thick like mud. He thought maybe his limbs would break under the weight of his desperate longing. When something hurt this much, there had to be some tangible consequence to it. Simon eyed his arms and legs half expecting blood to start seeping through fabric. But nothing showed on the outside. He was embarrassingly healthy and intact.
We're transported to Part 2...how it all began.
Just as Matej was smitten and intrigued by Simon...so was the other man. Simon knew he was taking a risk starting anything with the man 7 years his junior, but he was too enraptured by Matej's energy, his intelligence, his beauty, his spark for life, and the comfort he felt in his presence. Their relationship wasn't easy, and it almost felt like a lifeline for both men.
Matej's home life was toxic and abusive. His father was a drunk and violent man and in order to protect his teenage sister, Matej made sure that all that venom was only ever directed at him. He found refuge, peace, and affection in Simon's arms. Being with Simon gave him the shelter his mind and heart needed.
And Simon needed Matej just as much. Matej pulled Simon out of his head. He gave him the simple pleasures he yearned for. Someone to spend time with, laugh with, maybe open himself up to...someone to hopefully melt the ice around his heart.
When Simon found himself at the center of the man's attention, those were easily the happiest minutes of his entire life. Everything in between lost color.
But both men were afraid. Afraid to fully give in to what they were feeling.
They both had trust issues. They were greedy cowards when it came to their emotions, gathering and hiding them away like a junkie's secret stash.
And then on that one horrible night...everything changed.
In Part 3 we're brought back to the present and the discovery that Matej has been found and Marta is bringing him home. And the anxiety just keeps climbing....so many questions need answers.
There are many moments while reading where it's difficult to like Simon or Matej. In Simon's depressive state, he's downright cruel to his friends at times. And Matej's decision making is hard to understand. For someone who went through so much to protect his sister, I can't wrap my head around his abandonment of her.
After all this buildup, Part 3 left me disappointed. Between Matej's self-loathing and Simon's anger...I lost all the love. I lost the connection to their affair all those years ago. Simon and Matej felt more like two strangers with a shared history, instead of two lovers reunited.
And then we get a rushed ending. Much too easily for me, the switch was flipped. After all that agony, it felt too simple and didn't ring true.
Overall, while I really love the way this story unfolded, and was expecting the angst...it was heavier than I thought it would be.
It was as if their whole relationship fell down the stairs. Wherever they touched, it hurt like fuck.
There's so much sadness and longing in this book. It's melancholy and bleak. I can handle all of that and the angst, and large quantities of it too, however, I need that thread of hope in my stories to know that everything is going to be okay. Here, I kept trying to find that thread of hope, something to hold on to, but I was never really sure if everything would be okay. And up until the very end (and in my opinion, maybe not even then) do you really know if it was all worth it.
While this definitely isn't an HEA, I would characterize it as a tentative HFN. There's still so much for Simon and Matej to work through. Whether they'll succeed? I don’t know, I have some doubts, but I don't doubt that they really want it...and each other.
One thing this book did do is cement the fact that I will pick up anything that Roe Horvat writes. They have a way of building ambiance in a scene and weaving words that makes you look at things in a new light. And I can't wait to see what's to come.
***ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review***
I'M SO DAMN EXCITED FOR THIS BOOK!!! has been one of my favorite books this year (if you haven't read it...well frankly, you're just not living your best life). Based on the tidbits we got in , this book is gonna be angsty as all hell....and I'm gonna gobble it up!!!
December 24, 2017
4 Stars
Matěj was Simon’s student and completely off-limits (not just because of teacher/student relationship, they have seven years age difference. It’s not really huge but apparently it was for Simon. And they couldn’t be openly gay in a homophobic society). One day Matěj gave Simon a note and by the end of that week Simon lost his control� But then a few months later Matěj left, without any explanation (at this time Simon was falling for him). After that Simon changed, he became a loner, a miserable, a sad man, a depressed doctor, he thinks of himself as a weak person and hates it! Oh, poor Simon! After almost four years he still couldn’t forget what Matěj did to him!
"He thought he was in love at one point in his life, but that love turned into an obnoxious chronic infection he was still desperately trying to get rid of."
This book was my first read by this author and definitely won’t be my last! Actually I found another of this author’s work! I really liked this book especially the last part (it contains three parts). The thing that I liked more about this story was the way the author expressed Simon’s emotions. It was written really beautiful and a bit sad! my issues with this book was I wanted more of Matěj’s POV and I wanted to read more of their happiness moments, I mean for the ending!
Told in multiple POV, 3rd person. It’s a standalone story with a HFN ending but you can find some deleted scenes and an epilogue in the author’s blog (That wasn't enough for me)! All in all, I liked it and I hope you enjoy it as well!
Matěj was Simon’s student and completely off-limits (not just because of teacher/student relationship, they have seven years age difference. It’s not really huge but apparently it was for Simon. And they couldn’t be openly gay in a homophobic society). One day Matěj gave Simon a note and by the end of that week Simon lost his control� But then a few months later Matěj left, without any explanation (at this time Simon was falling for him). After that Simon changed, he became a loner, a miserable, a sad man, a depressed doctor, he thinks of himself as a weak person and hates it! Oh, poor Simon! After almost four years he still couldn’t forget what Matěj did to him!
"He thought he was in love at one point in his life, but that love turned into an obnoxious chronic infection he was still desperately trying to get rid of."
This book was my first read by this author and definitely won’t be my last! Actually I found another of this author’s work! I really liked this book especially the last part (it contains three parts). The thing that I liked more about this story was the way the author expressed Simon’s emotions. It was written really beautiful and a bit sad! my issues with this book was I wanted more of Matěj’s POV and I wanted to read more of their happiness moments, I mean for the ending!
Told in multiple POV, 3rd person. It’s a standalone story with a HFN ending but you can find some deleted scenes and an epilogue in the author’s blog (That wasn't enough for me)! All in all, I liked it and I hope you enjoy it as well!
October 17, 2021
4.5 stars. This was so sad. Simon was in so much pain. So many feelings. I loved it so much, I love heartbreaking stories. This was an epic love story, overwhelming heartbreak and second chance.
The book is in three parts.
Now
Simon in pain and heartbroken. It’s been three years since Matej left. So much sadness.
It’s been more than three years. Some days it feels like he’s been gone forever. Some days I wake up and reach beside me expecting him to be there
Then
Simon and Matej falling in love. Matej is a beautiful light in Simon’s life. But at the same time, there is a darkness in Matej. Our two hurting men create beauty together. But it can not last. After a terrible night, Matej disappears.
“I wish I could be that person. I would love to be that person for you one day.� Simon took a breath. “But not now,� he murmured.
Now
Matej’s sister Marta found him. He comes back. Simon and Matej are both hurting. They have another chance at love.
“But tonight, my beautiful boy, the light is so bright I might as well be blind.�
I’m so happy I read it right after Dirty Mind, because Matej (Mattias)‘s pain was still fresh in my mind. This is Simon’s book, and we don’t see much of Matej. Knowing he was in Germany with a broken heart and regrets really helped me connect with him.
My only complaint about this beautiful story? After such a buildup, their first time together, their broken hearts, I found the ending abrupt and disappointing. I wanted more. More development. More scenes. A more solid HEA. I think there is a bonus epilogue through the author’s newsletter so I’ll try to find that.
The book is in three parts.
Now
Simon in pain and heartbroken. It’s been three years since Matej left. So much sadness.
It’s been more than three years. Some days it feels like he’s been gone forever. Some days I wake up and reach beside me expecting him to be there
Then
Simon and Matej falling in love. Matej is a beautiful light in Simon’s life. But at the same time, there is a darkness in Matej. Our two hurting men create beauty together. But it can not last. After a terrible night, Matej disappears.
“I wish I could be that person. I would love to be that person for you one day.� Simon took a breath. “But not now,� he murmured.
Now
Matej’s sister Marta found him. He comes back. Simon and Matej are both hurting. They have another chance at love.
“But tonight, my beautiful boy, the light is so bright I might as well be blind.�
I’m so happy I read it right after Dirty Mind, because Matej (Mattias)‘s pain was still fresh in my mind. This is Simon’s book, and we don’t see much of Matej. Knowing he was in Germany with a broken heart and regrets really helped me connect with him.
My only complaint about this beautiful story? After such a buildup, their first time together, their broken hearts, I found the ending abrupt and disappointing. I wanted more. More development. More scenes. A more solid HEA. I think there is a bonus epilogue through the author’s newsletter so I’ll try to find that.
December 31, 2018
This book won't be for everyone. It totally worked for me, though.
Horvat established his writing talent with The Layover and Dirty Mind. I'm a fan, and I was hooked from the first book.
This book, though, takes emotional pain to a new level.
Simon is a psychiatrist who also teaches medical students. Four years ago, he had a brief, heartfelt affair with a med student named Matej. Matej wasn't ready for anything serious, so Simon had resolved to let him go. Before he could, a tragedy struck Matej's family, and Matej hasn't been heard from since.
Three quarters of this book is Simon's heartbreak. Horvat made it tangible without being too much. I'm not big on the hurt/comfort theme, but I ate it up here. Simon's heartbreak over never seeing Matej again, never hearing his voice, never feeling his light was a palpable presence while reading this.
This book nailed heartbreak better than I can remember reading. And that's what will stick with me most.
I wouldn't rate it highly without a happy ending, of course.
Simon is not a likable MC. He is gruff and pessimistic. He can't even be happy for his best friend when he announces that he's engaged. And Matej isn't immediately likable either. How can he be when we literally feel Simon's pain over losing him with every word written?
This was a powerful story. But Horvat hasn't written one yet, that I've read, that isn't.
It will stay with me for a while.
Horvat established his writing talent with The Layover and Dirty Mind. I'm a fan, and I was hooked from the first book.
This book, though, takes emotional pain to a new level.
Simon is a psychiatrist who also teaches medical students. Four years ago, he had a brief, heartfelt affair with a med student named Matej. Matej wasn't ready for anything serious, so Simon had resolved to let him go. Before he could, a tragedy struck Matej's family, and Matej hasn't been heard from since.
When something hurt this much, there had to be some tangible consequence to it. Simon eyed his arms and legs half expecting blood to start seeping through the fabric.
Three quarters of this book is Simon's heartbreak. Horvat made it tangible without being too much. I'm not big on the hurt/comfort theme, but I ate it up here. Simon's heartbreak over never seeing Matej again, never hearing his voice, never feeling his light was a palpable presence while reading this.
This book nailed heartbreak better than I can remember reading. And that's what will stick with me most.
"You've ruined me. You've ruined my life. And I thought there had to be a damned good reason for you to disappear on me."
I wouldn't rate it highly without a happy ending, of course.
Simon is not a likable MC. He is gruff and pessimistic. He can't even be happy for his best friend when he announces that he's engaged. And Matej isn't immediately likable either. How can he be when we literally feel Simon's pain over losing him with every word written?
This was a powerful story. But Horvat hasn't written one yet, that I've read, that isn't.
It will stay with me for a while.
December 15, 2017
*4,5 stars*
After and which I both enjoyed immensely, I was really looking forward to read more by Roe Horvat. And what can I say � this author knows how to get under my skin!
Oh Simon! He tore my heart out and I ached for him in the best possible way! No doubt, this is angstier than the previous two books, but that’s exactly what really clinched it for me!
Simon is one of the most torn characters I’ve come across. Brought up by very Catholic, conservative (and pretty unbearable) parents in a country where being gay is still something unspeakable, Simon has never been at ease with who he is.
That is, until he meets Matej, who is seven years his junior and a man flamboyantly gay (and proud of it!) Although Matej is Simon’s student to start with, he simply can’t keep away from this beautiful, joyous, young man. They basically spontaneously combust when they meet, and Simon FEELS for the first time. And so much!
Expressing himself in a relationship or allowing himself to pursue his desires openly isn’t something Simon has thought possible. But that’s not all that has been keeping him back. Right from the beginning there’s this very dark, dense cloud hanging over his head, affecting everything he does and says and how he views life and love.
That’s when he realized he was falling in love. Through fear. Nothing pleasant about that emotion, that was for sure. Was not love supposed to be uplifting and fulfilling? Yet all Simon could comprehend of the emotion was dread � of being left behind, not being loved back.
And that’s of course exactly what happens: One day after some serious family drama, Matej disappears without an explanation a few months into their relationship and leaves Simon behind. And Simon can’t cope. Slowly, he starts to fall apart. While he’s trying to keep up the pretense on the outside, he’s gradually spiraling into a dark abyss, drowning in bitter sarcasm and self-loathing. It is �
As if losing Matej broke something in Simon, some part of this complicated machine that was his brain and body had been malfunctioning ever since.
Simon is a psychiatrist, so his rational part knows what’s wrong, but it is hard to admit.
The Big Bad Truth was going to catch him, rip him apart and swallow him like a bag of cookies, leaving small lifeless crumbs of Simon on the ground to be eaten by Prague’s most disease-infected pigeons.
There it was. The D-word transformed yet again. Now it was a pool of tar. The more Simon trashed around, the deeper he sank into the blind heavy wetness. It seeped into his pores, glued his eyes and ears shut. It got into his mouth robbing him of taste. It stuck to his fingers tarnishing his touch, blackened his lungs and poisoned his mind.
Being part of his turmoil is heart-breaking and intense because Roe Horvat’s writing is simply amazing! I admit that it hit me on a very personal level and so deeply I sometimes felt I was the one in Simon’s shoes.
The depth of feeling the author creates, the tension they build throughout the book, the way they describe the intricate workings of Simon’s mind is breath-taking and kept me totally captivated. I adored the lyricism of Roe Horvat’s language, the expressive imagery and that tide of emotions they stirred up!
I also loved how the author cleverly unfolds the story by going back and forth in time and switching POVs. So effective! As are the secondary characters � Marta, Mike and Lukas I genuinely liked (particularly Marta and the way she develops!)
Not to forget - full marks for the originality of the title and the names of the chapters!
And because you might wonder � yes, this does end on a very positive note, so no worries there!
Highly recommended!
ARC graciously received from author in exchange for an honest review
After and which I both enjoyed immensely, I was really looking forward to read more by Roe Horvat. And what can I say � this author knows how to get under my skin!
Oh Simon! He tore my heart out and I ached for him in the best possible way! No doubt, this is angstier than the previous two books, but that’s exactly what really clinched it for me!
Simon is one of the most torn characters I’ve come across. Brought up by very Catholic, conservative (and pretty unbearable) parents in a country where being gay is still something unspeakable, Simon has never been at ease with who he is.
That is, until he meets Matej, who is seven years his junior and a man flamboyantly gay (and proud of it!) Although Matej is Simon’s student to start with, he simply can’t keep away from this beautiful, joyous, young man. They basically spontaneously combust when they meet, and Simon FEELS for the first time. And so much!
Expressing himself in a relationship or allowing himself to pursue his desires openly isn’t something Simon has thought possible. But that’s not all that has been keeping him back. Right from the beginning there’s this very dark, dense cloud hanging over his head, affecting everything he does and says and how he views life and love.
That’s when he realized he was falling in love. Through fear. Nothing pleasant about that emotion, that was for sure. Was not love supposed to be uplifting and fulfilling? Yet all Simon could comprehend of the emotion was dread � of being left behind, not being loved back.
And that’s of course exactly what happens: One day after some serious family drama, Matej disappears without an explanation a few months into their relationship and leaves Simon behind. And Simon can’t cope. Slowly, he starts to fall apart. While he’s trying to keep up the pretense on the outside, he’s gradually spiraling into a dark abyss, drowning in bitter sarcasm and self-loathing. It is �
As if losing Matej broke something in Simon, some part of this complicated machine that was his brain and body had been malfunctioning ever since.
Simon is a psychiatrist, so his rational part knows what’s wrong, but it is hard to admit.
The Big Bad Truth was going to catch him, rip him apart and swallow him like a bag of cookies, leaving small lifeless crumbs of Simon on the ground to be eaten by Prague’s most disease-infected pigeons.
There it was. The D-word transformed yet again. Now it was a pool of tar. The more Simon trashed around, the deeper he sank into the blind heavy wetness. It seeped into his pores, glued his eyes and ears shut. It got into his mouth robbing him of taste. It stuck to his fingers tarnishing his touch, blackened his lungs and poisoned his mind.
Being part of his turmoil is heart-breaking and intense because Roe Horvat’s writing is simply amazing! I admit that it hit me on a very personal level and so deeply I sometimes felt I was the one in Simon’s shoes.
The depth of feeling the author creates, the tension they build throughout the book, the way they describe the intricate workings of Simon’s mind is breath-taking and kept me totally captivated. I adored the lyricism of Roe Horvat’s language, the expressive imagery and that tide of emotions they stirred up!
I also loved how the author cleverly unfolds the story by going back and forth in time and switching POVs. So effective! As are the secondary characters � Marta, Mike and Lukas I genuinely liked (particularly Marta and the way she develops!)
Not to forget - full marks for the originality of the title and the names of the chapters!
And because you might wonder � yes, this does end on a very positive note, so no worries there!
Highly recommended!
ARC graciously received from author in exchange for an honest review
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January 2, 2024How can an author with such a marvelous writing skills can limit themselves to writing pnr porn I’ll never understand (sorry to the ABO porn lovers but Roe Horvat could write real epic stories like this one) .I won’t rate this book though because despite the fact that I loved it with all my heart I didn’t find the love story convincing and that would drop my rating and I so don’t want to because I cried buckets with Simon, and his pain doesn’t deserve a low rating.
I don’t think the writing needs any more praises, we all know Roe Horvat’s prose is beautiful and raw and it makes you feel everything the characters feel. And that’s what happened here: they made me love Simon with my heart and soul. Other reviewers mentioned that Simon was hard to like but I totally disagree. Simon is exactly my kind of character. He has that quietness, that calmness and intensity I crave to see in my MM characters. He’s tender and quietly supportive of his younger lover, loyal, dedicated. And he loves so strongly and so intensely that it made sense that Matej’s leaving left him heartbroken and numb. I cursed Matej together with Simon. Cried when Simon cried, and cursed Matej some more. I can’t pretend to understand why did Simon fell for Matej, though and here is where the book lost me.Because the author didn’t manage to show us the real Matej. We saw Simon fall in love but not Matej. We get to know Simon’s feelings but never Matej’s. I thought I would love him, he seemed so interesting at first but then he kept taking Simon for granted and acting all squirrelly. We never get to know his reasons and when he fell for Simon. And what’s even worse is that we still didn’t know him by the end of the book. The rushed ending, the too easy forgiveness and make up , the unanswered questions.. It’s like the author didn’t even care about Matej.
Why did Matej leave? How could he leave his sister on the floor in a pool of blood and take off like that? Who did he think will take care of things? Why would he abandon his sister like that when he spent his whole life protecting her? Who did he think would take care of her in his absence? Because it’s not like he left a letter,at least asking Simon to do it. Why didn’t he send a miserable message to his sister ? What did he do in Germany those 3 years? Did he really love Simon? Also, he kept repeating that he is humiliating himself by begging Simon for forgiveness as if Simon didn’t deserve a bit of humiliation. And Marta, I almost hated her towards the end when she suddenly forgot what Matej did and that Simon took care of her and she called Simon an ASS for not being more lenient towards Matej. Like, wtf? Matej never explained anything, he barely said “I’m sorry� and bam they were blissfully happy and living together. Also, what was that scene in the hospital when Simon cut his finger?? That didn’t make any sense. If it’s not in your character to be goofy, some painkillers won’t turn you into a clown. The hospital scene was OTT and so out of character that it was borderline cringe.
So no, in my eyes Matej owed Simon a lot more. He should have proved that Simon is more than a convenience. Because that’s what he was before he took off, a convenient place to escape his chaotic (and abusive) life.
I loved the book but I didn’t care for Matej. I wanted him to come back only because I loved Simon and I wanted him to be happy -Simon is and will be one of my fav characters ever and I will probably reread the book in the near future just to spend some more time with him .
I’m sure that my complaints about Matej are just a me thing so please read this book. If you liked The layover you’ll adore this one. I promise you it’s an amazing experience. Really epic.
I don’t think the writing needs any more praises, we all know Roe Horvat’s prose is beautiful and raw and it makes you feel everything the characters feel. And that’s what happened here: they made me love Simon with my heart and soul. Other reviewers mentioned that Simon was hard to like but I totally disagree. Simon is exactly my kind of character. He has that quietness, that calmness and intensity I crave to see in my MM characters. He’s tender and quietly supportive of his younger lover, loyal, dedicated. And he loves so strongly and so intensely that it made sense that Matej’s leaving left him heartbroken and numb. I cursed Matej together with Simon. Cried when Simon cried, and cursed Matej some more. I can’t pretend to understand why did Simon fell for Matej, though and here is where the book lost me.Because the author didn’t manage to show us the real Matej. We saw Simon fall in love but not Matej. We get to know Simon’s feelings but never Matej’s. I thought I would love him, he seemed so interesting at first but then he kept taking Simon for granted and acting all squirrelly. We never get to know his reasons and when he fell for Simon. And what’s even worse is that we still didn’t know him by the end of the book. The rushed ending, the too easy forgiveness and make up , the unanswered questions.. It’s like the author didn’t even care about Matej.
Why did Matej leave? How could he leave his sister on the floor in a pool of blood and take off like that? Who did he think will take care of things? Why would he abandon his sister like that when he spent his whole life protecting her? Who did he think would take care of her in his absence? Because it’s not like he left a letter,at least asking Simon to do it. Why didn’t he send a miserable message to his sister ? What did he do in Germany those 3 years? Did he really love Simon? Also, he kept repeating that he is humiliating himself by begging Simon for forgiveness as if Simon didn’t deserve a bit of humiliation. And Marta, I almost hated her towards the end when she suddenly forgot what Matej did and that Simon took care of her and she called Simon an ASS for not being more lenient towards Matej. Like, wtf? Matej never explained anything, he barely said “I’m sorry� and bam they were blissfully happy and living together. Also, what was that scene in the hospital when Simon cut his finger?? That didn’t make any sense. If it’s not in your character to be goofy, some painkillers won’t turn you into a clown. The hospital scene was OTT and so out of character that it was borderline cringe.
So no, in my eyes Matej owed Simon a lot more. He should have proved that Simon is more than a convenience. Because that’s what he was before he took off, a convenient place to escape his chaotic (and abusive) life.
I loved the book but I didn’t care for Matej. I wanted him to come back only because I loved Simon and I wanted him to be happy -Simon is and will be one of my fav characters ever and I will probably reread the book in the near future just to spend some more time with him .
I’m sure that my complaints about Matej are just a me thing so please read this book. If you liked The layover you’ll adore this one. I promise you it’s an amazing experience. Really epic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2017
There's something special about Roe Horvat's writing and story-telling.
It's definitely more serious than what I typically read but really good nonetheless.
It's definitely more serious than what I typically read but really good nonetheless.
March 7, 2020
Audiobook - 4 stars
Story - 3.75 stars
Story - 3.75 stars
October 17, 2021
"Are you wondering the same things as I am?"
This story broke my heart. It made me want to cry. There was such an emotional bleakness that I wondered if I too would break. But also, A Love Song for the Sad Man in the White Coat was poignant and beautifully written. I could not put it down.
Roe Horvat has, once again, grabbed me by the heart with their story-telling skills and I will undoubtedly be thinking about this book for some time to come.
I would not call A Love Song for the Sad Man in the White Coat a romance. It is a love story. Most definitely a love story. It's a story about not knowing how to move on, while also knowing that you might not have a choice. It's also about wondering what could have been. It tells the story of Simon and Matěj.
I'm not sure how to review this book. I loved it. Every word, every emotion, every bit of pain and sadness. It just worked for me. There is a resolution, I am glad to report. They do get their happy -- at least tentatively so, but it felt pretty solid if a bit new.
The story is told in three acts. In the first, we see Simon - a bitter shell of a man. A man who dared to feel once and got left behind. A man who sees everyone moving forward, except himself. Part two shows us how Simon and Matěj began, and how they broke apart. Then in part three, the mending of two souls.
A Love Song for the Sad Man in the White Coat is the third book I've read by this author and, as with the first two, I am truly blown away. Read this book. Experience it -- the bleakness and the hope -- and the love of two men who are two parts of a whole.
“But tonight, my beautiful boy, the light is so bright I might as well be blind.�
-----------------------------
Review copy of A Love Song for the Sad Man in the White Coat was generously provided by the author, in exchange for an honest review.
December 13, 2017
The view on this story...the details described to make us see, feel and smell the environments..
was exquisite done.
Building up to explode....
Matěj (right pronouncing ty google :) disappeared years ago. Left behind is his sister and Simon
We are witnessing the aftermath... the why....the consequences.....the hurt, the despair, this put down...amazingly touching, tender and sore.
It was a moving story, depressed and emotional, the moment Simon knew in what state he was it felt almost as a relieve....
"Inversion"
Just the awareness of : He (censor) made Simon’s conscience heavy with guilt for tiny everyday missteps.
Simon's personality, intelligent, unpredictable behavior for outsiders. Matěj I had to guess for a while because his was everywhere except on page for some time.
And than....there he was Matěj ....introduced in all his sublimeness ...gosh what a personality.
"After decades of constant buzzing, writhing, regrouping, and clashing, the processes in Simon’s brain limped and then halted entirely."
Simon....I couldn't help it, he reminded me so much of someone I knew and lost, I felt connected... all his moves were heartbreaking, honesty raw and somewhat sad.
I think in this story he is prettier than in my real life, but gosh it felt real.
Simon's brain is fabulous. His reflections brilliant...thorough.
“I’m not talking about this with someone who’s more stupid than me.�
While reading it was a heavy stone lying on my chest... a train come crashing... an unbearable hurt... luckily it was temporary. Both men in all their passion and fairness finally get the chance to come close as before.
With as background beautiful Prague a complicated and touching love/live story. Sentences stunningly written with a great perception.
Kindly received an ARC from the author
was exquisite done.
Building up to explode....
Matěj (right pronouncing ty google :) disappeared years ago. Left behind is his sister and Simon
We are witnessing the aftermath... the why....the consequences.....the hurt, the despair, this put down...amazingly touching, tender and sore.
It was a moving story, depressed and emotional, the moment Simon knew in what state he was it felt almost as a relieve....
"Inversion"
Just the awareness of : He (censor) made Simon’s conscience heavy with guilt for tiny everyday missteps.
Simon's personality, intelligent, unpredictable behavior for outsiders. Matěj I had to guess for a while because his was everywhere except on page for some time.
And than....there he was Matěj ....introduced in all his sublimeness ...gosh what a personality.
"After decades of constant buzzing, writhing, regrouping, and clashing, the processes in Simon’s brain limped and then halted entirely."
Simon....I couldn't help it, he reminded me so much of someone I knew and lost, I felt connected... all his moves were heartbreaking, honesty raw and somewhat sad.
I think in this story he is prettier than in my real life, but gosh it felt real.
Simon's brain is fabulous. His reflections brilliant...thorough.
“I’m not talking about this with someone who’s more stupid than me.�
While reading it was a heavy stone lying on my chest... a train come crashing... an unbearable hurt... luckily it was temporary. Both men in all their passion and fairness finally get the chance to come close as before.
With as background beautiful Prague a complicated and touching love/live story. Sentences stunningly written with a great perception.
Kindly received an ARC from the author
January 8, 2018
I really enjoyed this one, it's told in an unique way and the characters felt special.
Just a heads up (minor spoiler so read at your own risk)
I did not like The Layover so I had very low expectations with this one. It's not a masterpiece and it didn't blow my mind but it's addictive and even though the reason for the conflict is a bit meh (in my silly opinion) I really enjoyed being inside Simons head.
High levels of angst, this is what I loved the most about the book along with the writing style.
3.75 stars
Just a heads up (minor spoiler so read at your own risk)
I did not like The Layover so I had very low expectations with this one. It's not a masterpiece and it didn't blow my mind but it's addictive and even though the reason for the conflict is a bit meh (in my silly opinion) I really enjoyed being inside Simons head.
High levels of angst, this is what I loved the most about the book along with the writing style.
3.75 stars
January 1, 2019
I love Roe Horvat’s writing, I really do. But man, was this sad. I can do sad just fine if there’s lots of comfort to go with this hurt, or at least a spectacular romance. But we got neither here.
Simon is a psychiatrist who teaches classes at the Charles University in Prague. He is kind of a cold person and people are always commenting on this. That is until he meets Matěj, a medical student, 7 years younger than he is. Matěj pursues Simon relentlessly and Simon gives in almost too easily.
The two share a couple of hot and heavy months together, but Matěj's home situation with his sister and stepfather isn’t stable, and Simon can’t see a future with Matěj when they’re teacher and student.
Then something happens and Matěj leaves without a trace, leaving Simon to pick up the pieces and take care of Matěj's sister.
After 3 years it looks like Simon will never really get over Matěj. So Marta decides to look for her brother�.
As I said, this was sad. Simon was struggling so much that it got to be a bit too much for me eventually.
And there was no romance to even this out. I mean, these guys only got together at 95%, and by that time I just wanted it to be over.
I’m not sure I really sympathized with Matěj enough to want him to come back and be a good partner for Simon.
And while I did love Simon, I was having a hard time with his total devotion to Matěj. To the point where he had trouble functioning without him. Of course Simon was no doormat and he really lay it into Matěj when he came back, but still�
Simon was hurting for 95% of this book and that really got to me. The glimpses we saw of Matěj weren’t all roses and sunshine either. I’m actually not sure what was positive in this book. Well, I did love the writing. Roe Horvat has a way with words that really draws me in. But I do prefer his lighter books�.
3 stars for the compelling writing, but 2 stars for this sad story.
Simon is a psychiatrist who teaches classes at the Charles University in Prague. He is kind of a cold person and people are always commenting on this. That is until he meets Matěj, a medical student, 7 years younger than he is. Matěj pursues Simon relentlessly and Simon gives in almost too easily.
The two share a couple of hot and heavy months together, but Matěj's home situation with his sister and stepfather isn’t stable, and Simon can’t see a future with Matěj when they’re teacher and student.
Then something happens and Matěj leaves without a trace, leaving Simon to pick up the pieces and take care of Matěj's sister.
After 3 years it looks like Simon will never really get over Matěj. So Marta decides to look for her brother�.
As I said, this was sad. Simon was struggling so much that it got to be a bit too much for me eventually.
And there was no romance to even this out. I mean, these guys only got together at 95%, and by that time I just wanted it to be over.
I’m not sure I really sympathized with Matěj enough to want him to come back and be a good partner for Simon.
And while I did love Simon, I was having a hard time with his total devotion to Matěj. To the point where he had trouble functioning without him. Of course Simon was no doormat and he really lay it into Matěj when he came back, but still�
Simon was hurting for 95% of this book and that really got to me. The glimpses we saw of Matěj weren’t all roses and sunshine either. I’m actually not sure what was positive in this book. Well, I did love the writing. Roe Horvat has a way with words that really draws me in. But I do prefer his lighter books�.
3 stars for the compelling writing, but 2 stars for this sad story.
December 11, 2017
HONESTLY, SIMPLY THE BEST BOOK I’VE READ THIS YEAR!!! REVIEW SOON...
I finished reading „A Love Song for the Sad Man in the White Coat" in the middle of the night. In some kind of catatonic shock, I managed to write in all caps the sentence that is still visible above, still valid. It’s a big statement, but I meant every word. I’m a big fan of Roe’s writing style since „The Layover� and I consider myself lucky, because I stumbled upon their first book by accident ( but immediately hooked on ).
I was well aware of the powerful impact their words could have on me, but honestly, I wasn’t ready for the upcoming.
I wish I could find the words to convey how brilliant this book is, but how can I describe a song with words, a love song heard by the heart, in the heart?
This book is multidimensional and full of symbolism. It got into my head, heart, soul, bloodstream and even into my DNA and I forgot I was only reading about Simon - I become Simon, the sad man detached from his feelings, indifferent to colours surrounding him and trapped in this strange dimension beyond life without Matej. I was in some kind of weird space-time phenomenon immersed in Simon’s mind with only glimpses of light and colour. Because only Matej was his source of that.
But Matej was like a bright meteorite hitting the Earth, first carrying the light then destruction.
I wouldn’t call this book a MM romance, it’s a realistic captivating love story, told in a quite unique way, divided into three parts, each of them with its own tempo, atmosphere and emotions but, of course, also with hot, intense and meaningful sex scenes written as usual for Roe in direct language, that stirs the passion and wakes imagination.
I’m totally moved by the ending, it left me with a weird mix of feelings, sweet happiness blended with a bitter aftertaste of regretting the wasted time by Simon.
It’s a book to re-read, to rethink, to close my eyes tight once again, cry a little and try to find colours behind those shut eyelids, in the darkness�
ARC received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
I finished reading „A Love Song for the Sad Man in the White Coat" in the middle of the night. In some kind of catatonic shock, I managed to write in all caps the sentence that is still visible above, still valid. It’s a big statement, but I meant every word. I’m a big fan of Roe’s writing style since „The Layover� and I consider myself lucky, because I stumbled upon their first book by accident ( but immediately hooked on ).
I was well aware of the powerful impact their words could have on me, but honestly, I wasn’t ready for the upcoming.
I wish I could find the words to convey how brilliant this book is, but how can I describe a song with words, a love song heard by the heart, in the heart?
This book is multidimensional and full of symbolism. It got into my head, heart, soul, bloodstream and even into my DNA and I forgot I was only reading about Simon - I become Simon, the sad man detached from his feelings, indifferent to colours surrounding him and trapped in this strange dimension beyond life without Matej. I was in some kind of weird space-time phenomenon immersed in Simon’s mind with only glimpses of light and colour. Because only Matej was his source of that.
The conversation with Matej was like being shot at by a gang of paintball snipers. Simon barely managed to turn his head and got hit again from a different direction, splashes of color obscuring his vision.
He was fluttering around in the tiny space like a butterfly. Simon could only watch, dumbfounded.
He felt like a distant observer while Matej flew around him - bursts of movement, colors and flashes of light which burned Simon’s eyes.
But Matej was like a bright meteorite hitting the Earth, first carrying the light then destruction.
If this was a one-night stand - and he couldn’t imagine any kind of future for them - then he wanted everything, all the way, none of this usual restraint and wariness. The attraction he felt toward the man currently in his bed was unprecedented. He’d want to remember this, to savor this, even feel it the next day.
But carrying this kind of hate inside him - Simon couldn’t imagine the weight of such a burden.
I wouldn’t call this book a MM romance, it’s a realistic captivating love story, told in a quite unique way, divided into three parts, each of them with its own tempo, atmosphere and emotions but, of course, also with hot, intense and meaningful sex scenes written as usual for Roe in direct language, that stirs the passion and wakes imagination.
Fuck it! His libido had awoken with a slap, and it craved things.
I wanted you to feel so good you’d forget it's supposed to be wrong.
I’m totally moved by the ending, it left me with a weird mix of feelings, sweet happiness blended with a bitter aftertaste of regretting the wasted time by Simon.
It’s a book to re-read, to rethink, to close my eyes tight once again, cry a little and try to find colours behind those shut eyelids, in the darkness�
ARC received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
December 29, 2017
Horvat did it again. I just can't with all the perfection this author creates. I flat-out loved this book. I savored just like any other and I just want to reread it all over again. I finished just a few days ago and I just can't stop thinking about it and going back to it to read specific scenes.
Hovard can't do anything wrong as far as I'm concerned. This is the angstiest book so far and I just had my heart broken and then pull back together with this story. A second-chance-love with a flawless and unique prose that sucks you in from the first sentences. Feelings are everywhere and I just adored it.
Maybe I should write a proper review in the future but right now I can't think clearly. Ahg, Roe, you always leave me speechless. Hate you and love you so much ðŸ˜
Hovard can't do anything wrong as far as I'm concerned. This is the angstiest book so far and I just had my heart broken and then pull back together with this story. A second-chance-love with a flawless and unique prose that sucks you in from the first sentences. Feelings are everywhere and I just adored it.
Maybe I should write a proper review in the future but right now I can't think clearly. Ahg, Roe, you always leave me speechless. Hate you and love you so much ðŸ˜
August 20, 2022
I won this ebook in the MM Romance Group Celebration 2018 and I want to say a BIG thank you to Roe Horvart and Beaten Track Publishing for their generosity!
Seems like Roe Horvat can write whatever he wants and it's always going to end up on my list of favorites even though his stories are as different as night and day - no formulaic recipe when it comes to the characters, the tone of the story, or the writing - except the writing is always beautiful and manages to pull me in from page one. This one was another winner from beginning to end.
This book is angsty and very melancholic and tense until the very end! You can literally feel the struggle and all the emotions Simon is going through and it makes for a very intense read that made me cry a time or two.
Here are only some parts of the book that I highlighted:
Last but not least I want to say a word about the new-to-me narrator of the audiobook, Vance Bastian: He did a very good job and managed to capture the tone of the book perfectly! I really enjoyed listening to him and I'm going to keep my eyes open for more stories narrated by him.
edit:
Seems like Roe Horvat can write whatever he wants and it's always going to end up on my list of favorites even though his stories are as different as night and day - no formulaic recipe when it comes to the characters, the tone of the story, or the writing - except the writing is always beautiful and manages to pull me in from page one. This one was another winner from beginning to end.
This book is angsty and very melancholic and tense until the very end! You can literally feel the struggle and all the emotions Simon is going through and it makes for a very intense read that made me cry a time or two.
Here are only some parts of the book that I highlighted:
"That was when he realized he was falling in love. Through fear. Nothing pleasant about that emotion, that was for sure. Was not love supposed to be uplifting and fulfilling? Yet all Simon could comprehend of the emotion was dread � of being left behind, not being loved back."
"Only Simon was trapped in his own perpetual storm. Alone in the turmoil which never seemed to affect anyone else. He used to think he was the only one who saw life clearly as the meaningless struggle to get closer to death. But now? Now he knew it was his fault. As if he were colorblind, Simon couldn't see happiness anywhere."
"The sadness flowed through Simon's veins slow and thick like mud. He thought maybe his limbs would break under the weight of his desperate longing. When something hurt this much, there had to be some tangible consequence to it. Simon eyed his arms and legs half expecting blood to start seeping through the fabric. But nothing showed on the outside. He was embarrassingly healthy and intact."
Last but not least I want to say a word about the new-to-me narrator of the audiobook, Vance Bastian: He did a very good job and managed to capture the tone of the book perfectly! I really enjoyed listening to him and I'm going to keep my eyes open for more stories narrated by him.
edit:
January 4, 2018
How do you express your feelings when you’re rendered speechless?
How do you explain something that is as profound as it is puzzling?
How do you capture the essence of a story that is boundless?
I’ve yet to determine but if you’ll allow me, I’d like to try.
First off, if you are new to Horvat’s literary seduction, I welcome you to the club and I’ve saved you a front row seat. Trust me, once you’re here you won’t be leaving anytime soon.
Second, plan your schedule accordingly. The moment you begin you are a prisoner of the pages. It’s almost as if there is some mystical and magical word osmosis because I felt myself absorb the story in a bone-deep-never-going-to-leave way.
This is Simon’s story. Simon is special. Simon is a brilliant scientist. Simon is very sad.
Why is he sad?
That is the million dollar question.
Okay, not really. I’ll tell you�
Simon fell in love. Trouble was, he doesn’t actually believe in love. He is a scientist after all and it’s simply not logical. Despite this…it happened. But then his love was lost. And now, so is Simon. He’s not only lost but losing control and that’s not acceptable. The harder he holds on, the more he slips. And we sit useless and helpless on the sidelines witnessing his denied desperation. It’s not easy but I never said it was.
What's to like: This odyssey consists of three parts. The very first scene we are introduced to Matěj and it’s obvious why Simon broke all his rules for the stunning young man. His allure is strong. The very next chapter we zip into the future. The timeline is complex and I urge you to pay attention (otherwise you may find yourself flipping back to confirm…not that I’m speaking from experience or anything. ha!) to the calendar as we sink into the story. It’s not clear exactly what has happened or why and this is when you need to pull out your patience badge. One thing is precise, the writing. It is stunning and seriously badass. Which leads me to the exquisite characters�.
What's to love: Simon is unlike any character I’ve ever met before and I have no illusions I will ever encounter anyone else like him in the future. He is quirky, obsessive-compulsive and socially dysfunctional. He can be insensitive, aloof and self-absorbed. And yet, I absolutely adored him. Sounds contrary to reason but…you just have to met him for yourself. Then you will understand. Simon threw himself into caring for Matěj’s sister, Marta, after he disappeared. This was the drive he needed to maintain his fraudulent well-being. Time has passed and she’s moving on and moving out. Once she leaves, the final tether breaks free. His drifting has progressed to raging turbulence and he’s going to capsize. Will he ever find his way back to solid ground? Well, you have to make it to part three to answer that.
I haven’t told you much about Matěj for good reason. I wish for you to experience his charisma first hand. To be honest, we don’t have as much page time with him as I would have preferred. But I’m sure Simon would agree with me. Matěj lights Simon up from the inside and without him, he’s fumbling in the dark. After almost four years, he’s left with only a spark. But as they say, it only takes a spark to light a wildfire. *sigh* Ohh, how they burn.
Beware of: A depressed eccentric psychiatrist will steal your heart and return it slightly modified. Believe me, it’s to your advantage. Don’t expect a lot of time between the sheets. Also, I distinctly felt my foreigner status with this one but I’m certainly not complaining. I always feel as though I have traveled abroad with Roe.
This is heavy, it is hard, and it’s a heartwrenching deep love story that will blow you away.
This book is for: This story requires a patient and distinctive palate reader. I can’t honestly say it’s for everyone but if you’re lucky enough to make the cut, I salute you *cheers* â€�.²¹²Ô»åâ€�*hugs* I’ll be waiting here for more of both when you’re done.
AND! Don't forget to check out the deleted scenes Roe was kind enough to share
How do you explain something that is as profound as it is puzzling?
How do you capture the essence of a story that is boundless?
I’ve yet to determine but if you’ll allow me, I’d like to try.
First off, if you are new to Horvat’s literary seduction, I welcome you to the club and I’ve saved you a front row seat. Trust me, once you’re here you won’t be leaving anytime soon.
Second, plan your schedule accordingly. The moment you begin you are a prisoner of the pages. It’s almost as if there is some mystical and magical word osmosis because I felt myself absorb the story in a bone-deep-never-going-to-leave way.
This is Simon’s story. Simon is special. Simon is a brilliant scientist. Simon is very sad.
Why is he sad?
That is the million dollar question.
Okay, not really. I’ll tell you�
Simon fell in love. Trouble was, he doesn’t actually believe in love. He is a scientist after all and it’s simply not logical. Despite this…it happened. But then his love was lost. And now, so is Simon. He’s not only lost but losing control and that’s not acceptable. The harder he holds on, the more he slips. And we sit useless and helpless on the sidelines witnessing his denied desperation. It’s not easy but I never said it was.
What's to like: This odyssey consists of three parts. The very first scene we are introduced to Matěj and it’s obvious why Simon broke all his rules for the stunning young man. His allure is strong. The very next chapter we zip into the future. The timeline is complex and I urge you to pay attention (otherwise you may find yourself flipping back to confirm…not that I’m speaking from experience or anything. ha!) to the calendar as we sink into the story. It’s not clear exactly what has happened or why and this is when you need to pull out your patience badge. One thing is precise, the writing. It is stunning and seriously badass. Which leads me to the exquisite characters�.
What's to love: Simon is unlike any character I’ve ever met before and I have no illusions I will ever encounter anyone else like him in the future. He is quirky, obsessive-compulsive and socially dysfunctional. He can be insensitive, aloof and self-absorbed. And yet, I absolutely adored him. Sounds contrary to reason but…you just have to met him for yourself. Then you will understand. Simon threw himself into caring for Matěj’s sister, Marta, after he disappeared. This was the drive he needed to maintain his fraudulent well-being. Time has passed and she’s moving on and moving out. Once she leaves, the final tether breaks free. His drifting has progressed to raging turbulence and he’s going to capsize. Will he ever find his way back to solid ground? Well, you have to make it to part three to answer that.
I haven’t told you much about Matěj for good reason. I wish for you to experience his charisma first hand. To be honest, we don’t have as much page time with him as I would have preferred. But I’m sure Simon would agree with me. Matěj lights Simon up from the inside and without him, he’s fumbling in the dark. After almost four years, he’s left with only a spark. But as they say, it only takes a spark to light a wildfire. *sigh* Ohh, how they burn.
Beware of: A depressed eccentric psychiatrist will steal your heart and return it slightly modified. Believe me, it’s to your advantage. Don’t expect a lot of time between the sheets. Also, I distinctly felt my foreigner status with this one but I’m certainly not complaining. I always feel as though I have traveled abroad with Roe.
This is heavy, it is hard, and it’s a heartwrenching deep love story that will blow you away.
This book is for: This story requires a patient and distinctive palate reader. I can’t honestly say it’s for everyone but if you’re lucky enough to make the cut, I salute you *cheers* â€�.²¹²Ô»åâ€�*hugs* I’ll be waiting here for more of both when you’re done.
AND! Don't forget to check out the deleted scenes Roe was kind enough to share
December 23, 2017
Dear Roe Horvat - you broke my heart, you stomped on it, and then, at the last possible moment, you healed me.
The book starts out with brief moment in which we meet Matej, a student in Prague, on his way to class to take a finals, stopping to buy a cup of coffee to which he attaches a note.
The coffee is for his professor, Dr. Simon Mraz, a psychiatrist who teaches at the university Matej attends.
Fast forward four years, we now hear from Simon, aka The Cruel Doctor Frost, as he is known among the students at the university, and Matej is but a painful memory. Simon lives with Marta, who is Matej's sister, but who is about to move into her own place. Nobody has heard from Matej in those years, not since he left after a tragic event.
Simon's sadness is overwhelming. It is sheer willpower that keeps him mostly sane and standing upright. When the pain threatens to pull him under, Simon runs through the streets of Prague, exhausting himself to the point where he can sleep. It is evident that Simon is struggling - with the memories of Matej, with what happened, with what he could have done differently, with finding a reason for Matej's leaving.
The author did a fantastic job conveying how very empty Simon's life is - he has a few friends, and Marta, but he's only barely holding on. He's numb. He can't even muster a congratulations when his best friend gets engaged. He's rude and offensive, and pessimistic and just so heart-breakingly sad.
The writing is superb - I felt Simon's pain, his longing, the almost robotic way he goes through the motions of his daily life. It was occasionally difficult to see through my tears, especially as about 75% of this book are spent in Simon's head, seeing and feeling his pain, watching him on his way to self-destruction.
Then Marta starts to look for her brother, without Simon's knowledge.
This is a powerful novel about pain and loss, and getting a second chance, even if you don't think you deserve one. It's about two complex and seriously flawed MCs, whose bone-deep pain just dripped off the pages.
It's not your typical romance. This is not a meet-cute and live happily ever after story. This is a story that will break your heart and then slowly, ever so slowly, mend the jagged edges - and yet, the scars remain.
There's a HFN at the very end, for those of you that need to know, one that I could easily see turning into a HEA, even with Simon's warning to Matej.
I won't forget this book any time soon.
Highly recommended.
** I received a free copy of this book from its author in exchange for an honest review. **
The book starts out with brief moment in which we meet Matej, a student in Prague, on his way to class to take a finals, stopping to buy a cup of coffee to which he attaches a note.
"Are you wondering the same things I am?"
The coffee is for his professor, Dr. Simon Mraz, a psychiatrist who teaches at the university Matej attends.
Fast forward four years, we now hear from Simon, aka The Cruel Doctor Frost, as he is known among the students at the university, and Matej is but a painful memory. Simon lives with Marta, who is Matej's sister, but who is about to move into her own place. Nobody has heard from Matej in those years, not since he left after a tragic event.
Simon's sadness is overwhelming. It is sheer willpower that keeps him mostly sane and standing upright. When the pain threatens to pull him under, Simon runs through the streets of Prague, exhausting himself to the point where he can sleep. It is evident that Simon is struggling - with the memories of Matej, with what happened, with what he could have done differently, with finding a reason for Matej's leaving.
The author did a fantastic job conveying how very empty Simon's life is - he has a few friends, and Marta, but he's only barely holding on. He's numb. He can't even muster a congratulations when his best friend gets engaged. He's rude and offensive, and pessimistic and just so heart-breakingly sad.
The writing is superb - I felt Simon's pain, his longing, the almost robotic way he goes through the motions of his daily life. It was occasionally difficult to see through my tears, especially as about 75% of this book are spent in Simon's head, seeing and feeling his pain, watching him on his way to self-destruction.
Then Marta starts to look for her brother, without Simon's knowledge.
This is a powerful novel about pain and loss, and getting a second chance, even if you don't think you deserve one. It's about two complex and seriously flawed MCs, whose bone-deep pain just dripped off the pages.
It's not your typical romance. This is not a meet-cute and live happily ever after story. This is a story that will break your heart and then slowly, ever so slowly, mend the jagged edges - and yet, the scars remain.
There's a HFN at the very end, for those of you that need to know, one that I could easily see turning into a HEA, even with Simon's warning to Matej.
"Are you ready to spend your life with a sad man?"
I won't forget this book any time soon.
Highly recommended.
** I received a free copy of this book from its author in exchange for an honest review. **
January 21, 2019
This story is a fascinating look at a gay man living in post-Soviet Prague in 2012-2017, and the student who has a brief but intense relationship with him, and a long painful denouement. A large part of it is about introspection, regrets, depression and loss, and trying to create a workable life when the center is missing. The ending is happy, and romantic, so it does qualify as a romance, but the part of the book where the couple is together and working their way forward is only a fraction of the tale.
In some ways, it reminded me of - with an age-gap couple whose yearning, loss, confusion, and love all comes through in beautifully created prose. Fans of one book might enjoy the other. In this case, the story takes place in a setting unfamiliar to me, and part of the pleasure is seeing Prague, in its myriad details. This is obviously a setting familiar to the author, and both the physical landscape and the mental and emotional expectations of the characters inform the story. The secondary characters add a lot to this story too.
Dr Simon Mráz is a quiet, self-controlled and self-contained university professor who would never dream of anything so risky or improper as a relationship with a student, until Matej scorches into his orbit, a brilliant young man in an environment where standing out is not rewarded. Their relationship is brief, ends abruptly and mysteriously, and overshadows years of Simon's life. He can't move on, both because severing his connection to Matej is unfinished, and because no one else catches his eye in the same way. He tries to become cold as ice, the teacher and doctor and nothing more, and in so doing is losing the humanity that makes it worth going on day to day, and falling into a depression he does not want to recognize.
Past and present narrative and events are presented, and slowly give us a better picture of who these men are now, who they once were, and how it went wrong. I was cheering for their happy ending, and although I felt that there was a bit of emotional short-changing at the end, I was still pleased with how this story left Simon and Matej. Well worth a read if you are as interested in the psychology of characters as the progression of romance.
In some ways, it reminded me of - with an age-gap couple whose yearning, loss, confusion, and love all comes through in beautifully created prose. Fans of one book might enjoy the other. In this case, the story takes place in a setting unfamiliar to me, and part of the pleasure is seeing Prague, in its myriad details. This is obviously a setting familiar to the author, and both the physical landscape and the mental and emotional expectations of the characters inform the story. The secondary characters add a lot to this story too.
Dr Simon Mráz is a quiet, self-controlled and self-contained university professor who would never dream of anything so risky or improper as a relationship with a student, until Matej scorches into his orbit, a brilliant young man in an environment where standing out is not rewarded. Their relationship is brief, ends abruptly and mysteriously, and overshadows years of Simon's life. He can't move on, both because severing his connection to Matej is unfinished, and because no one else catches his eye in the same way. He tries to become cold as ice, the teacher and doctor and nothing more, and in so doing is losing the humanity that makes it worth going on day to day, and falling into a depression he does not want to recognize.
Past and present narrative and events are presented, and slowly give us a better picture of who these men are now, who they once were, and how it went wrong. I was cheering for their happy ending, and although I felt that there was a bit of emotional short-changing at the end, I was still pleased with how this story left Simon and Matej. Well worth a read if you are as interested in the psychology of characters as the progression of romance.
December 14, 2017
It's hard to review this book without giving the plot away and I honestly believe one should go in with no idea of what the story it's about. I believe this story it's not for everyone, the story and the way the story was written it's different but I liked it. And I hope people give it a chance. Roe himself told me that this was angsty and that's it, that's all I knew.
Let me tell you, I wasn't ready for the punch of feelings that I got.
I'll try not to spoil anything.
This is Simon's story. He is psychiatrist in Prague and sometimes he gives some classes. 4 years ago someone entered his classroom and life and completely changed it.
We meet his friends and people around him, we see how he lives his day to day life. He's ok but he's not. What happened in the past? How did gave his heart away? How did he ended up alone?
We take a journey through Simon's past and present.
There are a few chapters from other's characters POVs and for me personally, that's something that I don't always like but in this story, it worked. It helped the story flow.
We do meet the infamous Matěj and i liked it. Personally I had a deeper bond with Simon because it's his story but the time we get with Matěj I enjoyed.
This is a romance but it touches very important themes. This book is set in Prague and the city it's a big part of the story. Just like Simon's condition is.
Roe Horvat appeared this year and has dazzled me with his stories. A highlight of my 2017. I can't wait to read what he has in store for 2018 :)
Let me tell you, I wasn't ready for the punch of feelings that I got.
I'll try not to spoil anything.
This is Simon's story. He is psychiatrist in Prague and sometimes he gives some classes. 4 years ago someone entered his classroom and life and completely changed it.
We meet his friends and people around him, we see how he lives his day to day life. He's ok but he's not. What happened in the past? How did gave his heart away? How did he ended up alone?
We take a journey through Simon's past and present.
There are a few chapters from other's characters POVs and for me personally, that's something that I don't always like but in this story, it worked. It helped the story flow.
We do meet the infamous Matěj and i liked it. Personally I had a deeper bond with Simon because it's his story but the time we get with Matěj I enjoyed.
This is a romance but it touches very important themes. This book is set in Prague and the city it's a big part of the story. Just like Simon's condition is.
Roe Horvat appeared this year and has dazzled me with his stories. A highlight of my 2017. I can't wait to read what he has in store for 2018 :)
July 19, 2018
Mientras leÃa este libro, no sé porqué no paraba de pensar en Milan Kundera, supongo que es la atmósfera de Praga, una de las cosas que más me ha gustado es que esté ambientado allÃ.
Horvat escribe de una manera melancólica que no es 100% de mi gusto, pero he de reconocer que sabe construir una historia, lo único que me ha chirriado un poco es el "tomate" central, en caliente todos sabemos que se toman decisiones poco acertadas, pero como adultos que somos, en algún momento reflexionamos, ¿no?
Me han gustado los personajes y, sobre todo, me ha gustado Simon, la aproximación a su tristeza me parece muy lograda, en ciertas partes me he sentido muy identificada con él. Pena que ni me habÃa percatado de que uno de los MC aparece en Dirty Mind, porque me lo habrÃa releÃdo antes, ya que justo es de quién menos sabemos en este libro.
Me deja un buen sabor de boca, que no estaba yo para tristuras, y aunque el clima de la historia no es feliz, siempre sientes que eso va a acabar bien, ahà Horvat ha hilado fino.
Ahhh y gracias Vir por el regalito navideño ;) Más vale tarde que nunca xD
Horvat escribe de una manera melancólica que no es 100% de mi gusto, pero he de reconocer que sabe construir una historia, lo único que me ha chirriado un poco es el "tomate" central, en caliente todos sabemos que se toman decisiones poco acertadas, pero como adultos que somos, en algún momento reflexionamos, ¿no?
Me han gustado los personajes y, sobre todo, me ha gustado Simon, la aproximación a su tristeza me parece muy lograda, en ciertas partes me he sentido muy identificada con él. Pena que ni me habÃa percatado de que uno de los MC aparece en Dirty Mind, porque me lo habrÃa releÃdo antes, ya que justo es de quién menos sabemos en este libro.
Me deja un buen sabor de boca, que no estaba yo para tristuras, y aunque el clima de la historia no es feliz, siempre sientes que eso va a acabar bien, ahà Horvat ha hilado fino.
Ahhh y gracias Vir por el regalito navideño ;) Más vale tarde que nunca xD
September 26, 2021
Can you love a sad man?
Holy...
I don't know what to say about this book or how to sum it up in a simple review. A love song for the sad man in the white coat is worth so much more than that. I've been scared of picking this up, knowing this would be angst upon angst upon angst, and while it is just that. It's the beautiful kind of angst that finds it way through your body to your heart and then takes hold of it.
This book wrecked me. I could feel Simon's pain through every page of this book. I was right there with him, grieving. I was right there with him trying to get his life back on track. I was right there with Matej trying to win back the love of his life. I was right there with all of the characters through all of the book. I couldn't wait for this book to end so I could get the resolution but I also never wanted it to end. Wanting to spend all my time with Simon and Matej.
This book won't be for everyone but there's been a long time since a book made such a huge impact on me as this one did on me.
Holy...
I don't know what to say about this book or how to sum it up in a simple review. A love song for the sad man in the white coat is worth so much more than that. I've been scared of picking this up, knowing this would be angst upon angst upon angst, and while it is just that. It's the beautiful kind of angst that finds it way through your body to your heart and then takes hold of it.
This book wrecked me. I could feel Simon's pain through every page of this book. I was right there with him, grieving. I was right there with him trying to get his life back on track. I was right there with Matej trying to win back the love of his life. I was right there with all of the characters through all of the book. I couldn't wait for this book to end so I could get the resolution but I also never wanted it to end. Wanting to spend all my time with Simon and Matej.
This book won't be for everyone but there's been a long time since a book made such a huge impact on me as this one did on me.
February 9, 2020
**Updated on Friday 7th February**
On second read, A Love Song for the Sad Man in the White Coat was even more heartbreaking and beautiful than the first time. I cannot but confirm all I've written about it last year.
=======
Roe Horvat's A Love Song for the Sad Man in the White Coat is an extraordinary story of friendship, love, grief and redemption.
Set in Prague along the span of about four years, the novel focuses on Simon Mráz, a guarded and solitary psychiatrist, who has an intense and perhaps ill-advised relationship with one of his students, the brilliant but troubled Matêj Chrs.
Divided into three parts A Love Song... follows a narrative pattern that shifts points of view in a subtle and very effective manner.
We don't see events exclusively from the eyes of the main two characters but also by stepping into the shoes of what are apparently secondary characters (e.g. Mike, Marta, Lukas etc.). This approach gives the reader a complex tapestry of events, actions and emotions to put together and interpret thus giving the story depth and weight. Simon and Matêj have labyrinthine minds, complicated by family events and heavy emotional baggage. It is, therefore, of the utmost importance to build up their profile not by means of decisive strokes but with small, nuanced steps.
Horvat succeeds enormously in carrying out this task and the story takes shape and form in such a beautifully-layered manner that I constantly found myself stopping to re-read passages and sections.
Another aspect that I always love in Horvat's books is their setting: Prague, Munich, Gothenburg, Basel... There's always a distinct off-centre, and very often Mitteleuropean, feel to his stories and in this novel, Prague, beautiful and glittery, but also melancholic and unwelcoming, becomes a sort of extra player that influences the characters' attitudes and reactions to events.
A Love Song for the Sad Man in the White Coat is a complex and wonderfully-written novel, inhabited by deeply human characters, with all their flaws and weaknesses. Just like Horvat's other books, I cannot but highly recommend it.
On second read, A Love Song for the Sad Man in the White Coat was even more heartbreaking and beautiful than the first time. I cannot but confirm all I've written about it last year.
=======
Roe Horvat's A Love Song for the Sad Man in the White Coat is an extraordinary story of friendship, love, grief and redemption.
Set in Prague along the span of about four years, the novel focuses on Simon Mráz, a guarded and solitary psychiatrist, who has an intense and perhaps ill-advised relationship with one of his students, the brilliant but troubled Matêj Chrs.
Divided into three parts A Love Song... follows a narrative pattern that shifts points of view in a subtle and very effective manner.
We don't see events exclusively from the eyes of the main two characters but also by stepping into the shoes of what are apparently secondary characters (e.g. Mike, Marta, Lukas etc.). This approach gives the reader a complex tapestry of events, actions and emotions to put together and interpret thus giving the story depth and weight. Simon and Matêj have labyrinthine minds, complicated by family events and heavy emotional baggage. It is, therefore, of the utmost importance to build up their profile not by means of decisive strokes but with small, nuanced steps.
Horvat succeeds enormously in carrying out this task and the story takes shape and form in such a beautifully-layered manner that I constantly found myself stopping to re-read passages and sections.
Another aspect that I always love in Horvat's books is their setting: Prague, Munich, Gothenburg, Basel... There's always a distinct off-centre, and very often Mitteleuropean, feel to his stories and in this novel, Prague, beautiful and glittery, but also melancholic and unwelcoming, becomes a sort of extra player that influences the characters' attitudes and reactions to events.
A Love Song for the Sad Man in the White Coat is a complex and wonderfully-written novel, inhabited by deeply human characters, with all their flaws and weaknesses. Just like Horvat's other books, I cannot but highly recommend it.
July 10, 2023
So many feelings. Sad, real, beautiful - perfect!
And on top of it: great music titles / bands are mentioned.
And on top of it: great music titles / bands are mentioned.
May 23, 2025
I expected pain.
But there’s hope, true family,
and such love. In Prague.
4.5 rounded down.
But there’s hope, true family,
and such love. In Prague.
4.5 rounded down.
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