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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
fast-paced
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
For one of the dense classics that so many people have to read and dissect for school, I really enjoyed this one.The story is surprisingly dark and morbid. Paired with Fyodor Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment, I had a feeling that there would be some guilt involved, and as soon as Laurant was introduced, I had a feeling I know who was not going to make it to the end of the book. Despite some of those predictable plot points, the manifestation of guilt was entertaining. People in my class debated on whether (without spoilers) it was supernatural, or psychological.
I was on the side of the psychological, but no matter how you view it, it was still a surprisingly gripping book. Far more so than most of the books we all have to read in school. I highly suggest it. Whether you intend to pick it apart for its literary value, or simply because it is a pretty intense story.
On a side note, I recently learned that a film version starring Jessica Lange will be coming out soon. The idea of her playing Madame Raquin, particularly during some of the Thursday night dominoes scenes (one in particular) gives me chills.
I was on the side of the psychological, but no matter how you view it, it was still a surprisingly gripping book. Far more so than most of the books we all have to read in school. I highly suggest it. Whether you intend to pick it apart for its literary value, or simply because it is a pretty intense story.
On a side note, I recently learned that a film version starring Jessica Lange will be coming out soon. The idea of her playing Madame Raquin, particularly during some of the Thursday night dominoes scenes (one in particular) gives me chills.
3.5/4 Full review up on my blog here: https://thelittlebookowl.wordpress.com/2016/03/04/therese-raquin-emile-zola/
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Just amazing! Loved every second of it. Couldn't put it down.
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is a mindfuck of horror realism. Laurent and Therese are so astute but horrendous pieces of shit that you don't know if to admire them or despise them. It's hard to get past the midway point of the book though bc it gets so overwrought about what Therese and Laurent are going through, but that's the aim I guess. It is gripping in a way but I had to coax myself to pick up the book every time I put it down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Miscarriage, Suicide, Pregnancy