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xila17's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? No
4.0
No one does it quite like him I fear (writing the funniest yet most hateful characters you've ever encountered)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
Minor: Sexual assault, Violence, and Rape
nalia1991's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
dori_anne's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't expect such caricatural novel. I see that Zola questions the apparent morality of bourgeois and wants to show the reader what lay behind the doors of a so called respectable building. And he does it well, so well that no character is the least likeable. Zola takes off all filters ans describes some very crude scenes, and does not fear to use the langage fitting to these kind of depictions. The repetitive structure tired me a little bit, though I understand it contributes to the picture of neverending dramas and vileness. Zola once more struck me with talent for depicting in a very realistic way (I especially think about the delivery of a child scene), but the whole picture seems very caricatural. Not my favorite from Zola, but he had an idea in his mind and he executed it successfully.
dorianeem's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bibliobethreads's review against another edition
challenging
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
northerly_heart_reads's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
medium-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
3.5
ctrlaultdelete's review against another edition
3.0
So glad Brandon Taylor led me to this book; I think it’s sort of like watching Casablanca where you realize where some of the timeworn cliches come from, but enjoy the ride so much, with such singular characters (Bachelard, Marie Pichon, Adele, Berthe, Caroline Hédouin….) that they defy the familiarity of the tropes!
juliettebn's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
reynier's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault