Reviews

Bonjour Tristesse and A Certain Smile by Françoise Sagan

ivyninareads's review

4.0

Beautiful. Beautiful and glum.

I loved the crazy cheekiness Cécile in the first novel. Like, girl was so reckless. And she literally didn't even really want to go through with her evil plan in the end. It seemed like she was just ruining lives for something to do. The writing was just delicious.

'A Certain Smile' – more delicious writing. I loved the helplessness of the situation. The writing was totally on the wall

Spoiler

– Dominique was going to fall for Luc

. And yet I couldn't help but read on to find out if things were going to pan out the way this kind of narrative usually does.

Both books are perfect to read in the summer on the beach if you have absolutely nothing to do, particularly 'Bonjour Tristesse'. The borderline boredom of having no responsibilities is the exact way this book should be experienced.

aftaerglows's review

4.0

8/10
Teenager doesn't want to grow up and destroys everything because of it. Great novella, beautiful writing.

hannah_eve's review

lighthearted reflective medium-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

3.0

peachiisun1111's review

emotional reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

very emotional reads in this combination of 2 books. honestly i preferred a certain smile but both were great! it's a good combo, the two juxtapose each other very well despite also sharing similarities 
first book was also a great holiday read, and both have a lovely, light atmosphere 
enjoyed them a lot :) 

dreynoldsbook's review

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The prose in these books is consistently brilliant, it’s subtle and very quotable. I love the contradictions and sudden changes of position by the main characters, which I found realistic.  

I think I preferred Bonjour Tristesse over A Certain Smile even though I didn’t find the characters in the former likeable. 

anjalisb's review

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.5

griller's review against another edition

5.0

Bonjour Tristesse was a melodrama that somehow felt incredibly real. Obsessed with the way the author depicted familial relationships.

A Certain Smile: I don't think this is a popular opinion but I liked this one better, probably because I was able to connect with the material *slightly* more. It's a very ordinary story about falling in love and getting your heart shattered for the first time but told extraordinarily and with a great deal of compassion. Love will absolutely devastate you and rewire your brain but the pain is temporary and Paris is forever.

kristasf's review

fast-paced

5.0

ishbelalice's review

lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

gansey_02's review

emotional reflective medium-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

3.5