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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I tried really hard to like this book, but I simply couldn't. Despite its short length, it was difficult to finish.
Centered around a young, lost schoolteacher (Lóri) and her infatuation with an older philosophy professor (Ulisses), the book is basically a collection of her meandering and repetitive self-reflections, all primarily motivated by her interactions with this man.
I didn't care for this premise where a young girl discovers self-acceptance and her own meaning to life solely through her relationship with a man. Sure, the book frames it as her own independent journey that leads to her self-discovery, but it largely positions a man as the catalyst for that transformation. This dynamic isn't always innately problematic, but the man was insufferable… He embodies the ‘wise’ know-it-all older man trope, speaking to her in a patronizing manner and never missing an opportunity to launch into superficial lectures about life. This whole book felt like when you tell someone you’re not doing great, and they go on an entire orchestrated ramble about life’s intricacies and how you shouldn’t feel what you’re feeling…like nobody asked for all of that?? but nooo.. MISS LORI just ATE it UP...and took it as lessons to be learned about herself. Like girl stand up!? His condescending comments about her appearance and body didn't help either.
On top of that, the characters were just not compelling enough for me to be fully invested in a book that's entirely focused on Lóri’s excessive internal monologues. Her thoughts weren't particularly insightful and finishing this book felt like a chore.
Ultimately, An Apprenticeship or The Book of Pleasures feels limiting and outdated in its portrayal of a young woman’s self-discovery. While the book explores how relationships can influence personal growth, it’s important to note that you are not solely defined through your relationships with men; self-discovery and self-worth can be shaped outside of romantic relationships!!
Centered around a young, lost schoolteacher (Lóri) and her infatuation with an older philosophy professor (Ulisses), the book is basically a collection of her meandering and repetitive self-reflections, all primarily motivated by her interactions with this man.
I didn't care for this premise where a young girl discovers self-acceptance and her own meaning to life solely through her relationship with a man. Sure, the book frames it as her own independent journey that leads to her self-discovery, but it largely positions a man as the catalyst for that transformation. This dynamic isn't always innately problematic, but the man was insufferable… He embodies the ‘wise’ know-it-all older man trope, speaking to her in a patronizing manner and never missing an opportunity to launch into superficial lectures about life. This whole book felt like when you tell someone you’re not doing great, and they go on an entire orchestrated ramble about life’s intricacies and how you shouldn’t feel what you’re feeling…like nobody asked for all of that?? but nooo.. MISS LORI just ATE it UP...and took it as lessons to be learned about herself. Like girl stand up!? His condescending comments about her appearance and body didn't help either.
On top of that, the characters were just not compelling enough for me to be fully invested in a book that's entirely focused on Lóri’s excessive internal monologues. Her thoughts weren't particularly insightful and finishing this book felt like a chore.
Ultimately, An Apprenticeship or The Book of Pleasures feels limiting and outdated in its portrayal of a young woman’s self-discovery. While the book explores how relationships can influence personal growth, it’s important to note that you are not solely defined through your relationships with men; self-discovery and self-worth can be shaped outside of romantic relationships!!
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i really enjoyed this book!! this is the type of romance i can get behind. i really liked lóri, especially when we got to see her interact with and do things for her students. ulisses was actually an enjoyable character (unlike some other lispector male characters…i’m looking at you otávio.) this novel was very raw and transparent; i definitely connected with some of the things that lóri expressed. my favorite scenes were the ocean scene and the marketplace scene; i identified quite a bit with lóri during those moments. perfect short summer read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Sexual content, Alcohol
narrator spends a lot of time discussing the prospect of death, specifically the unknown nature of it and its impending occurrence; no death is shown in the novel, however.
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
a clarice lispector escreve tão lindamente, nunca li ninguém que consegue escrever tão bonito quanto ela.
