Reviews

Contempt by Alberto Moravia

langfordreview's review

emotional reflective 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

3.5

njw13's review

dark emotional reflective sad 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? It's complicated

3.5

kkonty's review

challenging dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

leic01's review

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Infidelity and Car accident

alessia_prete's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-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? It's complicated

5.0

ady_pav's review

emotional reflective tense fast-paced

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

5.0

tammeke's review

reflective tense 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

3.0

this deluuuuusional ass least intellectual intellectual man pissed me off on so many levels i cannot even begin to describe 😭

_coco_'s review

reflective slow-paced

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

4.25

 

Moravia’s novel is a slow, painful, yet satisfying read. It reads like a modern Hamlet, with the anti-hero desperately struggling to discern what ‘is’ from what ‘seems’. 

This book is undoubtedly human. Moravia doesn’t hold back from showing the shameful, irrational side of the human psyche, so desperate to find fulfilment in an unfulfilling world. Through the exploration of the protagonist’s oscillating state-of-mind, Moravia crafts a story that acts as a warning for the power of introspection and self-destruction, and the risks of love and passion. 

This book was moving and frustrating and reflective, and I would highly recommend to anyone who wants to question themselves and how they act in their relationships, both professionally and privately. 

I did find that the book initially dragged on, but I can’t help but feel it made the latter parts of the novel more rewarding. 

Overall, a very decent read that will absolutely be worth your time. 

still_life_with_guitar's review

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

This one is a slow burn - the brilliant second half is worth the getting through the first, and the back third really is incredible.

alex_papas7's review

5.0

Βασανιστικά ωραίο....τραγικά υπέροχο
Ιδιοφυή η χρήση της Οδύσσειας και οι παραλληλισμοί..