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somebody_else's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
clayjs's review against another edition
4.0
The other book by the guy whose best-known novel inspired Wilde's [b:The Picture of Dorian Gray|5297|The Picture of Dorian Gray|Oscar Wilde|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1424596966s/5297.jpg|1858012] is, for my money, a much more successful novel than [b:À rebours|1312641|À rebours|Joris-Karl Huysmans|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1358735926s/1312641.jpg|306152], and a much more honest depiction of the mindset of the Fin-de-Siecle. It's hard to say so after reading the black mass scene and the depictions of the crimes of Gilles de Rais, but this isn't just a sensationalized shocker; it's also the touching story of a young food-loving French author discovering he isn't as hardcore as he thought he was. Come for the bittersweet conversations about the death of the art of sacred bell wringing, stick around for a graphic description of someone pooping in someone else's disemboweled torso. Surprisingly lovable!
torjus's review
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
palomasstefani's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
alexander_jabber's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
There was a lot that I didn’t understand even with the help of the notes because I’m not well versed enough in Christian theology but it was surely an interesting read and actually funny at times, especially when they kept on ranting about the decadence of their current society. It did muster an interest within me to learn more about these topics that he brings up.
The most ridiculous thing that just won’t leave my mind is when des Hermies (the doctor) says that the heart and the penis are similar in form…💀💀
The most ridiculous thing that just won’t leave my mind is when des Hermies (the doctor) says that the heart and the penis are similar in form…💀💀
tirelpet's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
cynpath's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ezekielbyu's review against another edition
3.0
Very charming book about Satanists, adultery, the vagaries of materialism, and writing a biography about a serial child murderer. And medieval bell-craft. A real hoot.