Reviews

The Unknown Masterpiece by Honoré de Balzac

grxcezhxng's review against another edition

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4.0

inspiring picasso and cezanne, this wonderful little story creates so much generative discussion about what the value of art should be and what it means to be a modern artist

awenaur's review against another edition

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2.5

i really did not care a single bit
… okay looking back i kinda do care a little… perfectionism is a stupid little bitch and i hate it 

rsegovia's review against another edition

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fast-paced

3.5

mimpart's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

melineegout's review against another edition

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

3.0

nadnin's review against another edition

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3.0

3.5

pretentiousnerd's review against another edition

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inspiring mysterious reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

kdog's review against another edition

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challenging reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

romantiques's review against another edition

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4.0

“there is a first bloom in all human feelings, the result of a noble enthusiasm which gradually fades till happiness is no more than a memory, glory a lie.”

the unknown masterpiece was sooo good, but gambara made me angry because marianna really did deserve so much better

sirhe's review against another edition

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4.0

This collection features two stories from Balzac and both show the extent of the writer's skill. In one story, we learn of a master painter and in the following a master musician. Both stories provide insights into the artist's and the musician's world, but they may be challenging to follow. If you are more familiar with artists and artworks, read the unknown masterpiece. If you are more inclined towards music, opera, and music making, then read Gambara. Both stories have a similar message about starving artists and the creations of their genius but as I am more artistically inclined, I found the Opera, Melody, and musical note references hard to follow in Gambara. As for the Unknown Masterpiece, it was skillfully created and left much to ruminate on.

Happy Reading.