Reviews

The Crime of Sylvestre Bonnard by Anatole France

nastiayeah's review against another edition

lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

amelieoboken's review

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.5

sydneyrp143's review

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted 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

3.0

superlove's review

5.0

I remember picking this book at random from my local library. I can still see it on the shelf. I wasn't much of a reader at the time, but I liked the paper and font. It was old and felt good in my hands. It was the first American edition. I began to read and was instantly swept up in France's description of the protagonist's "City of Books" (his living room) and the second-hand booksellers on the quay. It was a beautiful story, visually evocative. I am sure it lit some sort of fire for me, a love of books that has never left. I was a late starter. Ever since, I feel I've been playing catch-up: there are so many books to read - so many I want to read - I'll never read them all.

This book changed my life, although I didn't know it at the time. It led me on a path to my current profession and to this moment right here, right now, writing this review. It did it subtly, not like a bolt of lightning.

If you read this book, be sure to get a nice old edition from the library or a used book dealer, not a modern paperback or reprint. Make sure the copy you read is from the 19th century. You'll be transported back in time.