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elena_lowana's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyable, meditative read. Did not expect to enjoy it as much as I did going in; Babéris' work is deceptively simple and the translation does this understated form justice. I'm only frustrated now that there are not more of her works translated into english!
causticcovercritic's review against another edition
3.0
Great atmosphere and build-up, bit of a damp squib at the end.
everywordasymphony's review against another edition
mysterious
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
3.0
em_harring's review against another edition
4.0
[3.5 rounded up to 4]
A quiet, quick, contemplative novel about the choices we make with just a touch of nostalgia; a conversation taking place over the course of one afternoon, between two sisters. I liked it. It feels Very French in a way I can't quite describe (perhaps it's the contemplation). Overall, I'm not taking much away from the short novel, but I did enjoy my time with it.
A quiet, quick, contemplative novel about the choices we make with just a touch of nostalgia; a conversation taking place over the course of one afternoon, between two sisters. I liked it. It feels Very French in a way I can't quite describe (perhaps it's the contemplation). Overall, I'm not taking much away from the short novel, but I did enjoy my time with it.
scarletraven's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
moran's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.0
tracey21k's review
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I picked this up at No Alibis bookstore on my recent visit to Belfast, where it was one of the staff recommendations and I found the summary intriguing.
Incredibly atmospheric, set in the suburbs of Paris, the novel recounts an afternoon visit by the narrator to her sister, during which the latter reveals a previously untold episode from her past.
The author delicately manages themes such as life choices, roads taken and not taken, the complexity of relationships and the nature of truth ("Who really knows us? We say so few things, and we lie about almost everything. Who knows the truth?") in beautiful, evocative prose that kept me engrossed from beginning to end.
I really enjoyed this and would recommend it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Incredibly atmospheric, set in the suburbs of Paris, the novel recounts an afternoon visit by the narrator to her sister, during which the latter reveals a previously untold episode from her past.
The author delicately manages themes such as life choices, roads taken and not taken, the complexity of relationships and the nature of truth ("Who really knows us? We say so few things, and we lie about almost everything. Who knows the truth?") in beautiful, evocative prose that kept me engrossed from beginning to end.
I really enjoyed this and would recommend it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
zoolmcg's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I found this one by chance because I liked the cover, and I was in the mood for a quick read. This took less than a day to finish, and it’s a pleasant enough relaxing read if you’re looking for a slice of life type of narrative with a bit of mystery.
I think I liked the introduction the most out of the whole novel, because the background to the sisters’ dynamic is the foundation for the plot given to us. The talk about Jane Eyre was especially nice, and so much of the description is beautiful (which we can credit both Barbéris for writing and Cullen for translating so well). The childish and girlish romance ideals is reflected even in adulthood, and through speculation, the niece, Mélanie.
Claire Marie is a very interesting central character, which I find because of her housewife status in the family, and the secondary role she has in her own life. Suburbia is always a theme that fascinates me, and to have the town she lives in be framed as this place to visit, but not a place sustainable for living, makes her situation almost pitiful. She still thinks about Hermann all these years later, and in revealing these thoughts on a Sunday visit, proclaims the fact that she might never get over it.
I’d recommend this as an easy read, because it’s quite nice and i do think I enjoyed it. I didn’t find it to be spectacular, but it is pleasant and well written.
I think I liked the introduction the most out of the whole novel, because the background to the sisters’ dynamic is the foundation for the plot given to us. The talk about Jane Eyre was especially nice, and so much of the description is beautiful (which we can credit both Barbéris for writing and Cullen for translating so well). The childish and girlish romance ideals is reflected even in adulthood, and through speculation, the niece, Mélanie.
Claire Marie is a very interesting central character, which I find because of her housewife status in the family, and the secondary role she has in her own life. Suburbia is always a theme that fascinates me, and to have the town she lives in be framed as this place to visit, but not a place sustainable for living, makes her situation almost pitiful. She still thinks about Hermann all these years later, and in revealing these thoughts on a Sunday visit, proclaims the fact that she might never get over it.
I’d recommend this as an easy read, because it’s quite nice and i do think I enjoyed it. I didn’t find it to be spectacular, but it is pleasant and well written.