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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
Wanted to read it before I saw the movie. Lovely writing. Definitely felt the 1950s. Found the characters interesting and the relationship believable. Liked the growth arc of Therese. She never shied away from who she was or what she felt, but you could still watch her evolving from uncertainty to confidence. Carol reminded me of Mrs. Robinson from The Graduate. Seemingly in control but coming up against things she couldn't control and, therefore, vulnerable.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The first half was gripping; the relationship is obsessive and toxic and downright creepy. I was gripped. But then it just turned into a run-of-the-mill mid-century trope of queer misery. I begrudged finishing it.
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
sad
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Found it hard to finish but the afterword made me like the book a lot more, knowing the time it was published and how homosexuality was viewed back then. I struggled to see how there could be a hopeful ending to this book but the end was exactly right. Glad I read it.
A romance of forbidden lesbian love in the 1950s. I really enjoyed reading this. The historical look into what it meant to be gay in the 50s is fascinating. The prose is engaging and lush. I don't normally read romances, and I was slightly annoyed by the tropey ending, but I was surprised by how much I was drawn into the story. Oh, and it smolders. There aren't any outright sex scenes , but the sexual tension and desire are palpable.
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I loved it, I feel like rewatching the movie right now. I read it in swedish and the translation was not bad at all.