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laurentrowb's review against another edition
3.5
For such a short book, this little guy took me a long time to read. It was interesting, and I liked the interwoven stories of all of the characters.
Not being French, I found it hard to understand the political nuance, but overall, I liked this.
Not being French, I found it hard to understand the political nuance, but overall, I liked this.
nikki19_84's review against another edition
5.0
I loved how this book it a collection of little stories about a group of people that are only vaguely connected. It’s interesting that the title and the first chapter set out very clearly what you think the book is going to be about and then before you know it it’s about something else entirely.
jhentzen's review against another edition
3.0
Didn't love this one as much as The Red Notebook... and I glazed over the overly-political parts.
chryscurl's review against another edition
4.0
A gently satirical story with a strong nostalgic feel - I really enjoyed this. It was full of unexpected twists and turns, and had a gloriously colourful cast of characters.
jwlove333's review against another edition
3.0
Not as good as The Red Notebook. I still enjoy this author though and look forward to reading more from him.
aimeeslittlelibrary's review against another edition
5.0
There is not an Antoine Laurain book I haven’t loved. Whimsical, gently gutting, emotional, and bitter sweet. This is a story about nostalgia, grief, change, growing up and looking back. It touches on the idea of lost dreams, of lives not lived, but it is also deeply political. A proper lovely reading experience.
rebeccakb's review against another edition
3.0
Not at all what I expected after reading The President's Hat and The Red Notebook, yet still a fun read. The story of a group of teen friends, now adults, all of whom have gone their different ways and lost touch until an unexpected letter prompts one to try and contact the others. It is written in alternating voices, and blends past and present telling a "what if..." story that has a twist at the end.
caththooo's review against another edition
1.0
Awful. Gave it 103 pages but it was just a trail of names I couldn’t remember and insignificant events. Shame as The Red Notebook and The President’s Hat I really enjoyed.
bookwyrmknits's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
This was an interesting book... once I accepted it for what it was. I knew nothing about it going in—except that a blog friend had suggested a different book by this author, and that there was a cassette tape on the cover. I naively expected music to be a larger central theme for this book than it was.
Once I adjusted (the book is more about French politics, real and fictional, than it is about music) I was able to enjoy the characters and the plot for what it was. Though the plot focuses mostly around the characters who were in the band whose demo tape is pictured on the cover, I think my favorite characters were those who weren't part of that group. Aurore and Ivana, for example, are two very different young women but who resonated with me more than the bandmates did... even though I'm closer in age to the band.
Among the positives is that, to an American who has spent a little (too little) time in France, this novel felt like a good example of the culture. I can imagine this book fitting in quite well with what I know of the country, and bits of it were very reminiscent of my vacation time. Among the negatives is the focus on politics, especially the "to the right of the right" character.
Once I adjusted (the book is more about French politics, real and fictional, than it is about music) I was able to enjoy the characters and the plot for what it was. Though the plot focuses mostly around the characters who were in the band whose demo tape is pictured on the cover, I think my favorite characters were those who weren't part of that group. Aurore and Ivana, for example, are two very different young women but who resonated with me more than the bandmates did... even though I'm closer in age to the band.
Among the positives is that, to an American who has spent a little (too little) time in France, this novel felt like a good example of the culture. I can imagine this book fitting in quite well with what I know of the country, and bits of it were very reminiscent of my vacation time. Among the negatives is the focus on politics, especially the "to the right of the right" character.
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug use, Homophobia, Suicide, Xenophobia, and Islamophobia
pia_de_e's review against another edition
4.0
Even the most staid people can have an amusing and fun life in their youth. Such is the case of Doctor Alain Massoulier, who in his middle age receives a letter that has been lost in the mail for more than 30 years.
Alain was the guitarist for the new wave group "The Holograms", and sent a tape to a record company, never receiving an answer. Now, so many years later, he learns that the company was interested in them. The band broke up as nothing ever happened to encourage them to keep on playing, but now Alain is determined to find them and rebuild the group.
The book portrays all of the group members and hangers on, who have taken separate and quite dissimilar paths: there´s a right wing extremist, an artist, a hotel owner, a new age guru, an antiquarian, and a businessman.
The book portrays not only French Society, but modern society in general. As Im about the same age as the characters in the group are, I related 100% with the description of the 80's, the music, the clothes, etc. It's deep and light at the same time, and can be quite funny. When you think things are on a certain path, the plot will turn and leave you quite surprised.
Great book!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Alain was the guitarist for the new wave group "The Holograms", and sent a tape to a record company, never receiving an answer. Now, so many years later, he learns that the company was interested in them. The band broke up as nothing ever happened to encourage them to keep on playing, but now Alain is determined to find them and rebuild the group.
The book portrays all of the group members and hangers on, who have taken separate and quite dissimilar paths: there´s a right wing extremist, an artist, a hotel owner, a new age guru, an antiquarian, and a businessman.
The book portrays not only French Society, but modern society in general. As Im about the same age as the characters in the group are, I related 100% with the description of the 80's, the music, the clothes, etc. It's deep and light at the same time, and can be quite funny. When you think things are on a certain path, the plot will turn and leave you quite surprised.
Great book!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.