Reviews

Holy shit.

This is some of the most gorgeous writing I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Chopin paints with words. The treatment of black and mixed race people is undoubtedly questionable but given the time period, I wasn't surprised. I love and hate Robert at the same time. It wouldn't have been practical to runaway together since that would have given Léonce full custody of the children, but if he hadn't fled to Mexico it could have been him spending time with a freer version of Edna instead of Arobin.

notevennoelle's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.0

I think I liked it better the first time i read it, as an edgy 16 year old. Edna is selfish (probably my least favorite trait in people ever) and I feel like she leaves the audience to grapple with her choices instead of facing them herself. it’s a short read, but it’s heavy. We also know how I feel about sad endings. I like the writing style and the prose a lot though.

bookph1le's review against another edition

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5.0

I really loved this book. The themes of a woman's ambivalence about her role in life still have resonance today.

oak_55's review against another edition

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5.0

this book is so good i love adultery

calliecella's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.25

annashiv's review against another edition

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3.0

I didn't like the first half of the book, but I wasn't exactly reading closely. I felt strangely close to Edna in a way I"m not used to, especially for such an irrational character. It was more interesting than I thought, but I probably won't ever read it again, but I'm glad I've at least read it.

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