Reviews

Les enfants terribles by Jean Cocteau

romanticapricorn's review against another edition

adventurous funny inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-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

3.25

_dunno_'s review against another edition

4.0

A sort of surrealist reading. A love and hate experience of two orphan siblings (Paul, Elisabeth) which includes games (The Game, actually - their game) and plays that replace the real life. These games and especially the plays require partners and, mostly, an audience (Gerard, Agathe). And when the audience becomes too involved and the risk of intrusion in their inner word is too obvious, they are masterfully (and mischievously) removed.

neontulips's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

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

4.0

As an exploration of two young people fighting for control in their lives, in a world where they are forced to be independent far too young, this book excels. As a work of prose, this book excels. As an elaborate clue to Cocteau's homosexuality, this book excels.

exlibrismira's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

atomic_gardener's review against another edition

challenging mysterious reflective fast-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? It's complicated

2.75

joraud's review against another edition

dark emotional tense slow-paced

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

2.5

brettcarl's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

3.0

A fascinating, if not pretentious and cold novel that most definitely isn't a crowd-pleaser. Cocteau's prose,which at times can read as elitist and smarmy, is ultimately remarkable and showcases his substantial intellect through his exceptional use of language as seen by how the dialogue fully expresses the character's personality, but also the observations and insights Cocteau expresses are thought-provoking and intriguing. Additionally, the way Cocteau explores, evokes and examines the themes of the novel was fantastic and highly-intriguing too, and was one of the main reasons I kept reading as his exploration of youth as well as the trials, tribulations and realities of life on young people were incredibly insightful and felt not only fresh but important too.
Overall, Les Enfants Terribles is both a perplexing, profound novel exploring two young people both emotional and psychological stunted by the hardships, trials and tribulations of life. However, whether it's a memorable, satisfying, or exemplary novel is another thing and depending on who you ask you're bound to get drastically different answers. 

suzandeniz's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense fast-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

saint_rouge's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

halfmoon's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0