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amyingomar's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
emilywoodruff's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
kinda13's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
i thought i had accidentally opened up the Unabomber manifesto at a certain point. bro read hobbes for five minutes and went “what if this had SEX.” truly awful, boring, meandering, terribly written, without the least bit of salaciousness that you might expect even by 1920’s standards. if you want something like this but with actual meaning and actual controversy try joyce, and i shudder to even recommend joyce, but that’s how bad this was
rileyblundellwriter's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
wendylew's review against another edition
challenging
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
pluviophile's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.5
neilazaara's review
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I do get why it was banned for profanity back in the early 20th century, although I was expecting way worse and something of the level of ‘Dangerous Liaisons’ rather than this passionate ‘romance’.
I really love the writing. It’s beautiful. The descriptions of nature and the introspection into human feelings, emotions and relationships are just wonderfully depicted and put artfully into words. However, the story itself fell a bit flat as I would have expected a bit more character growth and relationship development. I had the feeling that Connie did have to take a lot upon herself while her lover didn’t had to really try to neither understand her nor change. In those moments, it really showed how it was a book written by a man. He somehow understood the complexities of womanhood and a woman’s view on relationships but failed to have the self awareness to realise that a woman would find Connie’s lover a bit subpar even if we consider how boring her husband was. Connie’s lover had more negatives than positives and wanting to escape boredom is one thing but leave a comfortable yet not uneventful life for struggle and headache with a bit of good sex is not really a decision that most women would make and especially not in those times, at that age or when part of noble society.
Overall, I liked quite a lot of it but it somehow felt a bit like a man’s dream despite some really interesting conversations and deep dives into human psyche, needs and relationships. I was expecting something way more controversial considering this book was banned and I was a bit disappointed at how unfinished the novel felt by the last page.
I really love the writing. It’s beautiful. The descriptions of nature and the introspection into human feelings, emotions and relationships are just wonderfully depicted and put artfully into words. However, the story itself fell a bit flat as I would have expected a bit more character growth and relationship development. I had the feeling that Connie did have to take a lot upon herself while her lover didn’t had to really try to neither understand her nor change. In those moments, it really showed how it was a book written by a man. He somehow understood the complexities of womanhood and a woman’s view on relationships but failed to have the self awareness to realise that a woman would find Connie’s lover a bit subpar even if we consider how boring her husband was. Connie’s lover had more negatives than positives and wanting to escape boredom is one thing but leave a comfortable yet not uneventful life for struggle and headache with a bit of good sex is not really a decision that most women would make and especially not in those times, at that age or when part of noble society.
Overall, I liked quite a lot of it but it somehow felt a bit like a man’s dream despite some really interesting conversations and deep dives into human psyche, needs and relationships. I was expecting something way more controversial considering this book was banned and I was a bit disappointed at how unfinished the novel felt by the last page.
tracie's review against another edition
3.0
Another book crossed off my banned books list. Perfectly fine book that didn't engage or move me emotionally. Can see why it was controversial at the time of publication but pretty mild by todays standards. And uh, the ending! My enjoyment of this was helped immensely by listening to it narrated by Dame Judi Dench.
slowpoke_fiona's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0