Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.36 AVERAGE
3.36 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
sad
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:
Yes
I really enjoyed this book. The writing style is brutal with long sentences and now I am wondering if those long sentences are not a symbolism for the danger of a fast life without ever taking the time to consider your life choices and where you are heading. I may be reaching...
I enjoyed the characters' thoughts about his life and ultimately his realization that he missed the mark at a very important point in his life.
This is definitely very pessimistic all along. It can be considered as a warning signal to avoid living a life based on superficialities.
I enjoyed the characters' thoughts about his life and ultimately his realization that he missed the mark at a very important point in his life.
This is definitely very pessimistic all along. It can be considered as a warning signal to avoid living a life based on superficialities.
Truly funny and beautiful and interesting, loved every aspect houellbecq is a genius
I'm glad I pushed through the initial third of this book. Putting aside the provocation, the questionable thoughts and remarks, the violence and the sex, there's a lot of depth and even political analysis in this book.
"Seria eu capaz de ser feliz na solidão? Não acreditava nisso. Seria capaz de ser feliz no geral? É o tipo de pergunta que, creio, devem evitar fazer-se."
Este livro tinha tanto potencial. A sério. Tinha tudo para ser tão bem aproveitado, para ser algo muito melhor do que é. Não criei empatia com a personagem principal e em certos momentos a repetição do autor estava a deixar-me mais inquieta do que deliciada com a leitura.
Gostei da escrita e há efectivamente boas passagens e momentos no livro, mas acaba por ser só isso, na minha singela opinião.
Este livro tinha tanto potencial. A sério. Tinha tudo para ser tão bem aproveitado, para ser algo muito melhor do que é. Não criei empatia com a personagem principal e em certos momentos a repetição do autor estava a deixar-me mais inquieta do que deliciada com a leitura.
Gostei da escrita e há efectivamente boas passagens e momentos no livro, mas acaba por ser só isso, na minha singela opinião.
dark
sad
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:
Complicated
Underwhelming is an understatement. A sorry attempt at describing the life of a man morbidly depressed, Houellebecq allows much of his prejudices to bleed into his work. Both overtly and implicitly misogynistic, racist and unnecessarily homophobic, the attempt to demonstrate what Labrouste actually feels and how it has affected his life as well as his outlook on it does little by way of making the reader sympathetic to his situation. All the agriculture lingo is tedious at best. At worst, it’s completely irrelevant and only detracts from what little substance the story had in the first place. While I tried my best to remain impartial, the racism and misogyny in the text makes it difficult to focus on any underlying thematic elements and it detracts from the flow and over all body of the text. Not to mention, it takes away from any sort of immersion the reader might achieve.
Overall, an incredibly disappointing read I hoped I would like but ended up struggling to get through. It quickly became a chore and any enthusiasm there might have been in the first 5 pages was quickly dispelled.
Overall, an incredibly disappointing read I hoped I would like but ended up struggling to get through. It quickly became a chore and any enthusiasm there might have been in the first 5 pages was quickly dispelled.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual content
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
challenging
dark
sad
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
If I could give negative stars I would. No one should read this book. It is just hate and depression for the whole book and a huge middle finger to the reader saying that all the problems in the world come from humanity's inability to empathize with the worst of society. No thank you.
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content
Moderate: Racism, Self harm, Xenophobia
This bummed me out in a MAJOR way. Right up there with Lolita for Sheer Vileness.
I never venture into Cool, Contemporary Literature without regretting it
I never venture into Cool, Contemporary Literature without regretting it
“Those surges of love that flow into our chests and take our breath away – those illuminations, those ecstasies, inexplicable if we consider our biological nature, our status as simple primates – are extremely clear signs.
And today I understand Christ’s point of view and his repeated horror at the hardening of people’s hearts: all of these things are signs, and they don’t realise it. Must I really, on top of everything, give my life for these wretches?"
And today I understand Christ’s point of view and his repeated horror at the hardening of people’s hearts: all of these things are signs, and they don’t realise it. Must I really, on top of everything, give my life for these wretches?"