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book_busy's review against another edition
5.0
This novel is so elegantly tragic; I devoured it in two days like arsenic-laced cookies.
neavevmcc_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nad_books623's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Murder, Homophobia, and Classism
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Misogyny
Minor: Child death
bluemondayy's review against another edition
4.0
"The journey to the grave is already begun, the journey to corruption is, always, already, half over. Yet, the key to my salvation which cannot save my body, is hidden in my flesh."
ekeenan27's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
4.75
aelzz93's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
catrinmary's review against another edition
gnawing at the bars of my brain enclosure (skull)
maekus12's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
teavani's review against another edition
4.0
4.3
borrowed physical copy
i was really engrossed by the last 1/3 of the book. there are a couple conversations (about women b/w Hella and David, and of course b/w Giovanni and David) that had me staying up late in order to finish.
i wish i could read this in a more analytical setting like in an english lit classroom bc i think there were definitely some parts that went over my head. for example i understood the surface level comparison of american vs french attitudes but im sure there’s a deeper interpretation im missing. same with the sailor scene - went back and re-read it and picked up on the foreshadowing but maybe there was more
other
- the symbolism of the room itself - very consistent, the shame and self-hatred perturbing every part of david’s connection with giovanni, the lack of order
- time skips/changes throughout
- hella was a really interesting character, with her thoughts on womanhood and her connection with that role
- the alienation david feels due to his internalized homophobia/repulsion of his queer desire, and the resulting cruelty he unleashes towards Giovanni
side note i would like to thank emily in paris for teaching me the word merde, as i didn’t have to google translate it <3
borrowed physical copy
i was really engrossed by the last 1/3 of the book. there are a couple conversations (about women b/w Hella and David, and of course b/w Giovanni and David) that had me staying up late in order to finish.
i wish i could read this in a more analytical setting like in an english lit classroom bc i think there were definitely some parts that went over my head. for example i understood the surface level comparison of american vs french attitudes but im sure there’s a deeper interpretation im missing. same with the sailor scene - went back and re-read it and picked up on the foreshadowing but maybe there was more
other
- the symbolism of the room itself - very consistent, the shame and self-hatred perturbing every part of david’s connection with giovanni, the lack of order
- time skips/changes throughout
- hella was a really interesting character, with her thoughts on womanhood and her connection with that role
- the alienation david feels due to his internalized homophobia/repulsion of his queer desire, and the resulting cruelty he unleashes towards Giovanni
side note i would like to thank emily in paris for teaching me the word merde, as i didn’t have to google translate it <3
dapunu's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.75
just… wow