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3.13 AVERAGE
3.13 AVERAGE
She's a tart, but I don't blame her if all your offering her is your soppy, milquetoast-y, slavering puppy dog eyes! Get over it!
adventurous
emotional
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read it for a coursera class on relationships. It was very appropriate. However, the book seemed to drag on despite getting the real takeaway of the story pages ago. The writing style was entertaining at first but became a major factor in the book dragging on. It's narrated in a constant sense of urgency, which gets you through the first half of the novel quick. But then annoys you the second half. Not a bad book, but not a great book.
First thought after reading Manon Lescaut : There is only a thin veil between love and stupidity, indeed.
Chevalier des Grieux, a studious young man from a noble family, fell in love at the first sight with a beautiful young girl about to be admitted to a monastery. This girl, Manon Lescaut, was soon to be the focus of the story and des Grieux's life. For her, he left his family, his straight way of life, and his sanity in general. Manon turns to be perfidious, betrayed him several times, yet he always came back to her and made her his priority. Somehow he always found a reason for his lover's bad conduct, even when it was clear that she will led him to destruction
The way des Grieux romanticized Manon's behavior makes me shake my head in disbelief, but come to think of it, I am also guilty of this occassionally. Seeing the fault of person you love through rose-colored glass, I suppose, is not uncommon, even in modern times, although with different level of consequences. That is what makes this story still relevant until now. It's funny that you can identify (partially) with a story written for more than 200 years ago. People born and died, situations changed, but still we're committing the same sins for generation after generation. We blame the irrationality of love for this, and somehow we feel better because of that, but does that make it right?
It's interesting that the more I read Manon Lescaut, the more lectures on Freudian theory come to mind. Perhaps it is not perfectly comparable, but for me the enchanting Manon Lescaut is like personification of the Id, the worldly temptation who lured Chevalier des Grieux away from his pious way of life. Chevalier des Grieux was too weak to resist Manon's charm, and her irrational schemes and love for luxury led to their demise. In the other hand, kind Tiberge and his moral preaching serves as superego to Manon's Id. Tiberge's faithful and unquestioning friendship personify a "higher love" of God, who will always readily embrace sinners if only they make effort to come back, no matter how temporarily. It is understandable, considering this was written by a Benedictine abbot (allegedly based on his personal experience).
Compared to other classic works, this is surprisingly fast paced and easy to read. I find it enjoyable to read this book. Writing an essay based on this book for my course is, however, quite a different story...
Still, I won't complain if I have to reread this story for another essay, and that's always a good sign.
Chevalier des Grieux, a studious young man from a noble family, fell in love at the first sight with a beautiful young girl about to be admitted to a monastery. This girl, Manon Lescaut, was soon to be the focus of the story and des Grieux's life. For her, he left his family, his straight way of life, and his sanity in general. Manon turns to be perfidious, betrayed him several times, yet he always came back to her and made her his priority. Somehow he always found a reason for his lover's bad conduct, even when it was clear that she will led him to destruction
"There is nothing of wanton vice," said I to myself "in her transgressions; she is volatile and imprudent, but she is sincere and affectionate." My love alone rendered me blind to all her fault.
The way des Grieux romanticized Manon's behavior makes me shake my head in disbelief, but come to think of it, I am also guilty of this occassionally. Seeing the fault of person you love through rose-colored glass, I suppose, is not uncommon, even in modern times, although with different level of consequences. That is what makes this story still relevant until now. It's funny that you can identify (partially) with a story written for more than 200 years ago. People born and died, situations changed, but still we're committing the same sins for generation after generation. We blame the irrationality of love for this, and somehow we feel better because of that, but does that make it right?
I love Manon, I wade through sorrow and suffering in order to attain happiness with her. My path is one indeed of difficulties but the mere hope of reaching the desired goal makes it easy and delightful; and I shall think myself but too bountifully repaid by one moment of her society, for all the troubles I encounter in my course.
It's interesting that the more I read Manon Lescaut, the more lectures on Freudian theory come to mind. Perhaps it is not perfectly comparable, but for me the enchanting Manon Lescaut is like personification of the Id, the worldly temptation who lured Chevalier des Grieux away from his pious way of life. Chevalier des Grieux was too weak to resist Manon's charm, and her irrational schemes and love for luxury led to their demise. In the other hand, kind Tiberge and his moral preaching serves as superego to Manon's Id. Tiberge's faithful and unquestioning friendship personify a "higher love" of God, who will always readily embrace sinners if only they make effort to come back, no matter how temporarily. It is understandable, considering this was written by a Benedictine abbot (allegedly based on his personal experience).
Compared to other classic works, this is surprisingly fast paced and easy to read. I find it enjoyable to read this book. Writing an essay based on this book for my course is, however, quite a different story...
Still, I won't complain if I have to reread this story for another essay, and that's always a good sign.
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
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
A one star review is me being generous.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was kinda curious when I read the backcover of the novel. But, when I read it... I hated it.
Maybe it is just the edition but, I was unreadable.
I was not able to stand the writing style and how the book was planed. No chapters, no back at the line , notes everywhere...
And the story... Yes, it was kinda good but I hated the characters. The two main characters, I wasn't able to stand them.
I finished the book but with a lot of struggle...
Maybe it is just the edition but, I was unreadable.
I was not able to stand the writing style and how the book was planed. No chapters, no back at the line , notes everywhere...
And the story... Yes, it was kinda good but I hated the characters. The two main characters, I wasn't able to stand them.
I finished the book but with a lot of struggle...