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vagabonde's review
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
Minor: Child death
beneatthetrees's review against another edition
2.0
Yeah, I'm really not sure what to say about this book. I was excited to read a "naughty" French classic. But this was screwed up on so many different levels that it went from casually dirty (no real sex scenes) to casual thriller featuring a really messed up lead character. I use the term casual because the way (this edition, at least) is translated is extremely awkward and distant. The awkwardness comes from the novel being written in 1900 but having late-80s to early 90s slang: "When I say I love you, I mean it for keeps!"
FOR KEEPS???
There was also a lot of derogatory comments about other people's bodies that were liberally sprinkled with more 90s slang and I can't quite remember the exact quotes but it just led to a really disjointed read.
Then we have the main character.
She's a self-destructive train wreck. She can't allow herself to feel comfortable in any living situation and sabotages any happy/easy working situations for herself. At first, this habit is very subtle. But by the end But it's okay because he loves her "for keeps."
It was bizarre and unpleasant and dragged on due to the many flashbacks to old job situations that weren't relevant to anything, really. I wasn't a fan.
FOR KEEPS???
There was also a lot of derogatory comments about other people's bodies that were liberally sprinkled with more 90s slang and I can't quite remember the exact quotes but it just led to a really disjointed read.
Then we have the main character.
She's a self-destructive train wreck. She can't allow herself to feel comfortable in any living situation and sabotages any happy/easy working situations for herself. At first, this habit is very subtle. But by the end
Spoiler
she's marrying a man who kills animals in horrible ways, presumably murdered and raped a little girl in a horribly violent way, and who wants to profit off of her body.It was bizarre and unpleasant and dragged on due to the many flashbacks to old job situations that weren't relevant to anything, really. I wasn't a fan.
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