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moony_reads_'s review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
slow-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
5.0
“Celui qui passe à coté de la plus belle histoire de sa vie n'aura que l'âge de ses regrets et tous les soupirs du monde ne sauraient bercer son âme.”
Ironically, this is the theme of this story. Jonas/Younes is a spectator in his own life from beginning to end, his internal monologues are filled with regrets and what-ifs.
His struggle between two identities, the Arab and the French, the rich and the poor, the Muslim and the Christian, made him torn and left him incapable of taking a decision in fear of favoring one part of himself over the other.
This book is a love story but it goes beyond that. It’s the search for who you are, it’s taking life and making it what you want, it’s the lost causes, the words left unsaid, the roads not traveled and the people who we gain and lose through it all.
Ironically, this is the theme of this story. Jonas/Younes is a spectator in his own life from beginning to end, his internal monologues are filled with regrets and what-ifs.
His struggle between two identities, the Arab and the French, the rich and the poor, the Muslim and the Christian, made him torn and left him incapable of taking a decision in fear of favoring one part of himself over the other.
This book is a love story but it goes beyond that. It’s the search for who you are, it’s taking life and making it what you want, it’s the lost causes, the words left unsaid, the roads not traveled and the people who we gain and lose through it all.
bullibulle's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-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
4.0
agatmd's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
100reads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
Algerian history. That love story was exhausting!
solenette's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
gtzbyas's review against another edition
3.0
Boring j’ai bien aimé que la fin et la retrouvaille des personnages
sofiadjzr's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
christensen5's review against another edition
4.0
4.
A devastating, melancholy read. Younes is at once a reflection of and a stark counterpoint to his long-suffering father. His journey is peppered with misfortune, intensified at every turn by his stubborn refusal to seize upon opportunity.
This translation is solid, even excellent in parts (Younes' self-reflective moments, and the passages pertaining to love and desire especially so), but falls far short of the extraordinary beauty of the original. If you can read it in French I thoroughly encourage you to!
A devastating, melancholy read. Younes is at once a reflection of and a stark counterpoint to his long-suffering father. His journey is peppered with misfortune, intensified at every turn by his stubborn refusal to seize upon opportunity.
This translation is solid, even excellent in parts (Younes' self-reflective moments, and the passages pertaining to love and desire especially so), but falls far short of the extraordinary beauty of the original. If you can read it in French I thoroughly encourage you to!