Reviews tagging 'Infidelity'

Vălul pictat by W. Somerset Maugham

8 reviews

mousecat's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity and Racism

Moderate: Death and Vomit

Minor: Death of parent

amris's review against another edition

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity and Racism

jedore's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

“You know, my dear child, that one cannot find peace in work or in pleasure, in the world or in a convent, but only in one’s soul.”

Another book from the start of my TBR list more than two decades ago. Loved it! 

It had all the ingredients I treasure…history, a fascinating location, complex characters, shades of grey instead of black and white, emotional depth, women’s empowerment, and a reasonably unpredictable storyline. And, despite being a “classic,” it was a very easy and quick read. Right after I finish this review, I’m going to add more W. Somerset Maugham books to my list! 

Watching the film adaptation with Ed Norton and Naomi Watts on Netflix now and it’s also good!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Pregnancy, Colonisation, and Pandemic/Epidemic

Moderate: Sexism, Medical content, and Abandonment

Minor: Drug use and Classism

jlpearce06's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity

Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Vomit, Grief, and Pandemic/Epidemic

honeyapple's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Infidelity, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Racism

lipka's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity and Racism

Moderate: Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, and Classism

Minor: Animal death, Confinement, Drug use, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

museaway's review against another edition

hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is my favorite book. I re-read it every few years and my feelings toward it evolve as I get older. I like the movie adaptation just fine, but the book's ending is so much more satisfying, even though Kitty gets to deliver that zinger in the film. 

The book is about a woman who has been defined by her looks since youth, coming to learn what's actually important to her--and who. 

Head's up for racism on Kitty's part when she's in China. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Infidelity and Racism

sel_'s review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Maugham takes the reader on a journey that follows a rather unlikeable protagonist who shows significant character growth throughout the story. Immoral behaviour, sickness, racism, and clash of values are all part of that story and make for a great read. It's definitely not a book where you should simply agree with the worldview the protagonist suggests but rather critically engange with what is written. 
It's a story I can highly recommend! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Infidelity, and Racism