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chiarawolter's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
canaleonora's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
5.0
jihyeeroy's review against another edition
3.5
L’écume des jours est l’un de ces romans dont j’ai de la difficulté à me faire une opinion. En effet, je n’ai pas particulièrement apprécié ma lecture, n’y voyant ni le sens, ni la musicalité et ni la beauté tant proclamés.
J’ai donc dû faire plusieurs recherches afin de comprendre son succès. Sans étonnement, j’ai appris que ce roman a été écrit très rapidement (moins d’1 an) et qu’il n’a connu aucun succès du vivant de l’auteur. Je crois que c’est ça, en fait, mon problème. En lisant, je trouvais le texte superficiel, tellement compliqué avec des tournures de phrases trop longues et alambiquées. On aurait vraiment dit que c’est un roman peu édité … voire qui n’a pas été assez retravaillé.
Mais, sur ce point qui m’a perdu, je comprends également pourquoi ça en fait son succès. Vian brise carrément les normes et conventions des genres et des formes littéraires classiques en tombant dans un surréalisme fataliste qui parle à plusieurs. Le texte est aussi jalonné de beaux passages, tellement poétiques et crève-cœur sur des thèmes universels d’amour, de maladie et de mort. Je perçois, mais sans vraiment le voir pleinement, ce talent de Vian qu’on déclare partout. Tant mieux pour eux, et tant pis pour moi. J’aurais aimé adoré ce roman et peut-être que ma déception naît de cette attente.
J’ai donc dû faire plusieurs recherches afin de comprendre son succès. Sans étonnement, j’ai appris que ce roman a été écrit très rapidement (moins d’1 an) et qu’il n’a connu aucun succès du vivant de l’auteur. Je crois que c’est ça, en fait, mon problème. En lisant, je trouvais le texte superficiel, tellement compliqué avec des tournures de phrases trop longues et alambiquées. On aurait vraiment dit que c’est un roman peu édité … voire qui n’a pas été assez retravaillé.
Mais, sur ce point qui m’a perdu, je comprends également pourquoi ça en fait son succès. Vian brise carrément les normes et conventions des genres et des formes littéraires classiques en tombant dans un surréalisme fataliste qui parle à plusieurs. Le texte est aussi jalonné de beaux passages, tellement poétiques et crève-cœur sur des thèmes universels d’amour, de maladie et de mort. Je perçois, mais sans vraiment le voir pleinement, ce talent de Vian qu’on déclare partout. Tant mieux pour eux, et tant pis pour moi. J’aurais aimé adoré ce roman et peut-être que ma déception naît de cette attente.
billycrouse's review against another edition
2.0
why do none of the reviews mention the blatant racism, sexism, homophobia, or ableism? this was awful
alcaline's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
letty_and_books's review against another edition
5.0
Lu quand j'étais ado, un énorme coup de coeur !
charlottepqt's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
scabral's review against another edition
4.0
Magnífico, como quase tudo o que o Boris Vian escreveu.
carolanne_'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
nonabgo's review against another edition
4.0
What did I just read? I don't know if I liked this book or if it completely baffled me. But it was definitely nothing I could have expected.
Is this... fantasy? Is it absurd literature? All I know is that I felt I was simultaneously in a dream and in a nightmare. It was horrific in part, completely humorous, absurd to the stars, sad occasionally. Boris Vian also made use of language you think you understand, but the words are completely invented and bring a touch of hilarity to what is essentially a tragic love story.
I chose to interpret this novel as a metaphor for young relationships and what happens to them after the initial romance phase is gone. Some choose to fight and stay by each other's site (as Colin and Chloe do), others are swallowed by vice and hardship (much like Chick and Alise). Happiness is not a given in Vian's nightmarish world, but he dissects the psychology behind love, coupled or casual, and how it is affected by wealth or lack thereof, obsession, addiction, sickness.
In Vian's novel, the space becomes a character in itself, interfering with the lives of people or being affected by them. Colin's apartment is a living animal, cuddly and carefree when its inhabitants are so, disintegrating as the lives of Colin and Chloe take a bad turn. The world is initially lovely, taken right out of a futuristic picture, but it develops into this harrowing place where charming things turn dark and destructive. Magic becomes corruption. Sweetness becomes pungency.
The author filled his world with tastes and sounds. Music is made and can produce lovely and colorful cocktails. People are songs. The food is gorgeous (albeit with a touch of absurdity). Smells accompany the characters at every step, and we are also smelling, tasting and hearing, along with them. The universe is alive and mesmerizing to the point where I became hungry or really really drew back because of the cloying smell of the hundreds of flowers surrounding Chloe.
The novel also feels cartoonish, like watching a movie which suddenly becomes and animation (one particular episode of Lucifer comes to mind, for reference). It enhances the absurdity of the whole story, to witness skating rink accidents or weird remorseless murders. It reminds me, somewhat, of Lewis Carroll's "Through the Looking-Glass".
I'm still not very sure if I liked it, but it was definitely hypnotic and for that, Mess. Vian, I applaud you.
Is this... fantasy? Is it absurd literature? All I know is that I felt I was simultaneously in a dream and in a nightmare. It was horrific in part, completely humorous, absurd to the stars, sad occasionally. Boris Vian also made use of language you think you understand, but the words are completely invented and bring a touch of hilarity to what is essentially a tragic love story.
I chose to interpret this novel as a metaphor for young relationships and what happens to them after the initial romance phase is gone. Some choose to fight and stay by each other's site (as Colin and Chloe do), others are swallowed by vice and hardship (much like Chick and Alise). Happiness is not a given in Vian's nightmarish world, but he dissects the psychology behind love, coupled or casual, and how it is affected by wealth or lack thereof, obsession, addiction, sickness.
In Vian's novel, the space becomes a character in itself, interfering with the lives of people or being affected by them. Colin's apartment is a living animal, cuddly and carefree when its inhabitants are so, disintegrating as the lives of Colin and Chloe take a bad turn. The world is initially lovely, taken right out of a futuristic picture, but it develops into this harrowing place where charming things turn dark and destructive. Magic becomes corruption. Sweetness becomes pungency.
The author filled his world with tastes and sounds. Music is made and can produce lovely and colorful cocktails. People are songs. The food is gorgeous (albeit with a touch of absurdity). Smells accompany the characters at every step, and we are also smelling, tasting and hearing, along with them. The universe is alive and mesmerizing to the point where I became hungry or really really drew back because of the cloying smell of the hundreds of flowers surrounding Chloe.
The novel also feels cartoonish, like watching a movie which suddenly becomes and animation (one particular episode of Lucifer comes to mind, for reference). It enhances the absurdity of the whole story, to witness skating rink accidents or weird remorseless murders. It reminds me, somewhat, of Lewis Carroll's "Through the Looking-Glass".
I'm still not very sure if I liked it, but it was definitely hypnotic and for that, Mess. Vian, I applaud you.