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its_literature's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
4.25
lovely little first love sort of book—introduction by aciman very illuminating—simultaneously innocently loving and yet passionately devoted
lakheni's review
4.0
I can understand why this book is a classic; at the time of its publishing it was a pioneering work on lesbian love. The theme is no longer novel but Olivia was still a short and pleasant read.
gormenghost's review against another edition
4.0
A poignant story about how poisonous first love could be. I found the voice of the teenaged protagonist very believable here.
ashynic's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
marua's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jashcraft88's review against another edition
4.0
3.75. Olivia, girl, you’re down bad. In all seriousness, this was an extremely well written depiction of first love. Or first infatuation. It’s also a story about the constraints a repressive society puts on our minds. It’s just 100 pages, but I think trimming 15 at the start would have really elevated my rating considerably. I love discovering little hidden classic gems so I will definitely read more from this author.
lyserature's review
3.0
This book perfectly captures what's it like to be a teenage girl infatuated with a female teacher (headmistress in this) imo.
I must feed on beauty and rapture in order to grow strong.
But there was no need of wine to intoxicate me. Everything in her proximity was intoxicating.
"Solemnity, nobility, beauty, love, were these then chimeras? No, no, a hundred times no! I believed in them. With my whole soul I believed in them. It was no waste of gifts and graces to pursue them."
"I had never thought of my body till that minute. A body! I had a body—and it was pretty."
elwhits's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Suicide attempt