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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
Poor Bartleby. Such a loser. I could go into great depth on clinical depression or existential angst, but I'd prefer not to...
funny
Kinda-boring
Kinda-sad
Kinda-heavy-on-the-symbolism
For-school-read
But I still kinda liked it?
Kinda-sad
Kinda-heavy-on-the-symbolism
For-school-read
But I still kinda liked it?
I've been hearing about this story for years, and now I've finally read it, and I don't know what to think.
Je découvre Melville avec cette nouvelle mythique. La brève et troublante histoire de Bartleby, employé au comportement insolite, embauché par le narrateur en tant que commis aux écritures. Copiste studieux, Bartleby s’avère être un personnage désarmant. Refusant toute autre tache en dehors de la copie pure et simple, il se borne à répondre systématiquement à son patron : « Je préfèrerais ne pas », chaque fois que celui-ci lui émet la moindre requête. Le narrateur fait partager au lecteur son désarroi face à l’attitude imperturbable et entêtée de Bartleby, mais aussi sa sympathie avec ce curieux personnage, jusqu’à un dénouement étrange et inexpliqué. Insolite et captivant, mais aussi délicieusement frustrant !
Not sure how it took me so long to read this, but it is tremendous.
Melville is a genius with words. I can quote a dozen sentences out of this story that have such perfectly chosen words. It's great, really. The story on the other hand... I really enjoyed the beginning (the subtle puns were fantastic). The story was intriguing and kind of funny, but the end was disappointing and a bit dull (maybe even a bit rushed? Can it be rushed and standing still at the same time?). I think I was expecting something more... out there-or weird and so the real ending just fell flat with me.
I would still recommend this to anyone with an appreciation for language, though. And until the end, it's still an interesting story.
I would still recommend this to anyone with an appreciation for language, though. And until the end, it's still an interesting story.
I loved this novella. Many focus on Bartleby's character but I was so consumed with the narrator's thoughts and how unlike most, he felt responsible for Bartleby. Bartleby caused him so much confusion and trouble and yet he was human enough to still take an interest in him. This story has aged very well indeed.
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes