Reviews

Claudine at School by Colette

rebeccaasavage's review against another edition

4.0

Reading these to sustain me as I work through The Second Sex, since Simone reference Colette’s work several times. This was absolutely lovely—Claudine’s voice was fresh and languorous and always self-possessed. I like having stories of girls who never doubt themselves.

miaducky9222's review against another edition

3.0

I expected more from this book – I've heard a lot of good things, and yet I really disliked it, mainly because Claudine is not a likeable character. Perhaps she wasn't meant to be. I understand that for its time this book may have been shocking and having a female character so confident in herself may have been a breath of fresh air, but I found her really frustrating and I didn't enjoy my time with her. Still, the writing was good and I did enjoy learning more about the school life in France at that time. I think the main problem I had was that I didn't find Claudine relatable at all – I myself was a very insecure teen, so she seemed more like a girl who would have hated and bullied me if we were in school together.

salomlamouette's review against another edition

funny lighthearted reflective

La narratrice Claudine est férocement joueuse dans ce récit d’enfance (et si délicieusement sapphique) ! Et quelle plume lorsque Colette écrit la nature, pouaah ! La première page est magnifique !

(euh par contre c’est quoi ce « Colette et Willy » sur la couverture de cette édition ?!?! Ça va pas non ?!?! Genre Colette n’est pas une vraie écrivaine et il faut se coltiner son mari, ah beh super………. Non mais n’importe quoi……..)

cemstoize's review against another edition

3.0

Autobiographical recount of the last months of school. Claudine is passionate, lively, witty and always looking to get herself in trouble. Loved the couleur locale of a 19th century French town.

edamamebean's review

adventurous funny lighthearted slow-paced

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

4.5

tillydaisym's review against another edition

lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? No

3.0

rosielazar1's review against another edition

funny 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

k_z's review against another edition

funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Adult/minor relationship

pharmdad2007's review against another edition

3.0

An interesting book. I really had no idea what to expect, having never read Colette before. It's interesting to think that this is mostly autobiographical, as the introduction implies. It gives one a much different idea of French provincial school life.

menacelavande's review against another edition

5.0

Lu à voix haute avec mon coloc, on s’est tordus de rire du début à la fin : c’est fabuleux.