Reviews

Claudine at School by Colette

alannaredwood's review against another edition

funny lighthearted slow-paced

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

4.0

Would probably be five stars with a better translation, but alas. It's like a horny American Girl book, what more could you want? A plot? shhhhhhhh

shinebythemoon's review against another edition

3.0

2.5/5
Je n'arrive pas vraiment à déterminer si j'ai aimé ce livre ou non... Je n'ai pas détesté, ça se lit très bien, mais je n'ai pas trouvé un grand intérêt à ce livre non plus - il ne se passe pas grand chose et les personnages ne sont pas très intéressants (ou alors agaçants, et même parfois carrément détestables). Le style de l'écriture m'a toutefois beaucoup plus et me donne envie de découvrir d'autres travaux de Colette, que j'espère mieux apprécier que celui-ci.

fuckingsterling's review

inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

petrauusimaa's review against another edition

4.0

Delightfully sensual French classic with LGBT+ representation. Claudine is exactly the kind of girl I wouldn't like to have been friends with at school but that only makes her more interesting character to follow. I can imagine what kind of buzz this caused when it was first published in 1900 as it feels very contemporary at parts. After this I'm definitely hoping to read more French classics as this was an absolute pleasure to read.

aggieags17's review against another edition

5.0

Just finished this one (as part of the full series) and really loved it--for a book from 1900 that I'm reading for school, I picked a great read for my extended essay. It's made me laugh out loud many times, and is scattered with little snippets of beautiful description and genuine introspection of Claudine's, in between her bullying her friends and seducing Aimée, of course. It's only taken so long because it's long (tiny text) and I haven't had much time.

izabelleee's review against another edition

3.0

"Je m'appelle Claudine, j'habite Montigny ; j'y suis née en 1884 ; probablement je n'y mourrai pas."

Claudine à l'école est un livre à propos de Claudine, une fille espiègle, et ses mésaventures à son école. Je n'ai pas grand chose à dire sur ce livre. J'ai vraiment apprécié l'écriture et j'ai trouvé que Claudine était un personnage principal incroyable, mais à part ça, ce livre semblait être quelque chose qui n'était pas écrit pour moi, du moins pas à cette étape de ma vie. Cela ressemblait à un livre pour enfants, peut-être quelque chose que j'aurais aimé à onze ou douze ans.

Pourtant, c'était un livre assez amusant et facile. Je ne regrette pas de l'avoir lu et je le recommanderais si vous êtes d'humeur pour un simple classique.

3 étoiles.

unabridgedchick's review against another edition

4.0

This is the first of four novels tracking the life of winsome, clever Claudine. The story opens with the famously familiar sentence: My name is Claudine, I live in Montigny; I was born there in 1884; I shall probably not die there. Claudine's certitude and confidence propels her through her life, and in Colette's hands, tells her story with vivacious detail. Claudine's school life is full of intrigues, and even the seemingly simple task of passing exams is lush with drama and excitement. Speaking with a voice wiser than her years, Claudine is a critical observer, and she uses her gifts of beauty and wit to further herself as needed.

Although the Claudine novels were originally penned at the invitation of Colette's unscrupulous first husband, who was hoping for something scandalous to publish under his name, they do not lack depth, character development, or lyrical narrative. This is the kind of novel that deserves frequent rereading, and for those who haven't read it yet: do so now!

extemporalli's review against another edition

5.0

Who started reading the complete Claudine after watching Keira Knightley flounce around in Colette, hiiii yep it's me. This fin-de-siecle school story about noisy, wild and untamed Claudine was a lot of fun and I loved it - gimme a girl who is extremely gay and extremely spoilt and give her to me now! Even the teacher-student intrigues (which you normally probably couldn't get me to touch with a ten-foot pole) were made extremely palatable by Claudine's complete disregard for the rules and the fact that she always comes out on top. Think Anne of Green Gables in the novel's love of nature and its depiction of intense female friendship, but 100% more gay and naughty. Be gay and do crimes, indeed.

andragel's review against another edition

2.0

Too many lengthy descriptions for such a short book. Couldn't stand Claudine, such a spoilt brat. No memorable scene or quote. The only thing I liked was the naturalness of the same sex relationships described as if they were nothing special. A mediocre read that doesn't compare at all with her more popular Cheri

laureen_lamzc's review against another edition

funny reflective medium-paced

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

4.5