Reviews tagging 'Death'

Lie with Me by Philippe Besson

35 reviews

blues's review against another edition

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

4.5

Ho letto questo libro tutto d'un fiato, lasciandomi trascinare dalla storia. E' stato sicuramente un colpo al cuore, mi ha fatto versare molte lacrime, ma è un libro che consiglierei a tutti, specialmente ai membri della comunità queer. Faccio davvero fatica a trovare le parole per descriverlo. 
I miei pensieri vanno a tutte quelle persone che, nonostante non siamo più negli anni '80, continuano a provare sentimenti simili a quelli di Philipphe e Thomas, a tutte quelle persone che per via di una società deviata continuano a reprimere le loro emozioni, i loro sentimenti, le loro identità, nella speranza che prima o poi tutto questo finisca davvero. 

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parasihir's review against another edition

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

4.0

I am intrigued by the way Philippe describes his love, his youth, and the love of his life. It is consuming, full of hunger, and quiet. It is far too quiet for the universe to hear, but loud enough for both of them to understand. I enjoy it thoroughly. Following the series of events that Philippe described is not that hard. With little effort, I can jump right in and see what Philippe was trying to depict. Of love. Of grief. And also, of yearning.

I just wanted to write to tell you that I have been happy during these months together, that I have never been so happy, and that I already know I will never be so happy again. 

Obviously, I cry.

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kirsten_marie's review against another edition

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4.5

I feel like I have to reread this soon to get all the details of the book. I especially enjoyed the first part of the book because it felt more descriptive and scenic to me than the rest, which was more flashbacks and dialogue. But overall, I enjoyed these few characters and their tragedy.

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dakotahreads's review

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emotional reflective sad medium-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? It's complicated

5.0


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jblawson's review

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emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

My, oh, my.


This book touched me in the deepest of ways, bringing out something I hadn’t felt in many years: the feeling of being seen in literature.

Though this story isn’t mine, the experience that is Phillipe’s often felt like my own. There is a particular experience that most (if not all) queer people must endure: love that cannot be. A swarming desire that must be compressed. I’ve experienced it myself.

This feeling of love, it transports me; it makes me happy. At the same time, it consumes me and makes me miserable, the way all impossible loves are miserable.

The double meaning of the translated title is pure genius. The nuance of the characters (specifically Thomas) is so well written. The unmistakable love that could not see the light of day ate away at me. The untarnishable mark that is left after a great love (and loss)… this book was so much more than I could’ve asked of it to be.

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clairedearest_'s review against another edition

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adventurous sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0


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lou_loo's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective sad 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? It's complicated

5.0


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mari_vangberg's review against another edition

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emotional sad

5.0


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risemini's review

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emotional sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0


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connorkuj's review against another edition

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

4.0


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