Reviews

Pauvres Petits Chagrins by Paul Gagné, Miriam Toews, Lori Saint-Martin

laurpal74's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad 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

bkersey01's review against another edition

4.0

First read of 2024! Liked this very much- I was initially doubtful of the tragicomic tone but all characters are well written and it’s very easy to fall into this world. I was also apprehensive because I didn’t like Sarah Polley’s Women Talking film, but it likely has much more to do with Polley’s work than Miriam Toews’ book. I look forward to reading more of her work!

agmaynard's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful 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? Yes

5.0

Audio, narrated beautifully by Erin Moon. Bio-flavored episodic novel that’s magnificent, sad, humorous, loving. Had to put down and return a number of times. Highly recommended if you can handle it. 

groovywitch's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful 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? Yes

5.0

jimgibreads's review against another edition

dark emotional funny 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? Yes

5.0

tentativequinox's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

4.25

commonworm's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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

catucousi's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-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? Yes

4.0

jennyluwho's review against another edition

3.0

The writing is very good.
The subject matter depressing.
I found the story not worth telling, which probably makes me heartless since I think there’s a semi-autobiographical tie to the author’s sister.

bibi003's review against another edition

4.0

I listened to this on audiobook and the narrator was wonderful.

Miriam Toews is pure magic when it comes to breaking my heart and putting it back together all in one swift movement. She is one of my favourite Canadian authors. The sense of place is strong in this novel, set between a small Manitoba Mennonite community, Winnipeg and Toronto.

Yoli's voice is strong and true. Self-reflective, honest, despairing, courageous. Never self-pitying. This novel made me feel so many feelings. I cried (a lot). I laughed. I felt like I was in conversation with a close friend.

I did some research on Toews herself and discovered that she lost her own father and sister to suicide. This novel reads like cathartic letter to a lost love.