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thekatreturns's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is an all time favorite. If you loved Matilda as a child and are now a depressed adult, this is the book for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts
emilyinherhead's review against another edition
dark
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This story is told from two alternating viewpoints: that of a young French girl in a fancy Parisian apartment building, and that of the building’s 54-year-old concierge, who is a secretly intelligent and cultured widow. It took me a while to warm up to these two and to the elevated language in which they both narrate. But once I was on the book’s wavelength, I enjoyed it. At one point the concierge, Madame Michel, goes on a two-page rant about a single misused comma in a note she receives from a resident in the building, and I have to say—I am very here for this sort of extreme pettiness.
The overarching story is a bittersweet one. I won’t spoil any major plot points, but I will say the multi-generational friendship is lovely, as is the later-in-life romance, and the discovery of new hope and joy in daily existence.
The overarching story is a bittersweet one. I won’t spoil any major plot points, but I will say the multi-generational friendship is lovely, as is the later-in-life romance, and the discovery of new hope and joy in daily existence.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts
camillarossi's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Classism, Death, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Car accident, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Cancer and Death of parent
Minor: Drug use, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Infertility, and Alcohol
rosysnake's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
ayamaro's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Mental illness and Death
Minor: Sexual assault and Cancer
madamehowland's review against another edition
I tried, people kept talking about this book as being incredible but I just couldn't get through it. The two lead character both talk about how exceptionally intelligent they are and I found it very tiresome. I just couldn't get behind them as people and it was a push to get it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
baruss666's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
It has, without a doubt, become my favourite book. It has everything. There's no point in trying to describe, it just ticks it all.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Death, and Miscarriage
emmacspoor's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Suicidal thoughts
cassie7e's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A contemplative, slow paced book. The focus is not on plot but the internal lives of the characters mulling over how to find meaning in life. A few instances of offensive outdated language used casually (which jars me among the rest of the very intellectual and dense language).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
proudtobeabookaholic's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Omläsning för bokcirkeln och jag tyckte lika mycket om den nu som första gången!
Filosofiskt och vackert språk, underbara karaktärer och mysig, fransk miljö - vad mer kan en önska sig?!
Filosofiskt och vackert språk, underbara karaktärer och mysig, fransk miljö - vad mer kan en önska sig?!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts