Scan barcode
canadiantiquarian's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
mirandamacfar's review
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-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
0.25
neex's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
msjoanna's review against another edition
5.0
What amazed me about this book was the way that Lea managed to dominate my feelings about the book even though she only appears in one brief chapter and is only glimpsed through the eyes of Cheri. In the first book, Colette manages to describe with pitch-perfect text the emotions of doomed lovers and a woman facing the changes in her life as she ages. Here, we see the woman transformed from stylish and sexy courtesan to decidedly frumpy but brilliantly comfortable and happy middle/old age. I couldn't stand Cheri and am glad to see the last of him here as he mopes around moaning about how he's thirty (30!) and his youth and life is over and his marriage is pointless and all the rest. But the picture of Lea was so powerfully drawn that the book came together for me. I'm totally smitten with Colette. How had I totally missed this author before now?
mollyringle's review against another edition
3.0
As others have said: not a lot happens (till the very end, at least), but when it's written as beautifully as that, you don't entirely mind. For Cheri I felt some sympathy--his upbringing and influences were fairly terrible, so his messed-up state of mind isn't totally his own fault--but it's hard to see him as a grandly memorable protagonist. So it will be a pleasure to go on to other works of Colette's, wherein we get protags we can get behind more firmly.
kate_in_a_book's review against another edition
4.0
Since his introduction in Chéri, Chéri has fought in the First World War and returned to a Paris changed irrevocably. His wife has found purpose running a hospital for war veterans, which holds zero interest for Chéri. There is no longer a glittering whirl of parties to occupy his time. He’s depressed, but he doesn’t understand that.
The writing is of course beautiful, but it’s also thoroughly melancholy. Every page is suffused with sadness and/or confusion.
Can Chéri recover from his depression? Can he reconnect with Léa, the woman who trained him as her lover, who he has belatedly realised the importance of in his life? A chance meeting with Léa’s friend “The Pal” offers him the opportunity but following through comes with complications.
Read my full review: http://www.noseinabook.co.uk/2019/04/28/the-amount-of-precious-time-that-had-been-lost-to-him-for-ever/
The writing is of course beautiful, but it’s also thoroughly melancholy. Every page is suffused with sadness and/or confusion.
Can Chéri recover from his depression? Can he reconnect with Léa, the woman who trained him as her lover, who he has belatedly realised the importance of in his life? A chance meeting with Léa’s friend “The Pal” offers him the opportunity but following through comes with complications.
Read my full review: http://www.noseinabook.co.uk/2019/04/28/the-amount-of-precious-time-that-had-been-lost-to-him-for-ever/
cardigan06's review
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-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
2.75
More...