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A review by anam_victoria
Gigi and The Cat by Colette
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Individual ratings:
Gigi 5/5
The Cat 3.5/5
It's funny how I preferred Gigi to The Cat, and wished it was the longer novella out if the two, yet I found Alain in The Cat to be much more relateable. I understand his struggle as an only child to try and accept an "outsider" (be that even his wife) into his "kingdom" (i.e., his childhood home). Only only-children can understand the inexplicable rage that can take one over when they are forced to learn how to share privileges they weren't even aware they had, such as the calmness and quietness of having your own room and the option to be alone with your yourself (and your beloved cat) whenever you desire. However, my sympathy for Alain ends when I begin to see how pathetic he is in that he chose to marry a woman he did not love enough to be willing to "grow-up" for. The way he behaves like he does not have a saying in whatever is happening in his life made him infurating for most of the story. We can see that he has the ability to clearily articulate what is it that he desires, but he's too immature to own up to it to Camille, probabily because he is afraid he is going to lose the ability to enjoy their "marriage pleasures". Basically, he wants to have his cake and eat it too. This novella reminded me that spoiled men are the worst type to seek out and that women shouldn't even bother until they're out of their early 20s and have had to face real-life struggles without their mommy's protection.
Gigi 5/5
The Cat 3.5/5
It's funny how I preferred Gigi to The Cat, and wished it was the longer novella out if the two, yet I found Alain in The Cat to be much more relateable. I understand his struggle as an only child to try and accept an "outsider" (be that even his wife) into his "kingdom" (i.e., his childhood home). Only only-children can understand the inexplicable rage that can take one over when they are forced to learn how to share privileges they weren't even aware they had, such as the calmness and quietness of having your own room and the option to be alone with your yourself (and your beloved cat) whenever you desire. However, my sympathy for Alain ends when I begin to see how pathetic he is in that he chose to marry a woman he did not love enough to be willing to "grow-up" for. The way he behaves like he does not have a saying in whatever is happening in his life made him infurating for most of the story. We can see that he has the ability to clearily articulate what is it that he desires, but he's too immature to own up to it to Camille, probabily because he is afraid he is going to lose the ability to enjoy their "marriage pleasures". Basically, he wants to have his cake and eat it too. This novella reminded me that spoiled men are the worst type to seek out and that women shouldn't even bother until they're out of their early 20s and have had to face real-life struggles without their mommy's protection.