patk's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
frankiecully's review against another edition
4.0
I really loved this little book.
The only reason it is not getting 5 stars is because of some of the long, boring, and i felt unnesscary philosophical parts. Just droned on. Like I get it......you are smart.
Enjoyed the short/alternating chapters.
Loved the characters. True friendship.
The only reason it is not getting 5 stars is because of some of the long, boring, and i felt unnesscary philosophical parts. Just droned on. Like I get it......you are smart.
Enjoyed the short/alternating chapters.
Loved the characters. True friendship.
tawallah's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
Never thought I would find a philosophical book interesting and calming. Muriel Barbery takes an ordinary setting, a rich Parisian apartment complex with two protagonists that aren’t the usual star material. But they both share certain qualities, writing vignettes about life : loneliness, class divide, family, Art, Beauty and literature.
This was both difficult with all the philosophical bent and yet quite compelling to read.
This was both difficult with all the philosophical bent and yet quite compelling to read.
kasiabrenna's review against another edition
3.0
I loved this book, up until the ending. It felt out of place to me, like the author couldn't think of a good resolution and took the easy, dramatic way out.
colleenbee's review against another edition
5.0
Gorgeous story. It took me awhile to get into it, but about halfway through I became invested in the characters and finished it in a day. Beautifully written.
susanreadstheworld's review against another edition
The style made me want to scream and life is too short to bother with clunky, pretentious writing. Girl, bye
alleeme's review against another edition
4.0
At first I wasn’t sure about this book. For one thing it reads a bit like a philosophy text. Exploring BIG IDEAS through journal-like entries from two narrators. Although certainly more interesting than a college philosophy text, it was still a bit dense and dry.
Also, it risks elitism. As much as the narrators both seem to look down on the pseudo-intellectualism of the upper class in France, they also have their own pseudo-intellectual elitism and prejudice thoughts against many segments of society without really having given people a chance. Perhaps due to their own introverted natures. Lastly, it risks exoticizing the East. Sort of approaching Japanese culture a bit too romantically in a way that many Westerners do that ignores the whole society of another country by focusing on some idealized summation of supposed moral superiority that glosses over the fact that all cultures have bad things and good things to offer the world.
And well, for all the above criticism I loved this book. Renée and Paloma are two sides of the same coin. Old and young, rich and poor, they are kindred spirits, soul mates, speaking with different but almost the same voice. Also, chapter 14 in the Summer Rain section: this contains the funniest and best embarrassing bathroom scene in literature.
The ending was surprising and sad; some have said that it is disappointing. It is disappointing in that I loved the characters by the end and wanted good things for them, but this just made tragedy that much more moving.
Also, it risks elitism. As much as the narrators both seem to look down on the pseudo-intellectualism of the upper class in France, they also have their own pseudo-intellectual elitism and prejudice thoughts against many segments of society without really having given people a chance. Perhaps due to their own introverted natures. Lastly, it risks exoticizing the East. Sort of approaching Japanese culture a bit too romantically in a way that many Westerners do that ignores the whole society of another country by focusing on some idealized summation of supposed moral superiority that glosses over the fact that all cultures have bad things and good things to offer the world.
And well, for all the above criticism I loved this book. Renée and Paloma are two sides of the same coin. Old and young, rich and poor, they are kindred spirits, soul mates, speaking with different but almost the same voice. Also, chapter 14 in the Summer Rain section: this contains the funniest and best embarrassing bathroom scene in literature.
The ending was surprising and sad; some have said that it is disappointing. It is disappointing in that I loved the characters by the end and wanted good things for them, but this just made tragedy that much more moving.
amouseketeer's review against another edition
4.0
A celebration of small precious moments in life when beauty represents itself, and humans are wise and heartbroken enough to notice its passing grace. The book itself is a fascinating read with so many quotable passages. It reminds me a lot of Erik Satie's music for some reason, probably because of the airy atmosphere of lightness and leisure. The English translation, however, seems too uneven and truncate at times. I would have to try and read it in its original language some time soon. I'm afraid I've missed quite a lot of charming prose that got lost in translation.
annabella82's review against another edition
4.0
I’m a sucker for philosophical books with quirky/intelligent characters...this one didn’t disappoint.
I like the main characters. Both are brilliant and both hide their intellect behind the disguises they show to the world since neither really fits into the world that they occupy.
I love how a somewhat easy plot grows slowly/quietly then suddenly turns into this great story.
I like the main characters. Both are brilliant and both hide their intellect behind the disguises they show to the world since neither really fits into the world that they occupy.
I love how a somewhat easy plot grows slowly/quietly then suddenly turns into this great story.