neenor's review against another edition
2.0
Pre-book group review
The End of Eddy was chosen as the monthly book for the translated fiction reading group I’ve started attending, and to begin with I was really, really excited to get started. The front and back covers are filled with praise for the novel, saying how “mesmerising” and “rare” it is. However, I found that halfway through the story, I had already clocked out.
Don’t get me wrong - I understand how important novels like this are, as they act as stepping stones towards conversations about inequality and injustice. However, I found that The End of Eddy was incredibly detached - it’s practically based on the author’s life, but there was no emotion in it. Some parts of the novel hit you like a ton of bricks, because not only was the subject uncomfortable, but it was told in a very stark, cold manner - it felt like being slapped. I mean, maybe that was the point? Maybe it’s supposed to shock, because the events described (the horrendous bullying, the continuous homophobia, what was essentially rape/paedophilia) are shocking, and they are a problem that needs to be addressed. If that’s the point, then fair enough, message noted - but it just didn’t sit well with me. It’s a miserable, unhappy book, and can only be read in small doses. Not for me, I’m afraid.
Post-book group review
So, it turns out I was the only one who didn’t enjoy the novel, but having come away from listening to everyone’s interpretations, I do feel a bit differently. I still stick by my first impression, which is that it’s cold and shocking, and the lack of enjoyment I got from it made me struggle to want to read it. However, during the discussion, other members brought up the fact that at the beginning, the author states that his life was not all bad, but that the terrible bits seemed to dominate the good - and being reminded of that somehow made me like the novel more? At no point does the author set you up for a happy story or a happy ending - he’s very honest, and thinking back, I do believe that the book delivers what it intends to deliver.
Discussing the novel, I also realised that maybe part of my disinterest in the story is because I absolutely cannot relate to it. The protagonist is a white male homosexual who grew up in a small and very poor village in France; I am a black female, who although identifies as pansexual, is in a heterosexual relationship, and has always lived in cities in the UK. My reality is far different from the reality of the author - I couldn’t connect with the story because it is hard for me to understand. And I think that’s valid. I am grateful at having been directed towards this book, however, and after hearing what everyone else thought, I think I’m going to give his second novel a try - maybe with more of an open mind.
The End of Eddy was chosen as the monthly book for the translated fiction reading group I’ve started attending, and to begin with I was really, really excited to get started. The front and back covers are filled with praise for the novel, saying how “mesmerising” and “rare” it is. However, I found that halfway through the story, I had already clocked out.
Don’t get me wrong - I understand how important novels like this are, as they act as stepping stones towards conversations about inequality and injustice. However, I found that The End of Eddy was incredibly detached - it’s practically based on the author’s life, but there was no emotion in it. Some parts of the novel hit you like a ton of bricks, because not only was the subject uncomfortable, but it was told in a very stark, cold manner - it felt like being slapped. I mean, maybe that was the point? Maybe it’s supposed to shock, because the events described (the horrendous bullying, the continuous homophobia, what was essentially rape/paedophilia) are shocking, and they are a problem that needs to be addressed. If that’s the point, then fair enough, message noted - but it just didn’t sit well with me. It’s a miserable, unhappy book, and can only be read in small doses. Not for me, I’m afraid.
Post-book group review
So, it turns out I was the only one who didn’t enjoy the novel, but having come away from listening to everyone’s interpretations, I do feel a bit differently. I still stick by my first impression, which is that it’s cold and shocking, and the lack of enjoyment I got from it made me struggle to want to read it. However, during the discussion, other members brought up the fact that at the beginning, the author states that his life was not all bad, but that the terrible bits seemed to dominate the good - and being reminded of that somehow made me like the novel more? At no point does the author set you up for a happy story or a happy ending - he’s very honest, and thinking back, I do believe that the book delivers what it intends to deliver.
Discussing the novel, I also realised that maybe part of my disinterest in the story is because I absolutely cannot relate to it. The protagonist is a white male homosexual who grew up in a small and very poor village in France; I am a black female, who although identifies as pansexual, is in a heterosexual relationship, and has always lived in cities in the UK. My reality is far different from the reality of the author - I couldn’t connect with the story because it is hard for me to understand. And I think that’s valid. I am grateful at having been directed towards this book, however, and after hearing what everyone else thought, I think I’m going to give his second novel a try - maybe with more of an open mind.
emminkirjakasa's review against another edition
3.0
Harmittaa antaa vain 3 tähteä, mutta 4 tuntuu liian paljolta. 3.5?
Kiinnostava ja karu tarina. Osa kohdista oli todella vakuuttavia ja tykkäsin toodella paljon, osa taas lässähti ja menetin hetkeksi innon koko kirjaan. Pienellä karsimisella/yhteen asiaan keskittymisellä olisi ollut 5 tähden kirja.
Kiinnostava ja karu tarina. Osa kohdista oli todella vakuuttavia ja tykkäsin toodella paljon, osa taas lässähti ja menetin hetkeksi innon koko kirjaan. Pienellä karsimisella/yhteen asiaan keskittymisellä olisi ollut 5 tähden kirja.
blueforblues's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Bullying, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, and Incest
Moderate: Gaslighting, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Islamophobia, and Alcoholism
anetq's review against another edition
4.0
I heard the artist live today, which only reinforced the strengths of the cultural and social analysis of class and shame that is the core of this book. And while he was talking about [b:Forvandlingens metode|63909588|Forvandlingens metode|Édouard Louis|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1669997327l/63909588._SX50_.jpg|92733825] AKA [b:Changer: méthode|58866741|Changer méthode|Édouard Louis|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1630047576l/58866741._SX50_.jpg|92733825] his points about 'sociological divorce', was from the childhood described in 'Eddy'. There was also some very interesting points about the freedom to choose and not be judged: If you are from the lower classes and 'make it' you are not allowed melancholy (you're just complaining) and authenticity being deemed 'the things you do not choose for yourself' - the things you copy from your background, family & culture... Whereas the things you choose for yourself: other types of culture, music, people, ways of behaving is deemed to be imitation and inauthentic - when it is not, what you copied from your parents, but chose for yourself...
thesoftestcowboy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Sexual violence, Violence, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, and Physical abuse
maudemarco's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
3.5
Un témoignage frappant et arrache-cœur. Ça faisait longtemps qu'Édouard Louis figurait sur ma liste. Je pense que le 3,5 reflète peut-être des attentes très hautes. Le chapitre dans le hangar est d'une force inouïe. Mes mains tremblaient en le lisant. Je ne peux même pas concevoir la violence des émotions.
ingejanse's review against another edition
5.0
Als dit boek ging over, zeg, een heteroseksuele jongen die stiekem atheïst is in een christelijk dorp, dan had ik gezegd: stop met jezelf zo potsierlijk aanstellen, klootmongool, stop met die pathetische bijzinnen en pseudo-observaties en maak er gewoon wat van, chop chop.
Maar dit is anders. Zeer anders. Althans, dat vermoed ik, want als zo'n heteroseksuele jongen die later atheïst/agnost werd is de beschreven wereld van Eddy Bellegueule mij totaal onbekend.
Nouja, dat ook weer niet, want ik was die jongen die homo's op de middelbare school maar raar en vreemd vond, die daar grappen over moest maken, die zijn eigen onzekerheid daarmee kwijt wilde schelden, die zijn eigen masculiniteit (if any) daarmee wilde vergroten, die zijn plek in de pikorde zo wilde verhogen (want het leven is één grote zero sum game, nietwaar? wat een denkfout. afijn). Ik was de reden dat anderen zich minder goed voelden, simpelweg omdat ik niet wist hoe ik moest uiten dat ik me minder goed voelde.
(en voor de goede lezer: ja, ik ben in essentie het duo dat Eddy eerst vrolijk structureel kleineerde en later bejubelde)
En misschien ook wel daarom dat ik Weg met Eddy Bellegueule zo'n goed boek vind. Ik denk niet dat ik ooit eerder zo emotioneel en zo fysiek ervoer wat het is om op te groeien als homo in een omgeving die daar absoluut niet van gediend is - en soms ook juist weer wel, zo leert de even bizarre als aangrijpende scene waarin Eddy eindelijk, ein-de-lijk werk kan maken van zijn homo-zijn, om er vervolgens achter te komen dat dit de problemen nog oneindig meer vergroot.
Maar ook de schetsen van zijn familie en het dorp zijn werkelijk waar prachtig. De vader, dat enorme brok ambivalentie, die even woedende als liefhebbende man, totaal niet in staat om daar uiting aan te geven, en daarom grossierend in woede. Dat huis, dat vervloekte huis, dat ten onder gaat aan armoede, tijd, verval en stof. De moeder, zichzelf overschreeuwend. Dat dorp, zoals elk dorp een verschrikkelijke plek, tenzij je 100% overeenkomt met al zijn mores en codes. En die school. Amai, amai.
Nogmaals: er is ook veel aan te merken op dit boek. De ontwikkeling van het verhaal is vaag, met gekke tussenstukken waarin we zijn familie beter leren kennen, maar die alles enorm vertragen. De afronding is tamelijk abrupt ('tadaa, opgelost, hoera!', zoiets). Het gebruik van enorme cursieve blokken om te citeren is hinderlijk. De barokke zinnen zijn jeugdig-pretentieus, en ik vermoed dat Edouard Louis er in een ander leven met enige zelfspot op zal terugkijken ('ach, wat was ik nog jong, wat wilde ik veel, en wat had ik daar veel woorden voor nodig').
Maar dat is gebroddel in de marge van een boek dat elke puber - en dan vooral de hetero's - zou moeten lezen om een stuk eerder dan ik te begrijpen dat opgroeien als homo in een heteroseksuele wereld bijzonder vaak onplezierig/traumatiserend/pijnlijk/helemaal ruk is, en dat dat een stuk leefbaarder te maken valt door er simpelweg begrip en acceptatie voor te hebben.
Maar dit is anders. Zeer anders. Althans, dat vermoed ik, want als zo'n heteroseksuele jongen die later atheïst/agnost werd is de beschreven wereld van Eddy Bellegueule mij totaal onbekend.
Nouja, dat ook weer niet, want ik was die jongen die homo's op de middelbare school maar raar en vreemd vond, die daar grappen over moest maken, die zijn eigen onzekerheid daarmee kwijt wilde schelden, die zijn eigen masculiniteit (if any) daarmee wilde vergroten, die zijn plek in de pikorde zo wilde verhogen (want het leven is één grote zero sum game, nietwaar? wat een denkfout. afijn). Ik was de reden dat anderen zich minder goed voelden, simpelweg omdat ik niet wist hoe ik moest uiten dat ik me minder goed voelde.
(en voor de goede lezer: ja, ik ben in essentie het duo dat Eddy eerst vrolijk structureel kleineerde en later bejubelde)
En misschien ook wel daarom dat ik Weg met Eddy Bellegueule zo'n goed boek vind. Ik denk niet dat ik ooit eerder zo emotioneel en zo fysiek ervoer wat het is om op te groeien als homo in een omgeving die daar absoluut niet van gediend is - en soms ook juist weer wel, zo leert de even bizarre als aangrijpende scene waarin Eddy eindelijk, ein-de-lijk werk kan maken van zijn homo-zijn, om er vervolgens achter te komen dat dit de problemen nog oneindig meer vergroot.
Maar ook de schetsen van zijn familie en het dorp zijn werkelijk waar prachtig. De vader, dat enorme brok ambivalentie, die even woedende als liefhebbende man, totaal niet in staat om daar uiting aan te geven, en daarom grossierend in woede. Dat huis, dat vervloekte huis, dat ten onder gaat aan armoede, tijd, verval en stof. De moeder, zichzelf overschreeuwend. Dat dorp, zoals elk dorp een verschrikkelijke plek, tenzij je 100% overeenkomt met al zijn mores en codes. En die school. Amai, amai.
Nogmaals: er is ook veel aan te merken op dit boek. De ontwikkeling van het verhaal is vaag, met gekke tussenstukken waarin we zijn familie beter leren kennen, maar die alles enorm vertragen. De afronding is tamelijk abrupt ('tadaa, opgelost, hoera!', zoiets). Het gebruik van enorme cursieve blokken om te citeren is hinderlijk. De barokke zinnen zijn jeugdig-pretentieus, en ik vermoed dat Edouard Louis er in een ander leven met enige zelfspot op zal terugkijken ('ach, wat was ik nog jong, wat wilde ik veel, en wat had ik daar veel woorden voor nodig').
Maar dat is gebroddel in de marge van een boek dat elke puber - en dan vooral de hetero's - zou moeten lezen om een stuk eerder dan ik te begrijpen dat opgroeien als homo in een heteroseksuele wereld bijzonder vaak onplezierig/traumatiserend/pijnlijk/helemaal ruk is, en dat dat een stuk leefbaarder te maken valt door er simpelweg begrip en acceptatie voor te hebben.
toni1509's review
5.0
I am Eddy Bellegueule. Maybe you are Eddy too. But there are sure so many Eddies out there.
I had a tough Friday, and my mood swings were getting just worse throughout the day. Picked this book in the early morning and started reading. Didn't know what to expect, but had a picture in my head.
First, my thoughts were divided. I felt disgusted at some parts, I didn't feel anything towards Eddy, I just couldn't because of my state of mind. Then I had to look up on the internet if this fully is an autobiographical novel.
I still don't know which parts are from real-life experiences, but I'm afraid that there are many of them, and that hit me in the head like a hammer. This hurts. And I mean literally.
Can life really be cruel like this to someone? Well, no doubt about it.
When I continued reading later this afternoon, I started feeling better (probably because I drank too much coffee and took a pill to calm my anxiety down). I started to realize that this isn't a novel that's meant to be about someone who we can completely understand because Louis (probably) didn't understand himself at the point of his life at the time of the events that took place.
What we have here is a recollection of memories of childhood and early adolescence. Sure not everything can be taken for granted.
But the message has been sent. And it's an important difficult, painful and heartwrenching story about a young man speaking openly about homophobia.
My mind still begs the same questions:
Is it always the society we should blame?
Is it our family?
Is it our fathers and their lack of understanding and not knowing how to show love?
Is it our mothers who are overprotective?
Honestly, I don't know. But I know one thing for sure: I should start being more thankful for my amazing parents and the whole family I have. Sometimes it's so hard because the pain you feel reflects on others around you, and I want my pain for myself. Others don't have to feel it for me.
I had a tough Friday, and my mood swings were getting just worse throughout the day. Picked this book in the early morning and started reading. Didn't know what to expect, but had a picture in my head.
First, my thoughts were divided. I felt disgusted at some parts, I didn't feel anything towards Eddy, I just couldn't because of my state of mind. Then I had to look up on the internet if this fully is an autobiographical novel.
I still don't know which parts are from real-life experiences, but I'm afraid that there are many of them, and that hit me in the head like a hammer. This hurts. And I mean literally.
Can life really be cruel like this to someone? Well, no doubt about it.
When I continued reading later this afternoon, I started feeling better (probably because I drank too much coffee and took a pill to calm my anxiety down). I started to realize that this isn't a novel that's meant to be about someone who we can completely understand because Louis (probably) didn't understand himself at the point of his life at the time of the events that took place.
What we have here is a recollection of memories of childhood and early adolescence. Sure not everything can be taken for granted.
But the message has been sent. And it's an important difficult, painful and heartwrenching story about a young man speaking openly about homophobia.
My mind still begs the same questions:
Is it always the society we should blame?
Is it our family?
Is it our fathers and their lack of understanding and not knowing how to show love?
Is it our mothers who are overprotective?
Honestly, I don't know. But I know one thing for sure: I should start being more thankful for my amazing parents and the whole family I have. Sometimes it's so hard because the pain you feel reflects on others around you, and I want my pain for myself. Others don't have to feel it for me.
camila87's review against another edition
2.0
"...de entrada a uno no se le ocurre espontáneamente huir porque no sabe que existen otros sitios. No sabe que la huida es una posibilidad. Al principio intenta ser como los demás, y yo intenté ser como todo el mundo."