melodywithbass's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
gracecashxx's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-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
3.5
sarah_dietrich's review against another edition
3.0
That was a very long 700 pages. Great and infuriating at the same time. Lots of characters not being able to see the wood for the trees, making for frustrating reading.
kiminh's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-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
4.5
Encapsulates the wartime and post war anxieties of the French intellectual scene, and de Beauvoir is both subtle yet incisive in applying the female perspective to this encapsulation, even with many sections occuring from the viewpoint of male characters. Some obvious stand-ins here for real life people in de Beauvoir's life, as from the get-go this is loosely inspired by her experiences in these circles, which makes it all the more fascinating in hor current and evergreen a lot of their dynamics and dilemmas feel..
carmen_fdez99's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
booksinmydrawer's review against another edition
informative
reflective
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
4.0
laurayasmin's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
dianaj23's review against another edition
4.0
"They don't write books like this anymore" was the first thing I thought after finishing this book. What an astounding, lengthy view of the post-war intellectual society in France. How different were those times.
The Mandarins is not an easy book to digest. Even with its apt portrayal of women, even with its well-conjured, believable men, it might still shock people today to think there was a time when everyone thought communism was the answer or that affairs were as benevolently looked upon as marriages. But it does offer us some memorable characters and their struggles to change the world for what they believe is better, while dealing with their own insecurities and temptations, while realising there's only so much people with good intentions can do.
It will stay with me for a long while.
The Mandarins is not an easy book to digest. Even with its apt portrayal of women, even with its well-conjured, believable men, it might still shock people today to think there was a time when everyone thought communism was the answer or that affairs were as benevolently looked upon as marriages. But it does offer us some memorable characters and their struggles to change the world for what they believe is better, while dealing with their own insecurities and temptations, while realising there's only so much people with good intentions can do.
It will stay with me for a long while.