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nabila99's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.5
my first experience with de Beauvoir was reading the second sex for gender theory class at university. if only i knew she was so talented a fiction writer as well!
this book is absolutely heart-wrenching, so much so that i had to start reading another book in the middle of it, even though i was really enjoying it, because it is so heavy....i've read novels with much darker and sadder subject material, but the way de Beauvoir writes about pain, loss of identity, desperation, resentment, hope, and despair is so visceral i cried multiple times, especially in the last eponymous short story. she captures women's suffering like no other.
i only took off a half star because the writing style in the second short story, the monologue, is so difficult to follow (even though it's genius and i admire the technique and contrast in narrative voices), and some of the side characters could have been more fleshed out.
cannot wait to read more of de Beauvoir's work!
this book is absolutely heart-wrenching, so much so that i had to start reading another book in the middle of it, even though i was really enjoying it, because it is so heavy....i've read novels with much darker and sadder subject material, but the way de Beauvoir writes about pain, loss of identity, desperation, resentment, hope, and despair is so visceral i cried multiple times, especially in the last eponymous short story. she captures women's suffering like no other.
i only took off a half star because the writing style in the second short story, the monologue, is so difficult to follow (even though it's genius and i admire the technique and contrast in narrative voices), and some of the side characters could have been more fleshed out.
cannot wait to read more of de Beauvoir's work!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Stalking, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Moderate: Eating disorder, Suicide, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
Minor: Homophobia, Racism, Sexual content, Blood, Abortion, and Lesbophobia
bill369's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
tense
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
4.5
People on the internet were recommending this book.
I don't really have a favourite character. However, I do believe the characters are incredibly well made and I did feel for them
Three stories about older women. Women who were abandoned, cheated on or betrayed. The work captures so much anger these women feel and puts these struggles, which for women come with age, into the spotlight. Discussing these themes is essential and I'm glad I saw a new point of view.
Page 34, what is youth.
„Mládí je to, co Italové nazývají stamina. Míza, oheň, který umožňuje milovat a tvořit. Když tohle ztratíš, ztratila jsi všechno.“
Page 43–44, you are so young!
„Jste tak mladá!“ dodala. To slyším často a lichotí mi to. Ale najednou mě to slovo popudilo. Je to dvojsmyslná poklona, která ohlašuje trapné zítřky. Zachovat si vitalitu, veselost, duchapřítomnost, to znamená zůstat mladý. Tak tedy údělem stáří je rutina, zatrpklost, zchátralost. Nejsem mladá — jsem dobře zachovalá; to je velký rozdíl. Zachovalá a možná vyřízená.
Page 97, good quote.
Pila s velice jemnými zoubky se mi zařezává do srdce.
Page 118, the rock bottom.
Pokaždé si myslím, že už jsem na dně. A pak se propadnu do ještě hlubších pochyb a zoufalství.
Page 154, joy.
Veselost: vzduch je průzračný, čas plyne, lehce se dýchá: nic jiného jsem nežádala.
I liked the end of every story.
I adore how this book is filled with rage. It's perfect. It strikes where it should and I did like it a lot.
I don't really have a favourite character. However, I do believe the characters are incredibly well made and I did feel for them
Three stories about older women. Women who were abandoned, cheated on or betrayed. The work captures so much anger these women feel and puts these struggles, which for women come with age, into the spotlight. Discussing these themes is essential and I'm glad I saw a new point of view.
Page 34, what is youth.
Page 43–44, you are so young!
Page 97, good quote.
Pila s velice jemnými zoubky se mi zařezává do srdce.
Page 118, the rock bottom.
Page 154, joy.
Veselost: vzduch je průzračný, čas plyne, lehce se dýchá: nic jiného jsem nežádala.
I liked the end of every story.
I adore how this book is filled with rage. It's perfect. It strikes where it should and I did like it a lot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Abandonment
Moderate: Child death and Stalking
Minor: Child abuse and Pregnancy
chantal18's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Stalking, Gaslighting, and Abandonment