zaisgraph's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Highly quotable, intelligent, quick and insightful The Reunion by Guillaume Musso is a credible and satisfying thriller that will surely satisfy genre fans. This is in many ways a reverse whodunit wherein the supposed guilty party backtracks, spurred by an impending event that may expose his past deeds.
I read the translated version because I'm not fluent in French. I can't help but feel that plenty of things were lost along the way such as the romance and the intricacies. I always feel this way when I read translated books, like I'm missing out on the art by about 20%. The story, while quite twisty and very intimate left me a bit cold. I usually savor novels of this nature that leave me with a warm feeling after finishing. This wasn't one of them. Maybe this is by the author's design, but that brought down my enjoyment a notch. Also, I wished that there was more to the character in the first chapter. She seemed more interesting than the majority of the ones with significant roles.
Read the hardback while listening to the audiobook. The audiobook had a cast of four and I think the narration was a little bit subdued but enjoyable nonetheless. I recommend this novel and may read more of Mr. Musso down the road.
I read the translated version because I'm not fluent in French. I can't help but feel that plenty of things were lost along the way such as the romance and the intricacies. I always feel this way when I read translated books, like I'm missing out on the art by about 20%. The story, while quite twisty and very intimate left me a bit cold. I usually savor novels of this nature that leave me with a warm feeling after finishing. This wasn't one of them. Maybe this is by the author's design, but that brought down my enjoyment a notch. Also, I wished that there was more to the character in the first chapter. She seemed more interesting than the majority of the ones with significant roles.
Read the hardback while listening to the audiobook. The audiobook had a cast of four and I think the narration was a little bit subdued but enjoyable nonetheless. I recommend this novel and may read more of Mr. Musso down the road.
stachmou77's review against another edition
4.0
Ok.
The story was entertaining and the descriptions made me feel like I knew the landscape and the cities. Although the main character annoyed me most of the time, because he came as self-centered and thick, I liked his development.
The end seemed a little bit rushed. I don't know how to explain it, but near the end for the big reveal, the pace went faster, so I didn't really have time to enjoy it.
The story was entertaining and the descriptions made me feel like I knew the landscape and the cities. Although the main character annoyed me most of the time, because he came as self-centered and thick, I liked his development.
The end seemed a little bit rushed. I don't know how to explain it, but near the end for the big reveal, the pace went faster, so I didn't really have time to enjoy it.
bookswmoony's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
girlwiththepinkskimask's review against another edition
2.0
Book outlet read #1. 2.5 rounded down.
Writing: 3.5/5 | Plot: nah bruv/5 | Endning: super nah/5
THE PLOT
Vinca ran away with her philosophy teacher. Or that's what they want you to think. Three friends are reunited 25 yrs later for a school reunion, where secrets are exposed, and lives are changed forever.
MY OPINION
Ok so I thought my new 20% rule before I DNF would help me avoid giving books 1/2 stars... but Guillaume Musso said "challenge accepted!" What started off as a scrumptious read quickly turned into a plot hole carnival. It was almost too fake for fiction.
I picked this up because I'm a huge wh0re for anything French. Maybe because I have a moniseur with the ski mask in my life. There's a lot of realism injected into this book, so if you're not familiar with French politics/culture/vibes in general, this may be painfully boring to you. I also enjoyed the tour de Cote d'Azur as Thomas ran around town tryna get to the bottom of things.
In the last 30% the book took a SHARP left into crazy land and I wanted to chuck this book into the recycling bin #happyearthday. Anyways. There were simply too many players in this story and not enough logic. I can't get into it because #spoilers, but you will be left cringing as you pinball between contrived explanations.
I'm giving this 2 stars because I enjoyed the writing and being teleported to the beautiful south of France. But the plot and ending were POUBELLE (trashola).
PROS AND CONS
Pros: takes place in France
Cons: everything else like this had potential and the author said, hold my beer and just went buck wild
Book outlet reads
#2 - One Step Behind
#3 - The Scholar
#4 - Possession
Writing: 3.5/5 | Plot: nah bruv/5 | Endning: super nah/5
THE PLOT
Vinca ran away with her philosophy teacher. Or that's what they want you to think. Three friends are reunited 25 yrs later for a school reunion, where secrets are exposed, and lives are changed forever.
MY OPINION
Ok so I thought my new 20% rule before I DNF would help me avoid giving books 1/2 stars... but Guillaume Musso said "challenge accepted!" What started off as a scrumptious read quickly turned into a plot hole carnival. It was almost too fake for fiction.
I picked this up because I'm a huge wh0re for anything French. Maybe because I have a moniseur with the ski mask in my life. There's a lot of realism injected into this book, so if you're not familiar with French politics/culture/vibes in general, this may be painfully boring to you. I also enjoyed the tour de Cote d'Azur as Thomas ran around town tryna get to the bottom of things.
In the last 30% the book took a SHARP left into crazy land and I wanted to chuck this book into the recycling bin #happyearthday. Anyways. There were simply too many players in this story and not enough logic. I can't get into it because #spoilers, but you will be left cringing as you pinball between contrived explanations.
I'm giving this 2 stars because I enjoyed the writing and being teleported to the beautiful south of France. But the plot and ending were POUBELLE (trashola).
PROS AND CONS
Pros: takes place in France
Cons: everything else like this had potential and the author said, hold my beer and just went buck wild
Book outlet reads
#2 - One Step Behind
#3 - The Scholar
#4 - Possession
franciska9's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
belles_bookishlife's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fast paced murder mystery that just kept coming up with more twists. While the first 100 pages were a bit slow, setting up the scene, the last 2/3 were quick and shocking.
I’d definitely recommend this to anyone who likes a good mystery, I’m excited to try some more works from this author in the future
I’d definitely recommend this to anyone who likes a good mystery, I’m excited to try some more works from this author in the future
noveldeelights's review against another edition
4.0
School reunions. Personally, I’ve never attended one because I’ve never quite understood the appeal of them. But Thomas has little choice in the matter. During the reunion, the school is set to announce plans for a new gymnasium and Thomas, Maxime and Fanny, who haven’t seen each other in 25 years, know they must go back to school one more time. Because there is a body in the walls, and they put it there.
How is that for a premise? I couldn’t have been more intrigued if I tried. It’s also an interesting way to start a story because it seems as if you’re getting all the information in one go so what could possibly be left to discover? Ha! Quite a bloody lot, let me tell you!
Everything harks back to the winter of 1992 when nineteen year old Vinca Rockwell disappeared. Rumour had it she ran off with her philosophy teacher but neither one of them was ever heard from again. Despite moving all the way to New York from the Côte d’Azur, Thomas has never been able to forget Vinca. She was his first true love after all and thoughts of her still haunt him. But did he ever really know her?
Does anyone even know anyone in this story?! There are not just secrets buried behind the gymnasium’s walls. In fact, they are everywhere and they come at you thick and fast. I think this is one of the most unpredictable plots I’ve read in a long time. There are some delicious twists and turns, none of which I saw coming and there’s a lovely kind of Noir vibe throughout.
The Côte d’Azur provides the perfect backdrop too. Beautiful surroundings that ooze atmosphere and really off-set the dark events that play out throughout the story. The Reunion is an engaging and well-paced story about unrequited love, obsession, jealousy and family. I must admit I’d never heard of Guillaume Musso but it’s easy to see why he is so popular in France. Hopefully more of his books will be translated to English so a bigger audience can acquaint themselves with his work but for now, if you’re looking for a page-turner, The Reunion will not let you down.
How is that for a premise? I couldn’t have been more intrigued if I tried. It’s also an interesting way to start a story because it seems as if you’re getting all the information in one go so what could possibly be left to discover? Ha! Quite a bloody lot, let me tell you!
Everything harks back to the winter of 1992 when nineteen year old Vinca Rockwell disappeared. Rumour had it she ran off with her philosophy teacher but neither one of them was ever heard from again. Despite moving all the way to New York from the Côte d’Azur, Thomas has never been able to forget Vinca. She was his first true love after all and thoughts of her still haunt him. But did he ever really know her?
Does anyone even know anyone in this story?! There are not just secrets buried behind the gymnasium’s walls. In fact, they are everywhere and they come at you thick and fast. I think this is one of the most unpredictable plots I’ve read in a long time. There are some delicious twists and turns, none of which I saw coming and there’s a lovely kind of Noir vibe throughout.
The Côte d’Azur provides the perfect backdrop too. Beautiful surroundings that ooze atmosphere and really off-set the dark events that play out throughout the story. The Reunion is an engaging and well-paced story about unrequited love, obsession, jealousy and family. I must admit I’d never heard of Guillaume Musso but it’s easy to see why he is so popular in France. Hopefully more of his books will be translated to English so a bigger audience can acquaint themselves with his work but for now, if you’re looking for a page-turner, The Reunion will not let you down.
jennaorava's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
tanja_dubugnon's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
pharmdad2007's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty interesting thriller with plenty of twists and turns. Some European oddities and eccentricities, but very readable and enjoyable overall.