lucymccarthy's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
hannahcg's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
noelys's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
marinafaedda's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
federicafrazza's review against another edition
3.0
Chéri: odioso
Léa: meh
La storia: una sorpresa e una delusione assieme; è una storia d'amore ma soprattutto di possessione quasi malsana.
Léa: meh
La storia: una sorpresa e una delusione assieme; è una storia d'amore ma soprattutto di possessione quasi malsana.
shellfish's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
spinnerlynne's review against another edition
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
foggy_rosamund's review against another edition
3.0
Set in the 1910s, this novella describes the end of a relationship between Léa, a 50 year old unmarried woman, and her 25 year old male lover, Chéri. When Chéri decides to marry a young, wealthy woman, he and Léa separate. They both see this as a natural split, and do not expect to grieve -- but in fact, they both struggle and miss each other intensely. The novella is characterised by the sense and sophistication of Léa, coupled with Chéri's childishness and snappishness. Léa treats Chéri like a spoiled child -- which he loves, but at the same time, he wants to grow up. The subject matter of the book feels trite at times, but Colette is very skilled at expressing emotion in dialogue and description. The last thirty pages of this book are gripping and vivid, and make up for some missteps earlier in the novella. However, it feels like a slight work and I think Chéri and Léa simply aren't interesting enough to sustain a narrative.
I will always remember this book as containing a description of the worst cup of coffee ever (though the author thinks it's tasty), "Chéri condescended to praise with an oath his cup of 'housemaid's coffee', made with creamy milk, well sugared, slowly reheated, with buttered toast crumbled into it and browned till it formed a succulent crust."
Toast?? Why would you do that to the poor coffee??
I will always remember this book as containing a description of the worst cup of coffee ever (though the author thinks it's tasty), "Chéri condescended to praise with an oath his cup of 'housemaid's coffee', made with creamy milk, well sugared, slowly reheated, with buttered toast crumbled into it and browned till it formed a succulent crust."
Toast?? Why would you do that to the poor coffee??