windermerepages's review against another edition
4.0
Este libro me ha resultado extrañamente acogedor. Deseando leer más de la autora.
hein's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
readstamara's review against another edition
4.0
“Nunca te falei no futuro. Perdoa-me, Chéri: amei-te como se devêssemos, um e outro, morrer na hora seguinte.”
msjoanna's review against another edition
5.0
I've been on a Collette binge these last few weeks. I started with [b:Barks and Purrs|9921138|Barks and Purrs|Colette|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1348110465s/9921138.jpg|1223363], and enjoyed it so much that I immediately checked out a copy of Chéri, read through it in a few days, and have immediately started [b:The Last of Cheri|837474|The Last of Cheri|Colette|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1325621192s/837474.jpg|823065]. Barks and Purrs impressed me with the perfect read on dogs and cats and the way their owners imagine their inner thoughts. Cheri manages to capture, with pitch perfect accuracy, the emotions of a doomed-by-society relationship. While today, readers will not be particularly shocked by the notion of a 49-year-old woman dating a 25-year-old man, it is clear in the text that such a relationship is completely outside the bounds of upper-class French society at the time. But the emotions of doomed lovers are universalizable.
I've heard Cheri described as the consummate feminist novel, and I can see why. It explores female sexuality in a more realistic and vulnerable manner than many other novels. It's frankly hard to believe that this book was published nearly 100 years ago. That said, this book appealed to me on a direct emotional level, and not because of its politics. So glad I stumbled onto Collette's books. Highly recommended.
I've heard Cheri described as the consummate feminist novel, and I can see why. It explores female sexuality in a more realistic and vulnerable manner than many other novels. It's frankly hard to believe that this book was published nearly 100 years ago. That said, this book appealed to me on a direct emotional level, and not because of its politics. So glad I stumbled onto Collette's books. Highly recommended.
anothetbennet's review against another edition
1.0
Not what I was expecting!
Chéri is such full of himself...couldn't get attached to these characters. Still going to watch the movie. I hope it's better since the trailer was the reason I wanted to read this.
Chéri is such full of himself...couldn't get attached to these characters. Still going to watch the movie. I hope it's better since the trailer was the reason I wanted to read this.
d_iris's review against another edition
3.0
I like Colette; she's a brilliant and vibrant writer. She can write a story that hits every sweet spot in your soul-- spots you didn't even know you had let alone understood until she presents it to you. But I didn't like Cheri--not the book or the story, because, again; she has a crazy talent for story telling, but the character. I hated Cheri. Talk about your perpetual little boy. He is a character who will never grow up; he thinks the world revolves around him and that that gives him the right to belittle everyone around him, bemoan his lot in life (Which is actually very blessed) and never learn or grow from the situations that he has lived through.
Lea is a better character, and you feel her hurt and disappointment more profoundly simply because of her age. In her almost fifty years of life this is the first time she's ever truly been in love and it's a troubled romance. Some women have no luck.
Colette's classic tale is reverent but it only garners three stars because Cheri drags down the plight with his frivolous and inconsiderate ways.
Lea is a better character, and you feel her hurt and disappointment more profoundly simply because of her age. In her almost fifty years of life this is the first time she's ever truly been in love and it's a troubled romance. Some women have no luck.
Colette's classic tale is reverent but it only garners three stars because Cheri drags down the plight with his frivolous and inconsiderate ways.
ohsmilla's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
2.5
mollyringle's review against another edition
4.0
After the heftier or at least longer books I've been reading, this one flew by and was as easy to get through as nibbling your way through a chocolate-filled croissant. So elegant, so French, so subtle, yet full of life! One of those stories of a past era that brings the time alive for me, with all its scents and fashions and quirky people. Although I'll probably never live with servants and dress in silk gowns (though if I'm lucky I'll spend at least a few days and nights in Paris someday), I did fully believe and feel the emotions and motives of the characters, because those were human and realistic and therefore timeless. Colette is a capturer of the human condition just as skillful (and as French) as Proust, but far, far easier to read. Will gladly read more of hers!
meadows2020's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
Interesting look into French society. I loved Lea for her practicalness. She was beautiful and charming. I honestly can see why Cheri was so enamored. I loved how much seemed to happen in the 122 pages but I’m wanting more. What happens after that last instance with Cheri and Lea. I wonder what happened if they saw each other again. I’m so upset with Cheri for being so obsessed and in love with Lea and then being like nah I’m not into you anymore because of your age.
Interesting look into French society. I loved Lea for her practicalness. She was beautiful and charming. I honestly can see why Cheri was so enamored. I loved how much seemed to happen in the 122 pages but I’m wanting more. What happens after that last instance with Cheri and Lea. I wonder what happened if they saw each other again. I’m so upset with Cheri for being so obsessed and in love with Lea and then being like nah I’m not into you anymore because of your age.