Reviews

The Book of Proper Names by Amélie Nothomb

freddie's review

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3.0

The story is kinda whimsical in a grotesque way. The story carries an absurdist tone with how it handles murder, eating disorder, obsession etc. I later learned that the story turns out to be a fictionalized biography of a French singer. I admire the writing style.

readacorn's review against another edition

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5.0

Name ist Schicksal. Davon ist Lucette überzeugt, als sie ein Kind erwartet. Diesem Kind soll ein aufregendes Leben vergönnt sein, deshalb entscheidet Lucette sich für die totale Extravaganz, für einen Namen, den sie in einem Lexikon des 19 Jahrhunderts gefunden hat: sie nennt ihr Kind Plectrude.

Dieses Buch hat mich überrascht, zum Lachen gebracht, unterhalten, in Spannung versetzt, verzaubert, berührt, gefesselt, erstaunt und meinen Wortschatz erweitert und das auf 147 Seiten. 
Highlight. 

inesuniverse's review against another edition

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2.0

Le style et l'écriture ne sont pas déplaisants, mais l'histoire est mal approchée, et j'ai trouvé la fin ridicule. Mais bon.

guadagar's review against another edition

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funny inspiring lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

marta_l's review against another edition

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medium-paced

3.75

itsgiuliabtw's review against another edition

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3.0

2.75
la seconda parte mi ha lasciato alquanto perplessa

kristenmtan's review against another edition

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3.0

3.5/5
read for french class !
read a whole ass novel in french???? and understood what was going on most of the time???? no way
end was very weird but i quite liked most of the book!
je pense que je liserais un autre nothomb quelque jour! ou au moins un autre roman français

polpofemo's review against another edition

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2.0

(...)
4.5/10

mary's review against another edition

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dark

3.0

Interesting thoughts about a mother-daughter relationship and an eating disorder. I truly enjoyed the first two thirds, but the end felt empty, written without a clear idea and did not satisfy me.
I really like Amélie Nothombs writting style and ideas. She has great and unusual ideas, but this is my least favorite book of hers, that i read so far. 
(I read the book in French.)

aleckssss's review against another edition

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3.0

Jsp