prog51's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Death
schellenbergk's review
The brutality of nature is the theme of this poetically written novella.
cbalaschak's review
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
"Tomorrow, the hill will win." Unexpectedly environmental focus - wildfire, drought, and a place of self reliance.
jwmcoaching's review
4.0
A strange little fable about the effects of environmental encroachment by humans and the ways in which nature can fight back. Giono wrote this nearly a century ago and his view of humanity was grimly prescient. This novella is deceptively simple; even though it's only a scosch over 100 pages, there's a lot going on here.
blanche_l's review against another edition
3.0
Je suis assez mitigée. J'ai bien aimé le style, sans pour autant être transportée. L'histoire m'a touchée, mais je ne suis pas sûre qu'elle continue de m'habiter. Il m'a été très difficile de m'attacher aux personnages, mais je ne suis pas sûre que ce soit le but recherché par Giono.
Cependant, pour tout ce qui concerne la relation de l'homme à la nature, et à ce qui le dépasse et lui est supérieur, ce livre est un bijou. L'évocation de la nature est chargée de sensualité, tout est traité avec une attention exacerbée.
Lecture mitigée mais plutôt positive malgré tout.
Cependant, pour tout ce qui concerne la relation de l'homme à la nature, et à ce qui le dépasse et lui est supérieur, ce livre est un bijou. L'évocation de la nature est chargée de sensualité, tout est traité avec une attention exacerbée.
Lecture mitigée mais plutôt positive malgré tout.
grauspitz's review
3.0
3.5?
While I absolutely loved the descriptions of the countryside and the general sense of the plot, in a way I found the story stilted in execution. Perhaps it reads better in French or perhaps I just need to give it another go at some point.
While I absolutely loved the descriptions of the countryside and the general sense of the plot, in a way I found the story stilted in execution. Perhaps it reads better in French or perhaps I just need to give it another go at some point.
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review
4.0
April 2016 NYRB selection.
Giono's book is a rather interesting environmental fable that stays with you. The characters aren't so much characters as society. It's rather strange, moving, and powerful.
Giono's book is a rather interesting environmental fable that stays with you. The characters aren't so much characters as society. It's rather strange, moving, and powerful.