Reviews

The Red and the Black by Stendhal

gurwan's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous inspiring 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

4.0

ameyzeigler's review

Go to review page

REad in my French lit class. What to say...it's French lit. I'll see if I can find my fav. French book

nadiajrss's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.5

Less totally ridiculous than Charterhouse although I do love a severed head 

rmalsberg's review

Go to review page

5.0

Outstanding novel with action, romance, and extensive musings on philosophy, the nature of identity, love, class structure, economic development, religion and politics in 19th century France. Many insights and moments of humor. Can't believe I waited this long to read it. Highly recommend.

jul_ja's review

Go to review page

slow-paced

3.5

gabspacho's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional 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? It's complicated

3.75

cnmrl's review against another edition

Go to review page

slow-paced

3.25

raven_the_clover_moth's review

Go to review page

slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

cvenac's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No

4.25

c_reading's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Review en Français - en Español - in English
Ce livre raconte le cheminement d’un ambitieux fils de charpentier, Julien, vers les hauts échelons de la société de Paris.

Pour moi, l’intérêt du livre est de voir s’il y parvient et comment. Malgré que j’ai trouvé ses amours trop tragiques, le personnage a des traits pathétiques qui le rendent plus humain et aident a sympathiser avec lui.

Sinon le roman est intéressant à analyser d’un point de vu littéraire. Il combine de façon intéressante des éléments du genre picaresque et romantique au parcours de Julien. L’auteur fait des réflexions sur le genre du roman à travers la métaphore de la route, de miroirs et des personnages qui décident consciemment d’incarner des rôles dans leur propre vie.

Esta es la historia del camino de un ambicioso hijo de carpintero, Julien, hacia la cima de la sociedad de Paris.

Me encontré queriendo si lograba sus propósitos el personaje y de que manera. A pesar de que sus amores fueron demasiado trágicos a mi gusto, el personaje es caracterizado de un rasgo patético que lo vuelve mas humano y ayuda a simpatizar con el.

Sino la novela es interesante desde el punto de vista literario. Combina elementos del picaresco y romanticismo al trayecto de Julien. El autor hace reflexiones sobre el género de la novela a través de la metáfora del camino, del espejo y de los personajes que deciden conscientemente adoptar roles en su propia vida.

The story is about the path of an ambitious carpenter’s son, Julien, towards the top of Paris’ society.

I found myself wanting to root for the character to make it into the world and see if he succeeded and how, but at the same time found his loves too tragic, although the character himself has pathetic traits that make him human and easier to sympathize with.

Otherwise the book is fun to analyze from a literary perspective. It combines elements of picaresque and romanticism to the trajectory of Julien. The author makes reflexions about the novel using the metaphor of the road, mirrors, and characters that decide they will play a different part in their idea of their life.