dakotahreads's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Death, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Homophobia, and Suicide
jakemitton's review against another edition
4.0
I’m a little bit unsure about how I feel about this book. I enjoyed the story between Philippe and Thomas but I found it written in a fairy specific and somewhat unusual style. I don’t know how much of this is the translators choice versus the authors writing. The autofictional nature of this book also has me a little confused. I’ve never read autofiction before and I didn’t realize that this what is this going into it. I feel like my opinion on this book will solidify over the next few weeks but I think 4 stars is a safe bet since I know I didn’t dislike it but I’m not sure if I loved it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Suicide, and Abandonment
augustst's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Suicide
Moderate: Sexual content and Homophobia
Minor: Alcohol
lou_loo's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Suicide
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Bullying
risemini's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Sexual content, Homophobia, Suicide, Bullying, and Death
oceanebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I really didn't expect to almost cry just by reading these 140 pages...
This book definitely reached all my expectations. It was stunning, and gripping and so, so sad and almost tragic in a way. The language wasn't poetic, it was short and "plain", no metaphors, no excessive talking about feelings or details about this and that. And that was fine, like I honestly didn't think I'd like it as much as I did in that aspect. It was different from what I usually love - poetic words that come together and form a stream, a river of emotions and thoughts and actions and all those things in between. But in this case, it really suited the story. I do wish the author had expanded the love story a bit more and show how Thomas also really falls in love with Philippe (because at least to me he really is). I'm also not entirely sure how much of reality and real experiences played into the writing into this book, as I heard and read some things. Looking at the ending I hope it's not too many...
Though the language was, as I said, plain, there were some really beautiful passages and sentences.
examples: "All of a sudden I see a sort of admiration return to his face, but it's painful admiration; what he likes about me is also what keeps me seperate from him."
"I just wanted to write to tell you that I have been happy during these months together, that I have never been so happy, and that I already know I will never be so happy again."
In my opinion the message of the book goes beyond "first love", one really gets to see the struggles many homosexual and queer people in general have when it comes not only to finding but also accepting and being accepted in their identety. And how it can differ from person to person.
Also, I didn't expect that ending, like I really did not. And when I reached the last sentence, Philippe Besson had done a marvellous job: I'd just gone through a rollercoaster of emotions, was on the verge of tears and my heart was broken into tiny little pieces. If you want a story with a happy ending, go read another book, not this one. But who knew I'd enjoy getting crushed over and over again as much as I did? 100% recommend.
This book definitely reached all my expectations. It was stunning, and gripping and so, so sad and almost tragic in a way. The language wasn't poetic, it was short and "plain", no metaphors, no excessive talking about feelings or details about this and that. And that was fine, like I honestly didn't think I'd like it as much as I did in that aspect. It was different from what I usually love - poetic words that come together and form a stream, a river of emotions and thoughts and actions and all those things in between. But in this case, it really suited the story. I do wish the author had expanded the love story a bit more and show how Thomas also really falls in love with Philippe (because at least to me he really is). I'm also not entirely sure how much of reality and real experiences played into the writing into this book, as I heard and read some things. Looking at the ending I hope it's not too many...
Though the language was, as I said, plain, there were some really beautiful passages and sentences.
"I just wanted to write to tell you that I have been happy during these months together, that I have never been so happy, and that I already know I will never be so happy again."
In my opinion the message of the book goes beyond "first love", one really gets to see the struggles many homosexual and queer people in general have when it comes not only to finding but also accepting and being accepted in their identety. And how it can differ from person to person.
Also, I didn't expect that ending, like I really did not. And when I reached the last sentence, Philippe Besson had done a marvellous job: I'd just gone through a rollercoaster of emotions, was on the verge of tears and my heart was broken into tiny little pieces. If you want a story with a happy ending, go read another book, not this one. But who knew I'd enjoy getting crushed over and over again as much as I did? 100% recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Suicide, and Death of parent
q_bert13's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
a memoir of the author's high school years that tell the story of a young 80's romance. Its an absolutely wonderful read and a tear jerker at times. This is the first book I've read by Philippe Besson, but it won't be the last
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Homophobia, Death, Death of parent, Classism, and Bullying
Minor: Suicide and Abandonment
morebedsidebooks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
3.5
I’ve always loved to do that, to invent the lives of strangers in passing. It could almost be considered an obsession. I believe it started when I was a child. I remember its worrying my mother. “Stop with your lies!” she would say. She used the word “lies” instead of “stories,” but nevertheless, it continued, and all these years later, I still find myself doing it.
Lie With Me is an English translation of French writer Phillipe Besson’s Arrête avec tes mensonges translated by Molly Ringwald. (Yes, that Molly Ringwald from the Breakfast Club or, to this generation playing Archie’s mom on the TV series Riverdale.) Somewhat autobiographical, the novel contains the over twenty years later mature reflections of a verbose writer on first love as a teen in 1984 rural France. A bestseller, it has been nominated and won awards in the last few years. More attention coming with translations, a hype train behind it with comparisons to several contemporary American gay works going back to Brokeback Mountain. (That title as part of a collection by Annie Prolux was a Pulitzer Prize nominee and if you lived through the Brokeback Mountain movie mania, I suppose that would give an idea of the discussion around this book.) Can it live up to such expectations? Having read it in two languages it remains a beautiful, if melancholic book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Grief, Suicide, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcohol, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Chronic illness, Death, Car accident, Vomit, and Ableism
discogecko's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Abandonment, and Death of parent
marleywrites's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Heartbreaking. Beautiful. Reminded me of my own life in a way. This was such a gorgeous novel. I’m so glad I read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Suicide
Moderate: Death of parent and Sexual content