emm__'s review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
4.0
copusb's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-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? Yes
3.5
blueskygreentreesyellowsun's review against another edition
2.0
I read 210 pages, which is more than half of the novel itself (not the added journal), so I'm calling this read. I really liked the format, with the different changes, but not very much happens. I've read plenty of slice-of-life books, ones that don't have a plot so to speak but talk about people, and some of them have impacted me deeply; this isn't one of them. Glad I gave it a shot, but it's time to move on.
foggy_rosamund's review against another edition
3.0
A novel about writing a novel called The Counterfeiters, this is a picaresque, discursive novel centering on a group of boys who are in their final year of school, and various authors who encourage them. At the heart of the story is Edouard, who is trying to write a book called The Counterfeiters, and is in love with his young half-nephew, Olivier. Perhaps the other major character is Bernard, who discovers he was born following his mother having an adulterous affair, and runs away from home. There are many other important characters, including school teachers, judges, psychiatrists and even the occasional woman (!). There is also the narrator, who observes everything and knows everything, and is not the same person as Edouard. This is a very complex story, full of metatextual references, as well as plot twists and new characters. It hangs together because Gide is such an exceptional prose stylist, and he finds beauty and clarity in the most convoluted of plots. His themes include despair and degradation, but this is ultimately an optimistic book, although it has a somewhat mawkish final twist. The positive treatment of gay characters is refreshing for a novel from 1924.
ev4ngelia's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
3.5
beautyistruth's review against another edition
4.0
This is subtle metafiction since one of the main characters is a writer and the nature of Gide's The Counterfeiters is intellectual, bohemian, philosophical and of its time - for example, Freudian techniques used on a boy are exposited upon and discussed. It follows various people of a social milieu, from schoolboys to new school-leavers, to their parents and relatives, to an old schoolmaster, and is about their relationships and connections: in that sense, it was soap-like. It is also very homoerotic - never directly stated but some of the male main characters are almost certainly gay.
It wasn't the easiest of books to follow but it was good in an interesting way. The denouement (cannot spoil), however, I did not like much because it felt a bit obvious and heavy-handed to me and it rang hollow, so that was a shame.
Edit: I suppose the counterfeit coins used in the novel that the title references, represent the hollow and somewhat flashy or surface nature and currency of many of these relationships people have with each other. I will say that I did find the novel a bit depressing but almost scientifically honest that way because it kind of mirrors what I see and experience about people. I'm sure that says more about me though. Again, I think this is an interesting and philosophical novel - it wove subtly complex webs across my mind.
It wasn't the easiest of books to follow but it was good in an interesting way. The denouement (cannot spoil), however, I did not like much because it felt a bit obvious and heavy-handed to me and it rang hollow, so that was a shame.
Edit: I suppose the counterfeit coins used in the novel that the title references, represent the hollow and somewhat flashy or surface nature and currency of many of these relationships people have with each other. I will say that I did find the novel a bit depressing but almost scientifically honest that way because it kind of mirrors what I see and experience about people. I'm sure that says more about me though. Again, I think this is an interesting and philosophical novel - it wove subtly complex webs across my mind.
luxile's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.0
Un livre aux réflexions intéressantes, avec des personnages que j'ai trouvé bien construits mais dont l'intrigue (d'ailleurs quelle est-elle ?) m'a finalement laissé sur ma faim.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Suicide attempt
bread_pity's review against another edition
3.0
The author presents us with a wonderful approach towards storytelling, which I have come to appreciate greatly. However, some of the characters tend to go on delusional rants, and while I understand it is part of the aesthetic and literary choice, I found them unpleasant to read. Great book overall!
mateusjobim's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
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
2.0