okenwillow's review against another edition
5.0
Fred Vargas est archéologue de métier, spécialisée dans le Moyen-âge. Ce qui explique peut-être une certaine rigueur dans le récit, une précision, un soucis du détail qui nous plongent d’emblée dans son histoire. C’est le premier roman que je lis d’elle, et certainement pas le dernier. Dès les premières pages j’ai accroché au style sec, clair et concis, aux dialogues tout aussi précis, plein d’humour et parfois surréalistes. Les personnages sont vite attachants, l’histoire se met en place habilement, peu à peu, et le dénouement nous réserve quelques surprises. Excellent donc, une découverte qui donne envie de lire ses autres livres.
richardhannay's review against another edition
3.0
Esta es la mejor novela que he leido hasta ahora de Fred Vargas. Tiene un inicio intrigante, un personaje, el del "pregonero" Joss muy atractivo y un desarrollo magnífico. La "peste Negar" es una cuestión que, siete siglos después de su primera aparición en Europa sigue generando, y con buena razón, una suerte de terror atávico. El otro acierto de la Vargas es hacer renacer a los añorados "Evangelistas". Lástima que no aprovechara para establecer una colaboración habitual aunque me da la impresión de que Vandoosler habría dejado rápidamente sin trabajo al sufrido Danglard. Por eso es una pena que el final sea tan embrollado y tan inelegante. Como esos futbolistas que comienzan a caracolear al borde del área sin decidirse a chutar a puerta Adamsberg o Vargas acumulan las explicaciones de explicaciones y dejan demasiados cabos sueltos. El principal el de un experto en la peste con formación cinetífica superior que no es capaz de identificar los síntomas de la peste ni conoce sus periodos de incubación o modo de matar.
delilah_ws's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
naimfrewat's review against another edition
3.0
A disappointment, so far.
The opening was decent. I enjoyed the writing, the description of objects in their relation to our everyday interaction with them. It was funny and smart. I thought the book was going to proceed in this vein. Then there came the setting of one of the characters and his backstory, and I also enjoyed reading that.
From then on, the book didn't pick up. I suppose it also has to do with what I'm expecting of it. That's the problem with genre books; one formulates assumptions and wants to see them realized.
I thought there was a pleasant shrouding of the mystery that got me asking where is the crime? I also liked that words, ancient words relayed to a random audience were part of that mystery.
When the actual resolution of the cases started and when the detective-hero was introduced, the writer lost me. I wasn't attracted, I couldn't understand his character, I wondered if some of the traits were supposed to be funny or repulsive - I mean, when dressing up portraits in crime series, it seems to me that stripped-down descriptions are not really welcome, particularly, when there's an element of humor or of rosy story telling going on.
I was missing some technical flavoring, a bit of ambience maybe, some minor reasoning as opposed to intuition.
I'll finish the book in a bit; I'm reading because Vargas came to me highly recommended and so maybe, something might pick up towards the end (not something, I particularly enjoy, but it may increase the rating form 2 to 3)
The opening was decent. I enjoyed the writing, the description of objects in their relation to our everyday interaction with them. It was funny and smart. I thought the book was going to proceed in this vein. Then there came the setting of one of the characters and his backstory, and I also enjoyed reading that.
From then on, the book didn't pick up. I suppose it also has to do with what I'm expecting of it. That's the problem with genre books; one formulates assumptions and wants to see them realized.
I thought there was a pleasant shrouding of the mystery that got me asking where is the crime? I also liked that words, ancient words relayed to a random audience were part of that mystery.
When the actual resolution of the cases started and when the detective-hero was introduced, the writer lost me. I wasn't attracted, I couldn't understand his character, I wondered if some of the traits were supposed to be funny or repulsive - I mean, when dressing up portraits in crime series, it seems to me that stripped-down descriptions are not really welcome, particularly, when there's an element of humor or of rosy story telling going on.
I was missing some technical flavoring, a bit of ambience maybe, some minor reasoning as opposed to intuition.
I'll finish the book in a bit; I'm reading because Vargas came to me highly recommended and so maybe, something might pick up towards the end (not something, I particularly enjoy, but it may increase the rating form 2 to 3)
anatta's review against another edition
4.0
Это один из тех детективов, в которых собственно загадка и её решение становятся фоном для людских портретов. А так как мне стала очень симпатична вся эта пестрая чудаковатая братия с площади Кине и из комиссариата, то от меня ей полновесная четверка. (упс, а ведь четверка играет большую роль в сюжете)
lumbermouth's review against another edition
5.0
All the Adamsberg books are pretty delightful, but this one is REALLY delightful. Plague outbreak! OR IS IT? Also, detailed discussion of God's mood when he built Adamsberg (it is well known God hadn't had a good night's sleep).
I think I've exhausted all the translated Adamsbergs now, which is sad, but this was a pretty good note to go out on.
I think I've exhausted all the translated Adamsbergs now, which is sad, but this was a pretty good note to go out on.
jeyjeyyy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
J’ai beaucoup aimé ce livre ! Pourtant pas très habituée aux polars, j’ai tout de suite été prise dans l’histoire et j’ai beaucoup aimé le mélange entre le côté enquête et le côté personnage/sentiments du livre. Ce petit groupe de quartier m’a énormément touchée, au point où j’ai presque pleuré à la fin, et c’est l’une des raisons pour laquelle j’ai vraiment apprécié cette histoire. Et bien sûr, comme d’habitude, j’ai adoré toutes les références historiques et la recherche derrière ce mystère policier, qui apportent une nouvelle dimension à l’enquête.
_oblivia's review against another edition
5.0
chi dice superstizione dice credulità [...]
chi dice credulità dice manipolazione,
e chi dice manipolazione dice calamità.
E' la piaga dell'umanità,
ha fatto più morti lei
di tutte le epidemie di peste messe assieme.
chi dice credulità dice manipolazione,
e chi dice manipolazione dice calamità.
E' la piaga dell'umanità,
ha fatto più morti lei
di tutte le epidemie di peste messe assieme.
stavolta la vargas è stata scorretta, non una storia normale con adamsberg protagonista, ma un incrocio (seppur di sfuggita) con gli evangelisti ù.ù
astuta +.+
sophielegarrec's review against another edition
4.0
La thématique du livre m'a tout de suite captivée et le moins qu'on puisse dire, c'est que le personnage du Commissaire Adamsberg est intriguant ... Je me suis mise, un peu trop sans doute, dans les chaussures (les bottes) de Camille. Le polar est bien ficelé et joliment écrit ; c'était mon premier Fred Vargas, j'en suis très contente !
coralang's review against another edition
4.0
J'ai bien aimé l'intrigue. La vision historique, les divers personnages plus que troublants.