bibliobethreads's review against another edition
challenging
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
northerly_heart_reads's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ctrlaultdelete's review against another edition
3.0
So glad Brandon Taylor led me to this book; I think it’s sort of like watching Casablanca where you realize where some of the timeworn cliches come from, but enjoy the ride so much, with such singular characters (Bachelard, Marie Pichon, Adele, Berthe, Caroline Hédouin….) that they defy the familiarity of the tropes!
juliettebn's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
reynier's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
blueyorkie's review against another edition
4.0
Ah, Zola!!! What a pleasure each time renewed when we open one of his works. Here is no exception. We are following a Mouret this time, Octave, more precisely. Having left his campaign, he landed in Paris, intending to conquer it. It quickly takes its marks, but the ascent is not doing fast enough. His solution: to seduce, always, and a lot. But it will not be smooth. But what we like about his intelligent, lively, prickly feather. Zola is once again attacking the Haute and is not tender. His characters too, which he knows very well, presented and developed - a real treat.
manolitagafotas's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jgwc54e5's review against another edition
5.0
Octave Mouret arrives in Paris and moves into a new building in Paris. This book felt a natural follow on from [b:Nana|448908|Nana|Émile Zola|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1628108329l/448908._SY75_.jpg|89633]. In this novel it’s the bourgeoisie and their hypocrisies being exposed. The concierge constantly overlooks the obvious scandalous behaviours of the well off ‘what did not concern him did not concern him’ while attacking the working class boarders (the poor boot stitchers story is tragic) and the servants. It’s shocking, yet entertaining with almost no likeable characters and as the story finishes it comes full circle “Then Octave had the strange feeling that it was all beginning anew. His two years in the Rue de Choiseul were like a blank. There sat his wife, smiling at him, yet no change had come into his life; today was the same as yesterday, with neither pause nor stop.”
The church doesn’t escape “For a moment Father Mauduit stood alone in the middle of the empty drawing-room. Through the wide-open door he watched the throng of guests and, as though vanquished, smiled as once more he threw the cloak of religion over this corrupt bourgeois society, as if he were some master of ceremonies, veiling the canker in an attempt to delay the final moment of decomposition.”
Octave’s story continues in [b:The Ladies' Paradise|20252337|The Ladies' Paradise|Émile Zola|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1430645926l/20252337._SY75_.jpg|1540214]
The church doesn’t escape “For a moment Father Mauduit stood alone in the middle of the empty drawing-room. Through the wide-open door he watched the throng of guests and, as though vanquished, smiled as once more he threw the cloak of religion over this corrupt bourgeois society, as if he were some master of ceremonies, veiling the canker in an attempt to delay the final moment of decomposition.”
Octave’s story continues in [b:The Ladies' Paradise|20252337|The Ladies' Paradise|Émile Zola|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1430645926l/20252337._SY75_.jpg|1540214]
cloudytm's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lourher's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5