Reviews

Someone I Loved by Catherine Evans, Anna Gavalda

patchworkbunny's review against another edition

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4.0

Chloé’s husband has left her and their children for another woman. She is angry and confused but her father-in-law (or would that be ex father-in-law?), Pierre, comes to the rescue and whisks her away from it all. They have never been close, Pierre generally quiet in her presence but as they talk and argue, she learns so much more about him, and how sometimes you can’t help who you loved.

Someone I Loved is a novella composed mostly of conversations, starting with a car journey and little snippets of everyday life that Gavalda does so well. Soon Chloé’s betrayal is revealed and her awkward relationship with Pierre grows into a confidant. The speech is unattributed, no he said, she said, and the prose is sparse, all adding to the conversational tone. At one point, there is speech within speech and it all got a bit confusing, but it is an intimate little look into someone’s life through what they decide to tell another.

patti_pinguin's review against another edition

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emotional sad slow-paced

4.0

ebokhyllami's review against another edition

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5.0

Nydelig! Selv etter (og kanskje fordi) boka er oversatt fra fransk til nynorsk!

mowjitaba's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

cambrt's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

eltigre's review against another edition

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3.0

Místy prostě moc sentimentální, ale určitě to doporučuju čtenářům, co chtějí začíst číst ve francouzštině - hned po Malém princi a Perraultových pohádkách sáhněte po Gavaldě!

shakila's review against another edition

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5.0

Oddly enough, I can relate with every single character! This was the first Anna Gavalda book I read but I’m officially in love and gonna read much more.

kecskestimi's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

celflo's review against another edition

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1.0

* lu en français * read in french *

lauramotta's review against another edition

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3.0

Sparse, exceptionally elegant, dialogue-driven novel about a woman who, along with her two young children, is abandoned by her husband.

Not always easy to swallow (or follow, thanks to some quirks in the translation from the original French), this novel takes a close look at the motives behind, and the devastating fallout caused by adultery. This book is not for everyone, and arrives at some uncomfortable conclusions about relationships and love. If you're looking for an intimate little novel that teases through difficult ideas, though, I think you'd like this.