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ameliasbooks's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
After Louis had already described growing up in a poor and uneducated family in previous books, I was initially skeptical about what new things there could be to tell about. But this seemed to be an honest look back not only at what happened, but also at his own behavior. How he managed to escape his class, at what cost and how he feels about having somehow betrayed his origins.
At first I was very enthusiastic about the book, about the self-critical view, but as the book progressed, I stumbled more and more over things that left me feeling a bit uncomfortable.
When he recounted some of the events, I began to doubt whether he was really as self-reflective as he seemed to be. I don't want to be misunderstood here, I would never say that if you criticize people from higher classes and their lives, you can only do so, if you stay in your class and simply quietly accept your own suffering. I can also understand that such a transition cannot take place in the form of someone mutating into a kind of saint. And I also found it understandable that parts of his behavior could be explained by his upbringing and also who has ever heard about that rich people do not exploit others? Don't most of them already do that through their lifestyle, which they live at the expense of others in society?
As far as the writing style is concerned, I sometimes had problems with the fact that the author decided to switch between the first, third and second person, and especially with the latter it was not always immediatley clear, who he was addressing in that moment (the mother, the father, Elena...).
But the biggest problem for me was the obsession with his own appearance. Here too, of course, it is Louis' right to do whatever he wants with his body, but when you write about things such as an eating disorder, I would like to see a reflection on that in a book like this, as well as on the ideals of beauty to which he feels committed to for whatever reasons (perhaps especially in becoming a part of high society?).
I still liked all the insights on class and the elitist society structure in France, because although I have already read so many French books in which this is a theme (on purpose or not), I am constantly appalled by how little these structures differ from aristocracy, which officially doesn't exist anymore.
This is an interesting book and the writing is apart from my little quibbles still strong (the middle part lost steam a bit though), which I would recommend, but maybe not as the first book by this author to read.
At first I was very enthusiastic about the book, about the self-critical view, but as the book progressed, I stumbled more and more over things that left me feeling a bit uncomfortable.
When he recounted some of the events, I began to doubt whether he was really as self-reflective as he seemed to be. I don't want to be misunderstood here, I would never say that if you criticize people from higher classes and their lives, you can only do so, if you stay in your class and simply quietly accept your own suffering. I can also understand that such a transition cannot take place in the form of someone mutating into a kind of saint. And I also found it understandable that parts of his behavior could be explained by his upbringing and also who has ever heard about that rich people do not exploit others? Don't most of them already do that through their lifestyle, which they live at the expense of others in society?
As far as the writing style is concerned, I sometimes had problems with the fact that the author decided to switch between the first, third and second person, and especially with the latter it was not always immediatley clear, who he was addressing in that moment (the mother, the father, Elena...).
But the biggest problem for me was the obsession with his own appearance. Here too, of course, it is Louis' right to do whatever he wants with his body, but when you write about things such as an eating disorder, I would like to see a reflection on that in a book like this, as well as on the ideals of beauty to which he feels committed to for whatever reasons (perhaps especially in becoming a part of high society?).
I still liked all the insights on class and the elitist society structure in France, because although I have already read so many French books in which this is a theme (on purpose or not), I am constantly appalled by how little these structures differ from aristocracy, which officially doesn't exist anymore.
This is an interesting book and the writing is apart from my little quibbles still strong (the middle part lost steam a bit though), which I would recommend, but maybe not as the first book by this author to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Classism
Moderate: Bullying, Drug use, Eating disorder, and Alcohol
Minor: Racism and Xenophobia
After Louis had already described growing up in a poor and uneducated family in previous books, I was initially skeptical about what new things there could be to tell about. But this is an honest look back not only on at what happened, but it is also a critical look at his own behavior. How he managed to escape his class, at what cost and how he feels about having somehow betrayed his origins. At first I was very enthusiastic about the book, about the self-critical view, but as the book progressed, I stumbled more and more over things that made me feeling a bit uncomfortable. While he recounted some of the events that were particularly formative to him, I began to doubt whether he was really as self-reflective as he seemed to be. I don't want to be misunderstood, I would never say that if you criticize people from higher classes and their lives, you can only do so honestly, if you stay in your class and simply quietly accept your own suffering. I can also understand that such a transition cannot take place in the form of someone mutating into a kind of saint in comparison. And I also found it understandable that parts of his behavior could be explained by his origins and on addition to that, who has ever heard about that rich people do not exploit others? Don't most of them already do that through their lifestyle, which they live at the expense of others in society? As far as the writing style is concerned, I sometimes had problems with the fact that the author decided to switch between the first, third and second person, and especially with the latter it was not always clear immediatley who he was addressing atm (the mother, the father, Elena...?). But the biggest problem for me was the obsession with his own appearance. Here too, of course, it is Louis' right to do whatever he wants with his body, but when I write about things such as an obvious eating disorder, I would also expect to see a reflection on that especially in a text like this one. As well as a refelction on the ideals of beauty to which he feels committed to for whatever reasons (perhaps especially in high society?). I found the lack of that not only disapponting, but also falling into the existing prejudices some heterosexuals have about the superficiality of gay men.vilmawrfoguheil's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is a very good book! The sequel to The end of Eddy were you folow Eduard through life as an almost adult. Once again facing probloms with his inner strugels, bad habits and wanting to escape the curent place he is in. This books explores how a good mindset does not always look the same and are not alwasy acually good. A never ending vicious circle… It was this book that made me a Eduard Louis fan! My favorit book of his!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, and Classism
suzyq's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
squishmallow161's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Homophobia, Violence, and Xenophobia
susannedeheer's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
tense
slow-paced
4.0
Het verschil tussen gemiddelde memoires (die de laatste tijd enorm populair zijn) en de boeken van Édouard Louis is dat het een structuur en poezie bevat die vaak mijlenver weg blijft van een gemiddelde memoir. Als de reden van hun geschreven memoir al hun prioriteit in het leven innam (een sportcarrière, fout of trauma of avontuur) ze geen levensbehoefte zagen in het schrijven van hun verhaal. Maar bij Louis is dat anders. Hij is een schrijver, punt. In dit boek begon ik hier haast over te twijfelen over de eerlijkheid waarmee hij schrijft over het fabriceren van een droom om te schrijven, hij zag het als een manier om los te komen van zijn arme bestaan. “Voor mijn gevoel sta ik ver af van de schrijvers die vertellen dat ze de literatuur hebben ontdekt doordat ze van woorden houden en zich aangesproken voelen door een poëtische kijk op de wereld. Op hen lijk ik niet. Ik schrijf om te bestaan.”
“Het benauwde me omdat ik wist dat het nooit zou lukken, mijn hele waarneming van de werkelijkheid, al mijn zintuigen, heel mijn lijf, alles was een voorwaarde om te kunnen schrijven. “
Maarja, uiteindelijk wint de passie het klaarblijkelijk want toch schrijft hij telkens weer pareltjes zonder ooit de persoonlijke toon te verliezen.
“ nu moest ik een boek schrijven, dat wist ik zeker, daarmee zou ik mezelf definitief redden. Het moet lukken, het moet lukken, maar hoe ik mezelf ook aanmoedigde, er veranderde niets, er kwam geen woord. Ik ging naar cafés, maakte aantekeningen in een notitieboekje, ik probeerde opzetjes te maken voor boeken, maar alles wat ik schreef ontmoedigde me nog meer, en als ik opzetjes van de vorige dag herlas, voelde ik me vies en door mezelf in mijn hemd gezet, alles wat ik schreef leek op mislukt plagiaat van schrijvers van wie ik hield, ik schrapte alles en kon niet verder. “
Een van de prachtigste eindes van een boek. Hoe herinneringen werken en dat terugvoeren in tekst, hoe hij uiteindelijk terugkomt in het nietige heden en tegelijkertijd alles wat we over hem hebben geleerd in ons achterhoofd houden.
“Het benauwde me omdat ik wist dat het nooit zou lukken, mijn hele waarneming van de werkelijkheid, al mijn zintuigen, heel mijn lijf, alles was een voorwaarde om te kunnen schrijven. “
Maarja, uiteindelijk wint de passie het klaarblijkelijk want toch schrijft hij telkens weer pareltjes zonder ooit de persoonlijke toon te verliezen.
“ nu moest ik een boek schrijven, dat wist ik zeker, daarmee zou ik mezelf definitief redden. Het moet lukken, het moet lukken, maar hoe ik mezelf ook aanmoedigde, er veranderde niets, er kwam geen woord. Ik ging naar cafés, maakte aantekeningen in een notitieboekje, ik probeerde opzetjes te maken voor boeken, maar alles wat ik schreef ontmoedigde me nog meer, en als ik opzetjes van de vorige dag herlas, voelde ik me vies en door mezelf in mijn hemd gezet, alles wat ik schreef leek op mislukt plagiaat van schrijvers van wie ik hield, ik schrapte alles en kon niet verder. “
Een van de prachtigste eindes van een boek. Hoe herinneringen werken en dat terugvoeren in tekst, hoe hij uiteindelijk terugkomt in het nietige heden en tegelijkertijd alles wat we over hem hebben geleerd in ons achterhoofd houden.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Homophobia
thewoodlandbookshelf's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Racism, Sexual content, Outing, Alcohol, and Classism
inpalemoonlight's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Édouard Louis erzählt von seiner Entwicklung, getrieben von der stetigen Bemühung, sich zu verändern. Brutal ehrlich, direkt und engeschönt.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Classism
Moderate: Racism and Violence
momentsonpages's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Der Vergangenheit entkommen
“𝘐𝘤𝘩 𝘧𝘶̈𝘩𝘭𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘴𝘦𝘩𝘳 𝘸𝘦𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘦𝘨 𝘷𝘰𝘯 𝘚𝘤𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘯, 𝘥𝘪𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘯, 𝘥𝘢𝘴𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘦 𝘶̈𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘪𝘦 𝘓𝘪𝘦𝘣𝘦 𝘻𝘶𝘳 𝘚𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦 (…) 𝘻𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳 𝘨𝘦𝘬𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘥. 𝘐𝘤𝘩 𝘣𝘪𝘯 𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘦. 𝘐𝘤𝘩 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘣, 𝘶𝘮 𝘻𝘶 𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯.” (𝟤𝟧𝟫)
Genauso wie dieses Zitat fühlt sich Édouard Louis Roman während des Lesens an: verzweifelt, erbarmungslos, echt, ungeschönt. Louis schreibt über seine Vergangenheit in der nordfranzösischen Provinz, von Armut, Homophobie und Chancenlosigkeit.
Und so wird seine Mission das Rache nehmen. Rache nehmen an den ungerechten Zuständen seines Lebens. Er flieht aus seinem Heimatdorf aufs Gymnasium, dann nach Paris, entdeckt seine Sexualität und damit die High Society Paris - das komplette Gegenteil seines bisherigen Lebens. Vor allem Wissen, durch Lesen, Kunst und Bildung, sind Anker für Louis Lebenswandel. Er entkommt durch die Welt der Literatur.
Der Roman ist zwar autobiografisch, wird von Louis aber auch als Aussprache mit seinem Vater gesehen. Die Sprache im Roman ist nüchtern und sachlich und spiegelt für mich perfekt den eisernen Willen wider, den Traum vom neuen und gewandelten Selbst umzusetzen. Louis Roman hat mich berührt, in den Bann gezogen und zum Nachdenken gebracht. Über die Bedeutung von Familie, Freundschaft, Gesellschaft und der eigenen Vergangenheit.
“𝘐𝘤𝘩 𝘧𝘶̈𝘩𝘭𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘴𝘦𝘩𝘳 𝘸𝘦𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘦𝘨 𝘷𝘰𝘯 𝘚𝘤𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘯, 𝘥𝘪𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘯, 𝘥𝘢𝘴𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘦 𝘶̈𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘪𝘦 𝘓𝘪𝘦𝘣𝘦 𝘻𝘶𝘳 𝘚𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦 (…) 𝘻𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳 𝘨𝘦𝘬𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘥. 𝘐𝘤𝘩 𝘣𝘪𝘯 𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘦. 𝘐𝘤𝘩 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘣, 𝘶𝘮 𝘻𝘶 𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯.” (𝟤𝟧𝟫)
Genauso wie dieses Zitat fühlt sich Édouard Louis Roman während des Lesens an: verzweifelt, erbarmungslos, echt, ungeschönt. Louis schreibt über seine Vergangenheit in der nordfranzösischen Provinz, von Armut, Homophobie und Chancenlosigkeit.
Und so wird seine Mission das Rache nehmen. Rache nehmen an den ungerechten Zuständen seines Lebens. Er flieht aus seinem Heimatdorf aufs Gymnasium, dann nach Paris, entdeckt seine Sexualität und damit die High Society Paris - das komplette Gegenteil seines bisherigen Lebens. Vor allem Wissen, durch Lesen, Kunst und Bildung, sind Anker für Louis Lebenswandel. Er entkommt durch die Welt der Literatur.
Der Roman ist zwar autobiografisch, wird von Louis aber auch als Aussprache mit seinem Vater gesehen. Die Sprache im Roman ist nüchtern und sachlich und spiegelt für mich perfekt den eisernen Willen wider, den Traum vom neuen und gewandelten Selbst umzusetzen. Louis Roman hat mich berührt, in den Bann gezogen und zum Nachdenken gebracht. Über die Bedeutung von Familie, Freundschaft, Gesellschaft und der eigenen Vergangenheit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia