Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Le Chardonneret by Donna Tartt

197 reviews

ktrobbins's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-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

2.5

This is a tough book to rate. I really liked the beginning, and the end was pretty good too. I could empathize with Theo for the most part, but he became pretty unlikeable, and it made it tough for me to care about him most of the time. The same is true of a lot of the other characters in the book. I feel like there were quite a lot of unnecessary details that made it drag on for so long. I honestly felt relieved when I finished this (I said, "finally")-- yikes!

Maybe listening to it as an audiobook at almost 2x speed made it worse for me, or maybe I'm not enough of an ~intellectual~, idk. It's a decent book but I don't think I would ever re-read it; 3 stars.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol

shaleen64's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

At nearly 900 pages it’s a book that requires dedication and is not for the casual reader. The story itself could have been told in half the number of pages, however, the value of this book comes from is detailed descriptions of the characters, their lives and what has shaped them into the people they are. 

There are several unexpected moments that will leave you shocked, saddened and hopeful. Even with its length I always found myself engaged and keen to read on, but can see how for others it would be too slow paced and a drag to continue. However, the book is beautifully written and is real food for thought (especially the final few pages). 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, and Abandonment

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, and Vomit

blanxx_2102's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Blood, Vomit, and Grief

Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Suicidal thoughts

alyssaakdefusco's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

What a winding journey. At no point was I bored by the story, but this book did not have to be so long. That's my main issue with it. Beyond that, it was heartbreaking and intriguing. I absolutely loved Theo's relationship with art and how to mirrored his world and life experiences. The characters were unforgettable. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent

Moderate: Alcoholism, Cursing, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

tsubibo's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use and Grief

sunflower7skull's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Beautifully written and it reads like a classic, but I can't say I enjoyed the plot. Gorgeous and heart-wrenching descriptions of grief are the brightest point, which is sort of saying something. Definitely check the trigger warnings on this book, because the depictions of suicide and drug abuse are very graphic.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Child death, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Vomit, Car accident, and Abandonment

Minor: Animal cruelty

Very graphic depictions of drug abuse, grief, suicide, and addiction! Watch out if that could bother you.

diana1's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Vomit, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol

paradicsomleves's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol

Moderate: Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Suicide attempt, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Blood

theprinceofdenmark's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

the best book about grief and loss since catcher in the rye.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

kellyz's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

A profoundly emotional story but tough to get through at times. I don't fault needing to put it down and come back later because Tartt's writing draws you back in instantly when you do return, and you always will. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Classism