elenavarg's review against another edition
3.0
Colette truly was as good a writer as they say! I liked both short stories a lot, but sadly the Vintage edition I was reading spoiled BOTH stories in it’s description...goddamn. Can’t wait to read more of Colette’s works!
ebreeze's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tillybeller's review
funny
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
I read this quite quickly, skimming through it more than anything because I read it online, but it's something I'd like to go back to and read again because I think it's something I'd enjoy more when I pay it more attention
joraud's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
miasiobhan's review
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
skimmed the cat :(( it's fine but not for me
sshabein's review
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
It wasn't love, but I liked these two stories. The characters are all very compelling. I'm interested in (finally) reading more Colette.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal cruelty and Adult/minor relationship
dangersquirrel's review
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I only read Gigi, not The Cat, but couldn't find it on here solo. I get that it is a satire, but as the cultural context has faded away with time, what is left is pretty hard to swallow. The writing itself is fine, but the story of a 15 year old being groomed for a relationship she does not want with a man who she calls "uncle" as a pet name? That's so rough. It's supposedly humorous, but I can't see it as anything but tragic, how when she bravely said "no" the soft power of societal patriarchy turned it into a yes anyway. I cannot imagine how this could have turned into a compelling movie musical, but I guess I'll give it a try.
katiecatbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Short stories. France. Women.
Story: 15 year old Gigi is brought up by her grandmother to do her hair right and act with decorum. Not allowed to have friends her own age, she lives through visitors of her family and what she reads in the gossip columns.
Language: Both tales are told in third person and are set in France.
Characters: Though Gigi is a young adult, she behaves as more of a child - flighty and whimsical and naive.
I enjoyed this short book. Gigi was the shorter of the two and read like a short story one might find in a magazine. The Cat was the star of the book, well told and drawn out and the author clearly knows her cats. Recommended to cat fans.
Story: 15 year old Gigi is brought up by her grandmother to do her hair right and act with decorum. Not allowed to have friends her own age, she lives through visitors of her family and what she reads in the gossip columns.
Language: Both tales are told in third person and are set in France.
Characters: Though Gigi is a young adult, she behaves as more of a child - flighty and whimsical and naive.
I enjoyed this short book. Gigi was the shorter of the two and read like a short story one might find in a magazine. The Cat was the star of the book, well told and drawn out and the author clearly knows her cats. Recommended to cat fans.