saralynnburnett's review against another edition
5.0
Balzac was one of the realist french writers and in each of his books - you can literally smell the candle burning and feel the grease on the table. Wonderful author and wonderful books.
suzanne07090's review against another edition
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
collismeanshill's review against another edition
1.0
I have a rule, if I make it to 50 pages I finish a book. Make that had a rule. Abandoned. This book is terrible. Flat characters, see through plot line, a complete and utter lack of basic storytelling. It is what I would expect a disappointed and indicative 11 year old to write. I read that this was based off the author's own life and I can only imagine how whiny and self-pitying he must have been in person. How this is a classic, I cannot say.
saralynnburnett's review
5.0
Balzac was one of the realist french writers and in each of his books - you can literally smell the candle burning and feel the grease on the table. Wonderful author and wonderful books.
lnatal's review
3.0
From BBC radio 4 - Classical Serial:
Chris Dolan's dramatisation of Honore de Balzac's entertaining tale of family rivalry and fortunes lost and won, set in 19th-century France.
After Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo, Philippe Bridau becomes a reckless gambler who steals from his mother to finance his obsession. She foolishly continues to idolise him, and it is left to his more dependable brother Joseph to rescue the family from destitution.
Narrator ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Philippe Bridau ...... Thomas Arnold
Joseph Bridau ...... Mathew Pidgeon
Agathe Bridau ...... Briony McRoberts
Madame Descoings ...... Phyllida Law
Desroches ...... Jon Glover
Monsieur Hochon ...... Christian Rodska
Madame Hochon ...... Colette O'Neil
Max Gilet ...... Alan Cox
Baruch ...... Nyasha Hatendi
Giroudeau ...... David Holt
Mariette ...... Liz Sutherland
Directed by Bruce Young.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00czqt0
Chris Dolan's dramatisation of Honore de Balzac's entertaining tale of family rivalry and fortunes lost and won, set in 19th-century France.
After Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo, Philippe Bridau becomes a reckless gambler who steals from his mother to finance his obsession. She foolishly continues to idolise him, and it is left to his more dependable brother Joseph to rescue the family from destitution.
Narrator ...... Geoffrey Whitehead
Philippe Bridau ...... Thomas Arnold
Joseph Bridau ...... Mathew Pidgeon
Agathe Bridau ...... Briony McRoberts
Madame Descoings ...... Phyllida Law
Desroches ...... Jon Glover
Monsieur Hochon ...... Christian Rodska
Madame Hochon ...... Colette O'Neil
Max Gilet ...... Alan Cox
Baruch ...... Nyasha Hatendi
Giroudeau ...... David Holt
Mariette ...... Liz Sutherland
Directed by Bruce Young.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00czqt0
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