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gianni_esplora_letteratura's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
ale_irigoyen's review against another edition
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? No
3.0
The narrator is walking out of his hotel in 2006 when he notices a young man that resembles his first love. This prompts him to reminisce about his adolescence, and the tragedy of his first love.
This did nothing for me. I did not feel for the characters, and the ending did not destroy me, as it did to so many others. It isn't a bad book, but I think I would be more touched if this were a memoir. Is it? It kinda felt like it, but it apparently is fiction.
This did nothing for me. I did not feel for the characters, and the ending did not destroy me, as it did to so many others. It isn't a bad book, but I think I would be more touched if this were a memoir. Is it? It kinda felt like it, but it apparently is fiction.
sscullyy's review against another edition
4.0
A few criticisms of this book stated that it adds nothing new to the narrative and that it’s rather melodramatic. While both of those statements are true, this was still a very poignant story about first love, lost love, and the unhappiness that comes with living a lie. I was devastated for both Philippe and Thomas. For Philippe because Thomas was ashamed to love him, and he got a limited version of the man he loved because of that. For Thomas because he was too afraid to live an authentic life, and was unable to find true happiness. he hid his identity from everyone he knew, and from himself with his wife and son.
The most heartbreaking part of this book was the last few pages when we, as the readers learn that Thomas tried to break out of the shackles of his fear and finally live his life in the light, but he was unable to escape himself and his fears, which ultimately killed him. ”In the end, he remained hidden all his life. In spite of the great departure, the ambitious effort to for new existence, he fell back into all the same traps: shame, the impossibility of sharing a love that endures.”
Philippe and the reader discovered that Thomas wrote him a letter before leaving for Spain that he was never brave enough to send. This letter confirms to Philippe at their love was as significant to Thomas as it was to him, even if Thomas was too afraid to admit it to him. The letter is devastating, and makes you as the reader imagine the life they could’ve had or the life Thomas could have lived if he was able to send that letter or be honest about who he was.
“You have your life waiting for you, and I will never change. I just wanted to write to tell you that I have been happy during these months together, that I have never been so happy, and that I already know I will never be so happy again.”
And damn if that doesn’t make you want to put your head through a plate glass window.
The most heartbreaking part of this book was the last few pages when we, as the readers learn that Thomas tried to break out of the shackles of his fear and finally live his life in the light, but he was unable to escape himself and his fears, which ultimately killed him. ”In the end, he remained hidden all his life. In spite of the great departure, the ambitious effort to for new existence, he fell back into all the same traps: shame, the impossibility of sharing a love that endures.”
Philippe and the reader discovered that Thomas wrote him a letter before leaving for Spain that he was never brave enough to send. This letter confirms to Philippe at their love was as significant to Thomas as it was to him, even if Thomas was too afraid to admit it to him. The letter is devastating, and makes you as the reader imagine the life they could’ve had or the life Thomas could have lived if he was able to send that letter or be honest about who he was.
“You have your life waiting for you, and I will never change. I just wanted to write to tell you that I have been happy during these months together, that I have never been so happy, and that I already know I will never be so happy again.”
And damn if that doesn’t make you want to put your head through a plate glass window.
johnjfd's review against another edition
I see that many people are comparing this book with "Brokeback Mountain," which is appropriate, but I thought more of a weaker Andre Aciman book with its tenderness, frank sexuality and emotional navel gazing or emotional exploration (depending on one's mood when reading it). The references to it being autobiographical testify to the authenticity of the narrator's voice in describing village life, social mores, and the emotional traps the characters find themselves in.
The final two chapters do, I think, move the book from being a simply beautiful love story towards being more of an explication of how clashing values can stunt and then crush those who cannot find safety. Yet, it also offers hope for the possibility of change or at least escape. I read this at the same time as watching the mini-series "It's a Sin" which, while very different plot-wise and stylistically, deals with this same theme with as much sadness and hope. I think that the fact that gay coming of age stories such as this increasingly need to be told as past history.
The final two chapters do, I think, move the book from being a simply beautiful love story towards being more of an explication of how clashing values can stunt and then crush those who cannot find safety. Yet, it also offers hope for the possibility of change or at least escape. I read this at the same time as watching the mini-series "It's a Sin" which, while very different plot-wise and stylistically, deals with this same theme with as much sadness and hope. I think that the fact that gay coming of age stories such as this increasingly need to be told as past history.
heykelan's review against another edition
4.0
This has been on my list for a long time. I wish the chapters were shorter but this was a nice little gay read.
alexh1538's review against another edition
4.0
Good but a bit underwhelmed, I wish the story would’ve gone more into their relationship. As well as giving the perspective of Thomas, and what his life was like and how he was feeling. It was still a beautiful story just lacked substance.
greenchasm's review against another edition
5.0
I finished this book in a day. The story itself is beautiful and heart wrenching, though it is the last two chapters that made me cry. Very short, very French, and very lovely.
emmasdilemma's review against another edition
emotional
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.25
iridessence's review against another edition
emotional
relaxing
sad
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
4.25
Ending felt like a gut punch