giovianna's review against another edition
4.0
honestly a very difficult read at first; struggled with genet's writing style but felt such a strong compulsion to finish anyway. he does have a way however of random lines hidden in his ramblings that shake you to your core. i am very glad i read this book and i was blown away by the trial particularly. a culturally significant iconic work
mateusjobim's review against another edition
reflective
medium-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
2.0
trve_zach's review against another edition
Genet wrote this book while in prison. Unfortunately, a guard found the first draft and burned it. So he wrote it again. It was subsequently published (after he got out of prison) in a very limited, more sexually explicit run. He later edited it into the form that we have here, and what a treasure it is.
Following the trials and tribulations of the queer underbelly of Paris, this book centers on the relationship between Divine and their pimp/lover Darling. Their tumultuous and, at times, tender relationship brings them into contact with other pimps and prostitutes as they try to avoid-but-also-antagonize authority all the while forming a close-knit and, as is always the case in small scenes, petty community.
Enter a murderer, Our Lady of the Flowers. This character brings an element of chaos into the lives of Divine and Darling and their group, as Our Lady is brought into both the sexual and social folds, driving things towards the emotional climax of the story: Divine’s death from tuberculosis. Through interactions with Our Lady, betrayal, murder, violence, sexual transgressions, evil (in the Bataille sense) are held in esteem and holy transfiguration.
It’s the beauty of the down and out…a reminder of how close we all are to this life either through choice, or biology, or sociopolitical circumstance, or acts of God (God forbid). It has to have been an influence for folks like John Waters and other transgressive greats…Genet’s writing is certainly at the front of my mind when I work on Black Curse lyrics (having read Thief’s Journal some years back).
This is rebellion literature, and the world is better off for Genet forcing it (after repeated attempts at destruction and imprisonment) into existence.
Following the trials and tribulations of the queer underbelly of Paris, this book centers on the relationship between Divine and their pimp/lover Darling. Their tumultuous and, at times, tender relationship brings them into contact with other pimps and prostitutes as they try to avoid-but-also-antagonize authority all the while forming a close-knit and, as is always the case in small scenes, petty community.
Enter a murderer, Our Lady of the Flowers. This character brings an element of chaos into the lives of Divine and Darling and their group, as Our Lady is brought into both the sexual and social folds, driving things towards the emotional climax of the story: Divine’s death from tuberculosis. Through interactions with Our Lady, betrayal, murder, violence, sexual transgressions, evil (in the Bataille sense) are held in esteem and holy transfiguration.
It’s the beauty of the down and out…a reminder of how close we all are to this life either through choice, or biology, or sociopolitical circumstance, or acts of God (God forbid). It has to have been an influence for folks like John Waters and other transgressive greats…Genet’s writing is certainly at the front of my mind when I work on Black Curse lyrics (having read Thief’s Journal some years back).
This is rebellion literature, and the world is better off for Genet forcing it (after repeated attempts at destruction and imprisonment) into existence.
scanlona's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
eb00kie's review against another edition
Around the last update I almost bad-failed a key exam in a subject I loved and by the time I felt better, it was hard to pick up again. Might read Wiki, to remember who’s who and try again later
lordseregil's review
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
caracabe's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sethwr's review against another edition
challenging
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
epicpinkfluffyunicorn's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
i feel like i wasnt smart enough for it
cowfemme's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0