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agnese88's review against another edition
informative
reflective
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
1.75
lantscvshoe's review against another edition
reflective
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
3.5
sofy_0_6's review against another edition
4.0
4.75⭐
"Quei giorni, non so, mi paiono tanto vicini e tanto lontani! Mi pare d'averli vissuti ieri, d'averli vissuti un secolo fa. Ma forse li ho sognati?"
"Quei giorni, non so, mi paiono tanto vicini e tanto lontani! Mi pare d'averli vissuti ieri, d'averli vissuti un secolo fa. Ma forse li ho sognati?"
tomleetang's review against another edition
2.0
An almost suffocating sensuousness, much like the scent of the flowers that fills the room in the first chapter.
It prefigures Proust, but D'Annunzio is more indulgent with himself and less scrupulous in his editing. If, occasionally, he lands upon a pretty phrase or a poignant observation, it is through the sheer amount of language he spews onto the page.
Pleasure functions less as a novel and more as a dictionary or encyclopaedia of various art forms, which d'Annunzio tirelessly (and tiresomely) references. Everything in this world has already been prefigured by a painting or a composition or a poem, and thus everything is utterly unoriginal.
It is not entirely without amusement. The scene with the courtesans is wickedly irreverent. And it is not entirely without pathos. The diary entries of Donna Maria are touchingly desperate. Elements remind me, positively, of Les Liaisons Dangereuses.
And yet, how glad I was to realise that the last few pages of the book were actually translator's notes and not more excess.
It prefigures Proust, but D'Annunzio is more indulgent with himself and less scrupulous in his editing. If, occasionally, he lands upon a pretty phrase or a poignant observation, it is through the sheer amount of language he spews onto the page.
Pleasure functions less as a novel and more as a dictionary or encyclopaedia of various art forms, which d'Annunzio tirelessly (and tiresomely) references. Everything in this world has already been prefigured by a painting or a composition or a poem, and thus everything is utterly unoriginal.
It is not entirely without amusement. The scene with the courtesans is wickedly irreverent. And it is not entirely without pathos. The diary entries of Donna Maria are touchingly desperate. Elements remind me, positively, of Les Liaisons Dangereuses.
And yet, how glad I was to realise that the last few pages of the book were actually translator's notes and not more excess.
cam_flower's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
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
3.75
virg_i's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
morrxson's review against another edition
2.0
While d’Annunzio’s most popular title, I couldn’t find much enjoyment in it. It’s the best of his works, yes, and quintessentially both d’Annunzio and a Decadent piece of literature, but I found the plot terribly boring. It’s not really a book for me, personally.
danik's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
tonywilliams01's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
relaxing
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0