lraven13's review against another edition
5.0
Lush, gorgeously dreamy
I too love Dangerous Liaisons and have seen all the film versions. I love how this novel is written, it so perfectly captures the story, the characters are strong, vivid and in a word, Valiant. I rarely rate anything a 5 star but this is truly a must read. I hope they do a film.
I too love Dangerous Liaisons and have seen all the film versions. I love how this novel is written, it so perfectly captures the story, the characters are strong, vivid and in a word, Valiant. I rarely rate anything a 5 star but this is truly a must read. I hope they do a film.
libscote's review against another edition
4.0
If you are interested in a retelling of Dangerous Liaisons that is well-written, this is for you. The late 1940s Harlem setting is just icing on the cake.
the_discworldian's review against another edition
4.0
Popsugar 2019 Reading Challenge: A book with "love" in the title
This was A Good Book. It is well-written, well-constructed, detailed, evocative, and overall admirable. As far as a work of art goes, I give it two thumbs up. It just wasn't the book for me.
I prefer books where characters act like people, or characters act like they know how other people act. And this just didn't have that at all - with the exception of some of Mae's machinations. There's a scene where she thinks something along the line of "wow, men are idiots" and as far as this book went, I had to agree with her. I also could not get past my dislike of Val enough to have any sympathy for him at any moment. He's a manipulative, self-deluding creep, and the many scenes where he feels entitled to sex made me want to throw the book across the room, as did. His thoughts about Elizabeth and how she would react to this thing or that thing that he did, particularly towards the end, really made me wonder how I was supposed to believe he was so successful at manipulation, since he didn't seem to know how people react to things.
Reading this was kind of like watching an opera, both in scope and lack of credibility. So if you're into that, read on! If you're not, this may be one to miss.
This was A Good Book. It is well-written, well-constructed, detailed, evocative, and overall admirable. As far as a work of art goes, I give it two thumbs up. It just wasn't the book for me.
I prefer books where characters act like people, or characters act like they know how other people act. And this just didn't have that at all - with the exception of some of Mae's machinations. There's a scene where she thinks something along the line of "wow, men are idiots" and as far as this book went, I had to agree with her. I also could not get past my dislike of Val enough to have any sympathy for him at any moment. He's a manipulative, self-deluding creep, and the many scenes where he feels entitled to sex made me want to throw the book across the room, as did
Spoiler
the scene where he fucking rapes Cecily! Followed by the scene where Mae convinces her it wasn't really rapeReading this was kind of like watching an opera, both in scope and lack of credibility. So if you're into that, read on! If you're not, this may be one to miss.
amymorgan's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you Edelweiss for my review copy of this book. A modern retelling of Dangerous Liasons this was a fun read. Full of intrigue and betrayal in 1940's Harlem this sexy story will keep you interested from start to finish!
arkwen452's review against another edition
5.0
******Full Review over at G. Jacks Writes.******
Unforgivable Love is a retelling of the classic Les Liaisons Dangerous, but I'm not familiar with the original story. What I do know is that this book is filled with this laid-back, passionate and vibrant imagery elegance from start to finish. The love and details of music associated with Harlem and the rippling complexity of each of the characters draw a number of favorable points for this book.
Besides being set in one of my favorite eras, I found that the cockiness of the main characters was something that really kept me hooked almost right away because their confidence and self-assurance was not only entertaining but intriguing; almost daringly pulling the reader into their games with them. Likewise, the characters brought an infectious intensity, twists and at times bits of humor in the narrative. Like others will, I'm sure, I really loved the well laid out social intrigue between Mae and her inner circle.
Like I said, I'm not familiar with Les Liaisons Dangerous, but I have seen Cruel Intentions (the film adaptation of the classic) and Unforgivable Love has it beat in my opinion. Scott has taken a fairly well-known story and just made it her own.
Moreover, I don't think anyone should go without mentioning Scott's skill at retelling such a classic from the uniquely diverse perspective of African-Americans during the 1940s in Harlem. So little is often re-told with such an abundance of creativity and freshness with classics like this and little is known or can even be imagined of African-Americans with money and class during such an iconic era. Which only made me fall in love with this book even more.
The world built and the characters in Unforgivable Love will hook any reader who enjoys a rich, visual narrative, 1940s Harlem, and Jazz on the cusp of the Civil Rights movement. With imperfect characters that you will find yourself loving to hate, hate to love, lost loves, the desire for love, revenge and so much more.
Unforgivable Love is a retelling of the classic Les Liaisons Dangerous, but I'm not familiar with the original story. What I do know is that this book is filled with this laid-back, passionate and vibrant imagery elegance from start to finish. The love and details of music associated with Harlem and the rippling complexity of each of the characters draw a number of favorable points for this book.
Besides being set in one of my favorite eras, I found that the cockiness of the main characters was something that really kept me hooked almost right away because their confidence and self-assurance was not only entertaining but intriguing; almost daringly pulling the reader into their games with them. Likewise, the characters brought an infectious intensity, twists and at times bits of humor in the narrative. Like others will, I'm sure, I really loved the well laid out social intrigue between Mae and her inner circle.
Like I said, I'm not familiar with Les Liaisons Dangerous, but I have seen Cruel Intentions (the film adaptation of the classic) and Unforgivable Love has it beat in my opinion. Scott has taken a fairly well-known story and just made it her own.
Moreover, I don't think anyone should go without mentioning Scott's skill at retelling such a classic from the uniquely diverse perspective of African-Americans during the 1940s in Harlem. So little is often re-told with such an abundance of creativity and freshness with classics like this and little is known or can even be imagined of African-Americans with money and class during such an iconic era. Which only made me fall in love with this book even more.
The world built and the characters in Unforgivable Love will hook any reader who enjoys a rich, visual narrative, 1940s Harlem, and Jazz on the cusp of the Civil Rights movement. With imperfect characters that you will find yourself loving to hate, hate to love, lost loves, the desire for love, revenge and so much more.
berniemck's review against another edition
3.0
This book was a reimagining of Dangerous Liaison's, which by the way, I never read. This book was set in Harlem in the late 1940's. It is full of deception and malicious scheming orchestrated by Miss Mae Malveaux. After Mae reeks havoc and cunningly manipulates innocent people, their lives change and not for better. This book did indeed have it's moments when I was rolling my eyes because a woman was being taking advantage of or was doing something overly stupid. All the characters in this book did not have a happily ever after moment which made this quite an interesting and enjoyable read.
readermonica's review against another edition
4.0
I read this one as part of the #ReadSoulLit reading for 2019.
Really enjoyable retelling. Nicely written, atmospheric, with characters that are really well developed. I especially liked they way Scott made all of the character's secrets, desires, and weaknesses so interconnected, that the way the story unfolds seemed inevitable.
I enjoyed this one so much that I am going to order All I Need to Get By. It sounds like a page turner too.
Where you can find me:
•(♥).•*Monlatable Book Reviews*•.(♥)•
Twitter: @MonlatReader
Instagram: @readermonica
Facebook: Monica Reeds
Goodreads Group: The Black Bookcase
Really enjoyable retelling. Nicely written, atmospheric, with characters that are really well developed. I especially liked they way Scott made all of the character's secrets, desires, and weaknesses so interconnected, that the way the story unfolds seemed inevitable.
I enjoyed this one so much that I am going to order All I Need to Get By. It sounds like a page turner too.
Where you can find me:
•(♥).•*Monlatable Book Reviews*•.(♥)•
Twitter: @MonlatReader
Instagram: @readermonica
Facebook: Monica Reeds
Goodreads Group: The Black Bookcase
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