Reviews

Happiness, as Such by Natalia Ginzburg

deb018's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

shewritesinmargins's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.25

cwalsh's review against another edition

2.0

Everyone is miserable, including me.

sarah323's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

abibabibook's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective fast-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

motnostalgique's review against another edition

5.0

“ci si abitua a tutto quando non rimane più niente”

eppure io non mi abituerò mai all’assenza di questa dolce amara storia.
grazie per avermi tenuto compagnia nelle giornate fredde di marzo in stazione, grazie per avermi accarezzato l’anima nei primi giorni di aprile e grazie per avermi fatto versare l’ultima e amara lacrima in questa giornata terribile di giugno
libri come questi sono il motivo per cui leggo
grazie grazie grazie


marzo-giugno 2023 <3

amanda_marie's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

It’s subtle, simple, and yet so endearing. Each character was hilariously opinionated, and I love the use of letters to understand them better. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Classism and Homophobia

thereaderintherye's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

betweenbookends's review against another edition

4.0

This slim novella opens with the disappearance of the son of this family, Michele, who has escaped to England after being involved in some political troubles in Italy. Most of the novel is epistolary following the letters from different family members punctuated with sections of narration. This is a very clever technique, as you get to see incidents from multiple perspectives and how different people interpret them. One of the highlights for me was Ginzburg's sharp, dry wit that really cuts to the bone. These are unlikeable people and their letters and actions are filled with their various contradictions and misled hopes. However, there's always that faint glimmer of warmth beneath the vitriol they spew on one another. This is a very fine book, scathing, unapologetic, and witty.

matthewainley's review

funny reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75