Against Nature (À Rebours) by Robert Baldick, Joris-Karl Huysmans, Patrick McGuinness

Against Nature (À Rebours)

Robert Baldick, Joris-Karl Huysmans, Patrick McGuinness

242 pages • first pub 1884 (editions)

fiction classics challenging reflective slow-paced

Description

With a title translated either as Against Nature or as Against The Grain, this wildly original fin-de-siècle novel follows its sole character, Des Esseintes, a decadent, ailing aristocrat who retreats to an isolated villa where he indulges his tas...

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Community Reviews Summary of 597 reviews

Moods

reflective 80%
challenging 51%
dark 25%
funny 20%
informative 20%
emotional 14%
mysterious 14%
inspiring 11%
tense 8%
lighthearted 5%
adventurous 2%
relaxing 2%
sad 2%

Pace

slow 80%
medium 17%
fast 2%

Plot- or character-driven?

Character: 80% | N/A: 13% | A mix: 6%

Strong character development?

No: 50% | It's complicated: 26% | Yes: 23%

Loveable characters?

No: 68% | It's complicated: 25% | Yes: 6%

Diverse cast of characters?

No: 96% | It's complicated: 3%

Flaws of characters a main focus?

Yes: 79% | It's complicated: 10% | No: 10%

Average rating

3.52

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Content Warnings

Submitted by users as part of their reviews

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