Down There by Joris-Karl Huysmans

264 pages first pub 1891 (editions)

fiction classics dark medium-paced

Description

At the novel's center is Durtal, a writer obsessed with the life of one of the blackest figures in history, Gilles de Rais — child murderer, sadist, necrophile and practitioner of all the black arts. The book's authentic, extraordinarily detailed ...

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Community Reviews Summary of 162 reviews

Moods

dark 92%
mysterious 64%
challenging 35%
reflective 28%
informative 21%
tense 21%
funny 14%
adventurous 7%
emotional 7%

Pace

slow 42%
medium 42%
fast 14%

Plot- or character-driven?

Character: 45% | A mix: 27% | Plot: 27%

Strong character development?

It's complicated: 33% | No: 33% | Yes: 22% | N/A: 11%

Loveable characters?

No: 66% | It's complicated: 33%

Diverse cast of characters?

It's complicated: 60% | No: 40%

Flaws of characters a main focus?

No: 50% | Yes: 40% | It's complicated: 10%

Average rating

3.82

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