A review by itsannasreads
La Peau de chagrin by Honoré de Balzac
1.0
The main problem with this book was the language, since I had to read it for the summer assignments in the original language. I have been studying French for three years now and I have an intermediate/advanced level, but in some places I was forced to translate entire sentences because I did not understand them.
As I went on with it, I kind of "gave in" to the fact that I couldn't understand everything and, since the story wasn't getting to me, I started to go beyond the parts I didn't understand.
Unfortunately, much of my negative rating depends on this: I did not enjoy the book for a single second.
But, as of the novel itself, I found it really slow since there was often a lot of political and social monologues that made the reading really boring. I never wanted to continue reading and I forced myself to.
I am aware that it is a great classic of French literature, but I have not found a single reason to appreciate it.
As I went on with it, I kind of "gave in" to the fact that I couldn't understand everything and, since the story wasn't getting to me, I started to go beyond the parts I didn't understand.
Unfortunately, much of my negative rating depends on this: I did not enjoy the book for a single second.
But, as of the novel itself, I found it really slow since there was often a lot of political and social monologues that made the reading really boring. I never wanted to continue reading and I forced myself to.
I am aware that it is a great classic of French literature, but I have not found a single reason to appreciate it.