A review by kiminh
The Mandarins by Simone de Beauvoir

informative reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

Encapsulates the wartime and post war anxieties of the French intellectual scene, and de Beauvoir is both subtle yet incisive in applying the female perspective to this encapsulation, even with many sections occuring from the viewpoint of male characters. Some obvious stand-ins here for real life people in de Beauvoir's life, as from the get-go this is loosely inspired by her experiences in these circles, which makes it all the more fascinating in hor current and evergreen a lot of their dynamics and dilemmas feel..