Reviews

what’s better than rich french people messing with other rich french people behind each other’s backs. and yet, both Dangerous Liaisons (dir. frears) and Cruel Intentions (dir. kumble) are better than the novel.

for class.

raspberryicedtea's review against another edition

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challenging funny reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

read in German translation

This was, despite being written even before the french revolution, surprisingly modern in style and pretty funny. I hated these people so much but the drama was entertaining and the writing wasn´t dry or boring at all. That might have been the modern translation as well though so idk. I also love unreliable narrators so this was a banger of a novel, I would say.
Would definitely recommend if you´re into french aristocracy but also if you really hate the nobility and want to read about all the shit they get up to. If this was how they were i can definitely see why people wanted to guillotine them.

max98's review against another edition

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emotional funny tense medium-paced

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

4.0

This novel is such a classic that I was really visions to read it. I loved the style, the language is so beautiful, and the story is unpredictable and keeps your interest. However the characters are so hateful that I found it hard to finish in the end. Since their actions keep being despicable, maybe I would have preferred it to be shorter as in my mind so parts of the book do not really bring much value to the overall story and just add length. It remains a very good novel!!! I loved the inclusion of the letters between the author and a detractor, a female author. But my, is the prose gorgeous!

al_sharnaqi's review against another edition

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5.0

"من الَّذي لا يستطيع أن يرتجف رعبًا وهو يفكر بالمصائب التي يمكن أن تنتج عن علاقة خطرة واحدة! وأية متاعب كان بالإمكان تلافيها لو فكر الجميع فيها بتعقل! وأية امرأة لا تهرب لدى أول محادثة من جانب رجل غاو! وأية أمّ تستطيع -دون أن ترتجف خوفًا- أن ترى شخصًا آخر سواها يتحدث إلى ابنتها؟ ولكن هذه الملاحظات التي فات أوانها لا تأتي إلا بعد وقوع الكارثة!".
تمامًا لا تتم ولا تكتمل الملاحظة إلّا بعد وقوع الكارثة. وفيما قد يجدي ذاك حينها؟ غير الندم الّذي يشبعنا ذنبًا فوق ذنب من غير أية جدوى في راحة ترجى وفي أن تُنَال تأبى.

يا إلهي! يا لها من رواية! وَيَا لها من متعة القراءة فيها. ماذا عساي أن أقول؟ لا شيء. حتمًا لا شيء أقولهُ سيمكنني من وصف الأثر الّذي تركته في نفسي هذه الرواية. ولكم أتمنى يا أصدقاء القراءة أن تقتنوها وتقرأوا فيها عن دراية بإدراكٍ وتمعن.
ولإنهَا تستحقُ ذلك حق استحقاق.

thekoolaidqueen's review against another edition

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challenging funny reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

astrono9's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

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

3.5

queendiane's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny medium-paced

5.0

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