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m_a_j's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: Death, Miscarriage, and Grief
book_bear's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-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
3.75
I really enjoyed this story, even if it did get a little repetitive at times. The characters were deliciously wicked. There was lots of drama in this one. While I do recommend it, I wouldn't reread it. It was one of those books that was a great one time read. :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
kitf's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Definitely a book full of characters you love to hate.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
mazzoccatoadele's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
slow-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
5.0
i love reading about rich people ruining each other's lives
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Infidelity, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Sexual content and Murder
Minor: Miscarriage, Grief, and Pregnancy
mirandasusan's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
lostinthelibrary's review against another edition
dark
funny
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? Yes
5.0
Oh wow, who would have thought something so risqué would have be published 250 years ago. I devoured this! I am a sucker for despicable and nefarious characters and this book has two of them who are just so enjoyable in their villainy. It is all about the rich playing with people because they have nothing else to fulfil their lives and it depicts this so well that I wouldn't be surprised if this book led some people to join the French Revolution!
Even outside of the two villains, the characters are so well drawn and all of their motivations clear. The format of the story through letters is perfect as it forces you to fill in the narrative gaps and makes the reveals all the more shocking. It also adds perfectly to the gossipy nature of the storytelling. All in all, this has been my biggest surprise of the year and a book I will highly recommend to anyone intimidated by classics but not by dark themes.
Even outside of the two villains, the characters are so well drawn and all of their motivations clear. The format of the story through letters is perfect as it forces you to fill in the narrative gaps and makes the reveals all the more shocking. It also adds perfectly to the gossipy nature of the storytelling. All in all, this has been my biggest surprise of the year and a book I will highly recommend to anyone intimidated by classics but not by dark themes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Infidelity, Rape, and Sexual assault
adelekittey's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-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
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Murder, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
bookish_5280's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I read this book in French (not my native language). I think this partly played into the reading experience, which I thought was unpleasant. But while I did not enjoy all the time that I spent reading it, I did enjoy reflecting on it and discussing it afterwards. I think it's important in multiple different ways. In a historical sense, it was a brazen book to write, and it played a critical role in the French Revolution, serving as a biting critique of the bourgeoisie and providing an incredibly progressive perspective on the rights and education of women. I also loved the style (after I got past not being able to understand parts of it :)), and the irony and sarcasm that Laclos used were really enjoyable. He was a genius in the sense that he was able to use the epistolary format to create a world in which the reader always has the upper hand, while also being able to show the world the hypocrisy and cruelty of the culture of "libertinage". I still can't decide what rating to give to this book, just because I was so miserable while reading it, but I do have to admit that it was a fascinating story to discuss and learn about. Maybe I should just reread it in English :).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
queenslayerbee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
Forever waiting on my to-read pile, I finished this book about a month ago, and I've thought about it every day since. It was worth the wait; I don't wish I had read it sooner, because I might have not appreciated it as much as a less mature reader. As it is now, it's one of the most engaging novels I've encountered, as well as one of the most fascinating. The prose was verbose and descriptive, full of turns of phrase that constantly left me amazed. The character work was just as effective, aided by the epistolary format: you can't trust these people, you can't trust their version of events, either because they might lie or omit to others or to themselves. You'll second guess them (or at least, you're meant to), and your own assumptions about it; things I love to experience while I read. Merteuil, in particular, gained herself a spot among my most beloved characters of all time. She's scheming and horrid and absolutely marvelous for it, and her subtle war of wills with Valmont was a pleasure to read. All in all, this was a really great read for anybody who enjoys prose on the more intricate side, who wants to read and grapple with the grey area and the basest, most unappealing traits of humanity.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Sexual assault