From the Bookshelf of Never too Late to Read Classics…

The Red and the Black

Stendhal

Start date: April 1, 2023

Finish date: June 30, 2023

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What Members Thought

Jul 04, 2014 Chrissie rated it did not like it

Shelves: disliked, 2014-read, france, audible-us, returned, hf, classics

On completion:

No, I did not like this book. I disliked the intertwining of its two central themes, one being a criticism of French Bourbon society after the fall of Napoleon and the crazy, unbelievable love affairs. The writing becomes more and more absurd the further you progress into the novel. The language is old-fashioned, formal, complicated and wordy. I was bugged to no end by the excessive use of etcetera and etcetera over and over again. Perhaps that was a translation problem? I am not s ...more

22 likes · Like · see review

Mar 03, 2008 Laura rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 1001-books-you-must-read-before-you, french-literature, hf-napoleonic-era

This is a historical psychological novel in two volumes by Stendhal, published in 1830.[1] It chronicles the attempts of a provincial young man to rise socially beyond his modest upbringing through a combination of talent, hard work, deception, and hypocrisy. He ultimately allows his passions to betray him.

2 likes · Like · see review

Nov 08, 2012 Charlotte Clementine rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: classics, 19th-century, french-lit, historical-fiction, abandoned

Quel ennui! Je n'ai pas réussi à le finir.
L'aspect historique est, pour moi, l'élément le plus intéressant du livre. J'ai trouvé que le développement des personnages, tous plus irritants les uns que les autres, se faisait trop par à-coups, et à aucun moment l'intrigue ne m'a touchée. Je ne retiendrais de ce roman que le manque d'émotion. ...more

1 like · Like · see review