What do you think?
Rate this book
Pothos
POTHOS
A STORY OF LOVE AND DESIRE
French writer, Philippe Malzieu, takes the reader on a nostalgic journey of tragic love and friendship in the pages of this timeless romance. The life experience of a tortured actress, seeking acceptance and success, collides with a medical student, struggling to complete his education. Their relationship descends beneath the sublime, where dark characters aim to destroy, and desire is perverted.
A harrowing day is pulled from their passionate union, dissected with unique precision, and then slammed together with heart-rending consequences. The intern’s nightshift, at the local psychiatric hospital, provides the backdrop for this night of turmoil. In the eerie passageways of the depressing institution, be introduced to an unusual cast of players, some who will scream for your attention.
For the narrator, passing years and newfound affections soothe the overwhelming sadness of love gone awry, and tender friendships lost. However, one’s soul is always, and forever, tied to fading memories of the past.
Pothos, the brother of Eros, personifies desire in all its forms: passion, lust, sexual need, as well as an unappeased, insatiable craving.
Scroll up and grab a copy today.67 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 23, 2014
25 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 16, 2015
At the beginning there was a book (« Dernier inventaire avant liquidation » Beigbeider.) on the 50 greatest literary masterpiece.approved by the politically correct french leader (“Le monde” and “Télérama) The choice strongly displeased to me because it was not opened enough to the world. Too much French. I discovered Goodreads by chance. I realize that it gives me the freedom to build there my personal Pantheon.
The French version was poor. I thus have to write in English and the first texts were not goods. I thought it will be a short history with GR, ,only the time to list my preferate books. I don’t like social network. And then there was the reading of your texts and that was a good emulation. I discover the pleasure to write. In short, I got caught up and I became addict.
But at the end of a few months there was a kind of frustration. To write on books, is a little to be held remote them. To criticize a book is the means not of writing some. Obstacle, there is a kind of shamlesness. When you wtite, you are naked. Even if your novel talks about dragon, it’s always about you which you speak. But talking about books is also speaking about himself. You say more on you and your life by the choice of your books than if you write your biography.
I think that every GR friends is somewhere a writer.
We can do it.
I do.
Thus the book.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M0DUW44/
The French version was poor. I thus have to write in English and the first texts were not goods. I thought it will be a short history with GR, ,only the time to list my preferate books. I don’t like social network. And then there was the reading of your texts and that was a good emulation. I discover the pleasure to write. In short, I got caught up and I became addict.
But at the end of a few months there was a kind of frustration. To write on books, is a little to be held remote them. To criticize a book is the means not of writing some. Obstacle, there is a kind of shamlesness. When you wtite, you are naked. Even if your novel talks about dragon, it’s always about you which you speak. But talking about books is also speaking about himself. You say more on you and your life by the choice of your books than if you write your biography.
I think that every GR friends is somewhere a writer.
We can do it.
I do.
Thus the book.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M0DUW44/
March 29, 2015
-This book is seriously in need of editing - be it only for the typos and grammatical errors.
-I want to point out the horrendous writing style (most of the sentences are 5-word long, dialogues (for lack of a better word) are randomly thrown in and don't bring anything to the narration, most of the paragraphs are one-sentence long, ...) but i'm not sure if the author did it on purpose or not (Maybe it's his way of being artistic?) so i'll give him the benefit of the doubt.
- about the content : the story has potential and the characters are intriguing enough. It had a strong European vibe to it.
-it's short.
-I want to point out the horrendous writing style (most of the sentences are 5-word long, dialogues (for lack of a better word) are randomly thrown in and don't bring anything to the narration, most of the paragraphs are one-sentence long, ...) but i'm not sure if the author did it on purpose or not (Maybe it's his way of being artistic?) so i'll give him the benefit of the doubt.
- about the content : the story has potential and the characters are intriguing enough. It had a strong European vibe to it.
-it's short.
December 6, 2015
Two lovers rendezvous in a coffee shop, and the story which transpires from there challenges the reviewer to choose from a multitude of adjectives which could appropriately describe what follows: dark, passionate, suspenseful, twisted, etc. The protagonist doctor meets with his actress/lover Juliette in a coffee shop. The conversation leads to a break-up of the relationship, which is redefined in the following chapters.
The author is demonstrably well-educated by the thoroughness with which he injects cultured references into his novella. References to French literature, an Italian vacation, Greek mythology, some Latin phrases, fine wine, gourmet food, allusions to famous paintings, and philosophical discussions all inject richness into the narrative which more than establishes the narrator’s credibility as an intelligent person of means. This sophistication is further solidified by the narrator’s expressed disdain for non-intellectuals, those who enjoy a “beer—burp—urine environment” commonly frequented by those who observe and/or play team sports.
The cultured charm seemingly infused into every page in this novella unfortunately cannot replace the need for a solid, driving plot. After the narrator relationship with Juliette expires, he takes the reader along on a flashback of their romantic exhibitionist vacation before offering a night-shift tour of a psychiatric hospital and its inhabitants with his coworker Bruno. Even two-thirds the way through this novella, I was unsure to what purpose the protagonist was heading. This is surely not a drama (I supposed), nor a murder mystery (for it does not seem that anyone has died), and even two-thirds the way through this novella, I was unsure to what purpose the protagonist was heading. At the conclusion of this novella, many questions remain would could be resolved by adding depth to the characters and clarifying the plot. However, the overall writing talent and intelligence of the author is undeniable.
The author is demonstrably well-educated by the thoroughness with which he injects cultured references into his novella. References to French literature, an Italian vacation, Greek mythology, some Latin phrases, fine wine, gourmet food, allusions to famous paintings, and philosophical discussions all inject richness into the narrative which more than establishes the narrator’s credibility as an intelligent person of means. This sophistication is further solidified by the narrator’s expressed disdain for non-intellectuals, those who enjoy a “beer—burp—urine environment” commonly frequented by those who observe and/or play team sports.
The cultured charm seemingly infused into every page in this novella unfortunately cannot replace the need for a solid, driving plot. After the narrator relationship with Juliette expires, he takes the reader along on a flashback of their romantic exhibitionist vacation before offering a night-shift tour of a psychiatric hospital and its inhabitants with his coworker Bruno. Even two-thirds the way through this novella, I was unsure to what purpose the protagonist was heading. This is surely not a drama (I supposed), nor a murder mystery (for it does not seem that anyone has died), and even two-thirds the way through this novella, I was unsure to what purpose the protagonist was heading. At the conclusion of this novella, many questions remain would could be resolved by adding depth to the characters and clarifying the plot. However, the overall writing talent and intelligence of the author is undeniable.
October 15, 2014
Depuis Racine jusqu'a nos jours, les francais sont les maîtres de l'art de se servir de la grande litterature grecque afin de commenter l'actualitée. Pothos de Philippe Malzieu est est une nouvelle extrement bien reussi dans cette grande tradition francaise.
Pothos est le dieu de l'amour inassouvi. Alors, on comprend tout de suite que la nouvelle ne sera pas gaie. Pourtant Pothos est tres belle. Notre protagoniste qui est un étudiant au debut de sa formation adore l'humanité et surtout ses proches. Il est finallement un Rutebeuf peniblement jeune qui a une nostalgie profond pour ses amis d'antan.
Notre protagoniste-Rutebeuf decrit un stage qui fait dans unité psychiatrique. Un autre jeune étudiant affecté à la meme unité devient une véritable ame soeur. Les deux jeunes partagent un amour profonde pour la culture classique et un sens de comique Rabelesien envers la malbouffe.
Notre Rutebeuf est peut-etre un esprit trop tendre. Il tombe follement amoureux d'une des malades a l'hopital qui avait ete affreusement malmenée par lavie. Rutebeuf devient vieux avant son temps.
On commence a entendre le refrain:
Que sont mes amis devenus
Que j'avais de si près tenus
Et tant aimés
Ils ont été trop clairsemés
Je crois le vent les a ôtés
L'amour est morte
Ce sont amis que vent emporte
Et il ventait devant ma porte
Et le premier raffle arrivent emportant tous sauf Rutebeuf qui ne peut rien sauf pleurer.
Pothos est fortment reccommandé. C'est le genre de litterature francaise qui me plait enormement.
Pothos est le dieu de l'amour inassouvi. Alors, on comprend tout de suite que la nouvelle ne sera pas gaie. Pourtant Pothos est tres belle. Notre protagoniste qui est un étudiant au debut de sa formation adore l'humanité et surtout ses proches. Il est finallement un Rutebeuf peniblement jeune qui a une nostalgie profond pour ses amis d'antan.
Notre protagoniste-Rutebeuf decrit un stage qui fait dans unité psychiatrique. Un autre jeune étudiant affecté à la meme unité devient une véritable ame soeur. Les deux jeunes partagent un amour profonde pour la culture classique et un sens de comique Rabelesien envers la malbouffe.
Notre Rutebeuf est peut-etre un esprit trop tendre. Il tombe follement amoureux d'une des malades a l'hopital qui avait ete affreusement malmenée par lavie. Rutebeuf devient vieux avant son temps.
On commence a entendre le refrain:
Que sont mes amis devenus
Que j'avais de si près tenus
Et tant aimés
Ils ont été trop clairsemés
Je crois le vent les a ôtés
L'amour est morte
Ce sont amis que vent emporte
Et il ventait devant ma porte
Et le premier raffle arrivent emportant tous sauf Rutebeuf qui ne peut rien sauf pleurer.
Pothos est fortment reccommandé. C'est le genre de litterature francaise qui me plait enormement.
December 8, 2014
This book felt like the right kind of wrong. Being from the US, a fair amount was lost in translation. What was not lost was a feeling of a struggle for power. Not only do the characters struggle with each other, but within themselves. There is no simple path, or clean way to live through life. At times you cheer for the "hero" other times you want to shake him violently.
I felt a good connection to the characters, but I am not sure I can recommend this for everyone. If your looking for a classic, simple story - you may want to look elsewhere. This is a novel in a novella's skin. Study may be required.
I felt a good connection to the characters, but I am not sure I can recommend this for everyone. If your looking for a classic, simple story - you may want to look elsewhere. This is a novel in a novella's skin. Study may be required.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews