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Songe à la douceur
Quand Tatiana rencontre Eugène, elle a 14 ans, il en a 17 ; c'est l'été, et il n'a rien d'autre à faire que de lui parler. Il est sûr de lui, charmant et plein d'ennui, et elle timide, idéaliste et romantique. Inévitablement, elle tombe amoureuse, et lui, semblerait-il, aussi. Alors elle lui écrit une lettre ; il la rejette, pour de mauvaises raisons peut-être. Et puis un drame les sépare pour de bon. Dix ans plus tard, ils se retrouvent par hasard. Tatiana s'est affirmée, elle est mûre et confiante ; Eugène s'aperçoit, maintenant, qu'il ne peut plus vivre loin d'elle. Mais est-ce qu'elle veut encore de lui ? Songe à la douceur, c'est l'histoire de ces deux histoires d'amour absolu et déphasé - l'un adolescent, l'autre jeune adulte - et de ce que dix ans, à ce moment-là d'une vie, peuvent changer. Une double histoire d'amour inspirée des deux Eugène Onéguine de Pouchkine et de Tchaïkovski - et donc écrite en vers, pour en garder la poésie.
264 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 24, 2016
135 people are currently reading
8669 people want to read
About the author
Clémentine Beauvais
109 books303 followersI was born in Paris in 1989 and though I started to read children’s books pretty early, I somehow never stopped. As a result, I’ve become a writer, reader and student of children’s literature. I’ve now been living and studying in Cambridge (UK) for seven years and have become a doctor. Well, not the type that saves people’s lives. The type that scribbles ‘PhD’ after their name and rambles on about beauty, truth and the value of (all) literature. Worth striving for, I think! More about my academic work here.
The other thing I do is write books – children’s books, surprisingly enough. In fact, it’s not ‘the other thing’. It’s the first thing I ever did, really – long before I heard that you could actually analyse books for a living, I wanted to write books for a living. So I started writing, and ultimately getting published – in French first, and now in English as well. My first series of children’s books in English, led by self-made superheroine Sesame Seade, is being published in 2013 by Hodder Children’s Books!
I am represented by Kirsty McLachlan of David Godwin Associates.
‘How’s your name pronounced???!!!!!’
Clementeen Bovay.
But that’s not even all there is to it. My full name is Clémentine Morgane Mélusine Hécate Beauvais.
As Sesame Seade would have it: ‘Seriously! Parents!’
- from her website
The other thing I do is write books – children’s books, surprisingly enough. In fact, it’s not ‘the other thing’. It’s the first thing I ever did, really – long before I heard that you could actually analyse books for a living, I wanted to write books for a living. So I started writing, and ultimately getting published – in French first, and now in English as well. My first series of children’s books in English, led by self-made superheroine Sesame Seade, is being published in 2013 by Hodder Children’s Books!
I am represented by Kirsty McLachlan of David Godwin Associates.
‘How’s your name pronounced???!!!!!’
Clementeen Bovay.
But that’s not even all there is to it. My full name is Clémentine Morgane Mélusine Hécate Beauvais.
As Sesame Seade would have it: ‘Seriously! Parents!’
- from her website
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 934 reviews
did-not-finish
April 15, 2019DNF at 15%: This was a mess. thank u, next
August 8, 2018
this is the perfect book to read in bed before you fall asleep and you're like "i'll just get a few pages in so i can doze off" and then oops you just read 100 pages but it's kind of okay because it's poetry so it's fast? but at the same time that doesn't change the fact that it's 2 a.m. and your sleeping schedule is just as much in shambles as it was the night before and also has been for your entire life.
that's a long way of saying "i read this book in three nights, exclusively after midnight."
i am also an absolute IDIOT, because when i entered the giveaway for this book (thanks goodreads giveaways!) i did not notice it was poetry. i would not have entered if i knew it was poetry.
so it's a good thing i'm an unobservant buffoon i guess??? because i really (really, REALLY) loved the writing of this book. it was, like. my favorite part.
the non-favorite part is the stupid trash man male love interest who sucks and i hate. it is impossible for me to love this book, even though i may (super may) want to, because of Mr. Garbage Individual over here.
things i liked:
a) the female love interest (yay, Tatiana)
b) the voice
c) the way the then-and-now narrative was told
d) PARIS!!!!!
e) pretty good and unique ending???
things i did not like:
a) Eugene, human refuse extraordinaire (i'm just using synonyms for trash at this point)
i literally am deducting 1.5 stars solely for how much i hated Eugene. my emotions...so powerful.
but this was good as hell!!!
bottom line: if you like Romance; Paris; Poetry; Emotions; Being Emotional; Men Who Will Not Leave Women Alone In Spite Of The Very Polite And Clear Requests Of Those Women - read this. or you could be like me and not like any of those things but apparently have very poor reading comprehension when it comes to giveaway entries but it'll still end up okay.
thanks again to goodreads giveaways and the publisher (who also sent some DOPE stickers).
that's a long way of saying "i read this book in three nights, exclusively after midnight."
i am also an absolute IDIOT, because when i entered the giveaway for this book (thanks goodreads giveaways!) i did not notice it was poetry. i would not have entered if i knew it was poetry.
so it's a good thing i'm an unobservant buffoon i guess??? because i really (really, REALLY) loved the writing of this book. it was, like. my favorite part.
the non-favorite part is the stupid trash man male love interest who sucks and i hate. it is impossible for me to love this book, even though i may (super may) want to, because of Mr. Garbage Individual over here.
things i liked:
a) the female love interest (yay, Tatiana)
b) the voice
c) the way the then-and-now narrative was told
d) PARIS!!!!!
e) pretty good and unique ending???
things i did not like:
a) Eugene, human refuse extraordinaire (i'm just using synonyms for trash at this point)
i literally am deducting 1.5 stars solely for how much i hated Eugene. my emotions...so powerful.
but this was good as hell!!!
bottom line: if you like Romance; Paris; Poetry; Emotions; Being Emotional; Men Who Will Not Leave Women Alone In Spite Of The Very Polite And Clear Requests Of Those Women - read this. or you could be like me and not like any of those things but apparently have very poor reading comprehension when it comes to giveaway entries but it'll still end up okay.
thanks again to goodreads giveaways and the publisher (who also sent some DOPE stickers).
October 23, 2018
I started reading In Paris With You on 10/16/2018 and finished it on 10/22/2018. This is my first ever fiction poetry read and I love it! This love story makes me smile right from the beginning and keep me smiling until the end. One night I got woken up at 2AM and decided to read this book for 30 minutes. I ended up reading it for more than 3 hours! Instead of helping me to sleep, this story only makes me want to turn the pages more and more. This book definitely proves why I enjoy reading about the beginning of love so much: the yearning, the daydreaming, the lost of sleep, etc. It’s so cute to follow both Tatiana and Eugene’s thinking processes. The page layout is a bit different, but as I got the hang of why it’s spaced out like that, I enjoy reading it a lot more. I like that both characters get to experience having the feelings of anticipation for one another and then having their heart torn to pieces.
This book is told in the third person point of view following Eugene and Tatiana. They knew each other from ten years ago where she was 14 and he was 17. Now they run into each other on the train, Tatiana going to the library and Eugene going to his grandfather’s funeral. They exchange contact info while they notice the changes in each other that they didn’t see from ten years ago. As Eugene witnesses Tatiana’s professor falling head over heels for Tatiana, Eugene notices himself getting irritated by the second. He then thought back to how they first met when he was 17 to explain why she’s not in his life today. This book is written in a poetry format with words that rhymes. Each chapter is long but it covers a whole time period, whether today or 10 years ago, so readers won’t get confused. The narrator sometimes talks to readers.
In Paris With You is very well written and a book to make you smile! I love reading this book so much! I’m not a poetry reader but this book definitely convert me! Each point of view is so honest and real that it can be easily relatable to readers. Tatiana’s expectation of love comparable to her favorite reads of Romeo & Juliet and Pride and Prejudice had me giggle to no end. I like Eugene’s careful protection of his heart and Lansky loving it all without putting up fences to protect himself. I like the lessons learned the characters experiences. I like how love can make adults act like teens. This book is a couldn’t put down kind of read and I recommend everyone to read it.
Pro: fast paced, page turner, romance, humor, Paris, witty, couldn’t put down, mini cliffhangers,
Con: none
I rate it 5 stars!
***Disclaimer: I won a copy of In Paris With You from a Goodreads giveaway hosted by the publisher. Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
xoxo,
Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
This book is told in the third person point of view following Eugene and Tatiana. They knew each other from ten years ago where she was 14 and he was 17. Now they run into each other on the train, Tatiana going to the library and Eugene going to his grandfather’s funeral. They exchange contact info while they notice the changes in each other that they didn’t see from ten years ago. As Eugene witnesses Tatiana’s professor falling head over heels for Tatiana, Eugene notices himself getting irritated by the second. He then thought back to how they first met when he was 17 to explain why she’s not in his life today. This book is written in a poetry format with words that rhymes. Each chapter is long but it covers a whole time period, whether today or 10 years ago, so readers won’t get confused. The narrator sometimes talks to readers.
In Paris With You is very well written and a book to make you smile! I love reading this book so much! I’m not a poetry reader but this book definitely convert me! Each point of view is so honest and real that it can be easily relatable to readers. Tatiana’s expectation of love comparable to her favorite reads of Romeo & Juliet and Pride and Prejudice had me giggle to no end. I like Eugene’s careful protection of his heart and Lansky loving it all without putting up fences to protect himself. I like the lessons learned the characters experiences. I like how love can make adults act like teens. This book is a couldn’t put down kind of read and I recommend everyone to read it.
Pro: fast paced, page turner, romance, humor, Paris, witty, couldn’t put down, mini cliffhangers,
Con: none
I rate it 5 stars!
***Disclaimer: I won a copy of In Paris With You from a Goodreads giveaway hosted by the publisher. Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
xoxo,
Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
January 10, 2019
An elegant story of first love, second chances, and heartbreak!
This story was told in verse, it took a wild to get used to the style, but once I did I was completely entranced... The book was also translated from French, I can only imagine how difficult it was to translate such a stylized book, so major props to the translator! As much as I enjoyed this story, I do recognize that the style is not for everybody.... but told in verse or not this was a lovely love story set in the city of love, Paris...
This is the story of Tatiana and Eugene, who first fell in love as teenagers.... first love, the heart is a pitter pattering the butterflies are fluttering, and you can’t seem to wipe that silly grin off your face.... but as in the case of most first love Tatiana and Eugene did not last.... then years later a chance encounter and the sparks are rekindled.... but life is complicated and love is messy, even in Paris...
Such a sweet satisfying story of love and loss... both Tatiana and Eugene were likable and a little quirky.... The story really transported you to Paris, you could see the sights, hear the sounds, and smell the scents of the city... a cleverly told love story... I’m not sure I could read every book in verse, but it was nice for a little change of pace...
If you love amour and Beautiful settings this one’s for you! Recommended!
*** merci beaucoup to St. Martin’s Press for my copy of this book ***
This story was told in verse, it took a wild to get used to the style, but once I did I was completely entranced... The book was also translated from French, I can only imagine how difficult it was to translate such a stylized book, so major props to the translator! As much as I enjoyed this story, I do recognize that the style is not for everybody.... but told in verse or not this was a lovely love story set in the city of love, Paris...
This is the story of Tatiana and Eugene, who first fell in love as teenagers.... first love, the heart is a pitter pattering the butterflies are fluttering, and you can’t seem to wipe that silly grin off your face.... but as in the case of most first love Tatiana and Eugene did not last.... then years later a chance encounter and the sparks are rekindled.... but life is complicated and love is messy, even in Paris...
Such a sweet satisfying story of love and loss... both Tatiana and Eugene were likable and a little quirky.... The story really transported you to Paris, you could see the sights, hear the sounds, and smell the scents of the city... a cleverly told love story... I’m not sure I could read every book in verse, but it was nice for a little change of pace...
If you love amour and Beautiful settings this one’s for you! Recommended!
*** merci beaucoup to St. Martin’s Press for my copy of this book ***
November 1, 2018
thank you to netgalley for providing me with an e-arc, all opinions are my own
ehhhhh, i'm not entirely sure how i feel about this.
on one hand, its an interesting story ft. 'the-love-that-got-away' slash 'second-chance-romance' and hear me out, i sorta, kinda love and adore both those tropes but all i'm feeling right now is :/
Pros
- the cover is so adorable, its was the main reason why i was even interested in the book
- the writing is funny and engaging to the reader
- the meetings between the characters when they were younger were really cute
- the ending was v realistic
Cons
- uhhhhh from the very beginning, the mc tatiana goes around telling people on the bus that she's "pregnant" and that her baby has "Down Syndrome" JUST SO SHE CAN GET A FREE SEAT (SHES NOT PREGNANT, SHES NOT EVEN A MOTHER)
- like i know standing in public transit isn't a fun experience but i just found this 'joke' about having a disabled child to be really tasteless :///////
- the writing in verse was tiring to keep up with im soz
- Eugene was a mess and not the good kind
- they talk about their //passionate// feelings for each other in such a deep, consuming way,,,,,the only thing ive ever been that passionate about was a chocolate brownie
- i wasn't invested in the 'present' i enjoyed their past well enough (even when eugene was being insufferable) but the present was just lackluster for me
i had so many hopes and im sad
2 stars
ehhhhh, i'm not entirely sure how i feel about this.
on one hand, its an interesting story ft. 'the-love-that-got-away' slash 'second-chance-romance' and hear me out, i sorta, kinda love and adore both those tropes but all i'm feeling right now is :/
Pros
- the cover is so adorable, its was the main reason why i was even interested in the book
- the writing is funny and engaging to the reader
- the meetings between the characters when they were younger were really cute
- the ending was v realistic
Cons
- uhhhhh from the very beginning, the mc tatiana goes around telling people on the bus that she's "pregnant" and that her baby has "Down Syndrome" JUST SO SHE CAN GET A FREE SEAT (SHES NOT PREGNANT, SHES NOT EVEN A MOTHER)
- like i know standing in public transit isn't a fun experience but i just found this 'joke' about having a disabled child to be really tasteless :///////
- the writing in verse was tiring to keep up with im soz
- Eugene was a mess and not the good kind
- they talk about their //passionate// feelings for each other in such a deep, consuming way,,,,,the only thing ive ever been that passionate about was a chocolate brownie
- i wasn't invested in the 'present' i enjoyed their past well enough (even when eugene was being insufferable) but the present was just lackluster for me
i had so many hopes and im sad
2 stars
July 14, 2016
Chez Sarbacane,
les ados,
on les prend pas pour des
idiots.
Je le savais,
je suis un habitué,
mais dans le cas de Mlle Beauvais,
putain, ça m'a soufflé.
En ouvrant ce bouquin j'étais
impatient
apeuré
sautillant
presque déjà emballé.
(Et c'est ici que les rimes s'arrêteront, car la maladie m'empêche de réfléchir sur une trop longue période. Merci pour votre compréhension.)
Cette histoire c'est
Un danger
Comme un
Secret
Que l'on se passe dans le silence d'une chambre.
Vous savez
Le genre de livre que l'on prête en pensant
"Si cette personne l'aime pas, je vais être super triste, et cette personne, je l'aimerai peut-être
Un peu moins."
Ce roman c'est
Paris
Être ado à l'époque d'MSN
C'est
Se sentir soudain épris d'un amour tellement puissant pour le petit stylo qui bouge sur Skype.
Songe à la Douceur
m'a fait
vibrer des pieds
à la tête
j'avais des guêpes
partout dans le corps.
Mais des guêpes gentilles
qui piquent et qui diffusent
mélancolie
souvenirs
griffures
et qui font revivre
l'ado en moi.
Chère Clémentine Beauvais,
merci et bravo
pour
la grâce
l'humour
le défi
l'ingéniosité
le talent
la plume
le danger
la morsure.
P.S :
la dernière phrase
du roman
m'a fait penser
au
"on avait rompu"
de Ross et Rachel
et c'est exceptionnel.
les ados,
on les prend pas pour des
idiots.
Je le savais,
je suis un habitué,
mais dans le cas de Mlle Beauvais,
putain, ça m'a soufflé.
En ouvrant ce bouquin j'étais
impatient
apeuré
sautillant
presque déjà emballé.
(Et c'est ici que les rimes s'arrêteront, car la maladie m'empêche de réfléchir sur une trop longue période. Merci pour votre compréhension.)
Cette histoire c'est
Un danger
Comme un
Secret
Que l'on se passe dans le silence d'une chambre.
Vous savez
Le genre de livre que l'on prête en pensant
"Si cette personne l'aime pas, je vais être super triste, et cette personne, je l'aimerai peut-être
Un peu moins."
Ce roman c'est
Paris
Être ado à l'époque d'MSN
C'est
Se sentir soudain épris d'un amour tellement puissant pour le petit stylo qui bouge sur Skype.
Songe à la Douceur
m'a fait
vibrer des pieds
à la tête
j'avais des guêpes
partout dans le corps.
Mais des guêpes gentilles
qui piquent et qui diffusent
mélancolie
souvenirs
griffures
et qui font revivre
l'ado en moi.
Chère Clémentine Beauvais,
merci et bravo
pour
la grâce
l'humour
le défi
l'ingéniosité
le talent
la plume
le danger
la morsure.
P.S :
la dernière phrase
du roman
m'a fait penser
au
"on avait rompu"
de Ross et Rachel
et c'est exceptionnel.
May 26, 2020
3.5 stars
This book is different from any other book I ever read.
The format of how this novel is written is just gorgeous. I've never seen a book written like this, it felt to me like an entire new reading experience. And I'm not surprised that it was such a success in France, the author's home country.
The one comparison I have is the song Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. If you ever listened to the song you realize that the lyrics and melody are comprised out of many different blocks of different ideas and melodies. That's exactly how the format for In Paris With You looks like. It's a feast for the eyes!! And a true reading experience.
Now, because it has such an unique style, the reading per se wasn't as easy for me, because firstly it's written in verse, but also because the format changes all the time. And the only conclusion I have is that this book needs to be enjoyed without being rushed. It's a visual treat and needs to be treated as such.
If you love poetry. If you love something unique. lIf you enjoy reading in verses. This book is for you!!
Because I'm not really someone that enjoys poetry as much as others, just look at the success of Milk and Honey, reading In Paris With You would have not been my preferred reading material. Nevertheless I like reading outside of my comfort zone, and ended up really enjoying the authors' ingenuity. The book made me smile and chuckle, thanks to a translation that was modern, hip and delightfully enchanting. But as much as I adored the concept, it didn't give me the same feel a regular formatted romance would have. Nevertheless I'm incredibly glad that I was able to read this book - like I mentioned above, it was a most unique experience.
Now about the plot:
Even though the book starts in the present, a good half of the book occurs 10 years before. The novel is all about first teenage love and speaks to everyone who has ever been in love. Ten years later Eugene and Tatiana meet again, and suddenly Eugene understands what he lost so many years ago and what might slip again through his fingers if he doesn't grip this second chance with both hands.
Because sometimes life is all about taking opportunities without overthinking them too much.
In other words - Better To Try And Fail Than Never To Try At All - by William F. O'Brien.
ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.
___________________________________
Find more reviews and book recommendations on my blog.
Find me on Bookstagram.
This book is different from any other book I ever read.
The format of how this novel is written is just gorgeous. I've never seen a book written like this, it felt to me like an entire new reading experience. And I'm not surprised that it was such a success in France, the author's home country.
The one comparison I have is the song Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. If you ever listened to the song you realize that the lyrics and melody are comprised out of many different blocks of different ideas and melodies. That's exactly how the format for In Paris With You looks like. It's a feast for the eyes!! And a true reading experience.
Now, because it has such an unique style, the reading per se wasn't as easy for me, because firstly it's written in verse, but also because the format changes all the time. And the only conclusion I have is that this book needs to be enjoyed without being rushed. It's a visual treat and needs to be treated as such.
If you love poetry. If you love something unique. lIf you enjoy reading in verses. This book is for you!!
Because I'm not really someone that enjoys poetry as much as others, just look at the success of Milk and Honey, reading In Paris With You would have not been my preferred reading material. Nevertheless I like reading outside of my comfort zone, and ended up really enjoying the authors' ingenuity. The book made me smile and chuckle, thanks to a translation that was modern, hip and delightfully enchanting. But as much as I adored the concept, it didn't give me the same feel a regular formatted romance would have. Nevertheless I'm incredibly glad that I was able to read this book - like I mentioned above, it was a most unique experience.
Now about the plot:
Even though the book starts in the present, a good half of the book occurs 10 years before. The novel is all about first teenage love and speaks to everyone who has ever been in love. Ten years later Eugene and Tatiana meet again, and suddenly Eugene understands what he lost so many years ago and what might slip again through his fingers if he doesn't grip this second chance with both hands.
Because sometimes life is all about taking opportunities without overthinking them too much.
In other words - Better To Try And Fail Than Never To Try At All - by William F. O'Brien.
ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.
___________________________________
Find more reviews and book recommendations on my blog.
Find me on Bookstagram.
May 8, 2021
Un ravissement absolu.
merveille. coup de génie.
Ce livre est le récit de ces instants adolescents qui précèdent l’amour physique: ces immenses et longues et terribles minutes au creux desquelles on attend désespérément l’être aimé, et où l’on rêve son corps, sa peau, son odeur.
Des pages entières sur l’absence et sa cruauté inspirante. Divin!
La langue de Clémentine Beauvais est tellement solaire, c’est un bonheur de lire et relire certains passages.
La forme poétique de ce roman en vers est d’une fluidité insoupçonnée: on chavire et on glisse, on se laisse embarquer avec un plaisir étourdissant, sans aucun inconfort.
Quel rythme, quelle élégance, quelle force!
J’ai envie de l’offrir à absolument tous ceux que j’aime!
Conseil : Lire tout Clémentine Beauvais
(même lorsqu’on n’est plus ado depuis bien longtemps)
merveille. coup de génie.
Ce livre est le récit de ces instants adolescents qui précèdent l’amour physique: ces immenses et longues et terribles minutes au creux desquelles on attend désespérément l’être aimé, et où l’on rêve son corps, sa peau, son odeur.
Des pages entières sur l’absence et sa cruauté inspirante. Divin!
La langue de Clémentine Beauvais est tellement solaire, c’est un bonheur de lire et relire certains passages.
La forme poétique de ce roman en vers est d’une fluidité insoupçonnée: on chavire et on glisse, on se laisse embarquer avec un plaisir étourdissant, sans aucun inconfort.
Quel rythme, quelle élégance, quelle force!
J’ai envie de l’offrir à absolument tous ceux que j’aime!
Conseil : Lire tout Clémentine Beauvais
(même lorsqu’on n’est plus ado depuis bien longtemps)
August 8, 2018
I'm shook? I don't really know what happened, I'm a mess of feelings right now. Did I like it? Did I dislike it? Do I want to scream? All of these? I'm in pain.
I need to say that this book wasn't perfect. Not at all. Sometimes I couldn't connect with the characters or what they were feeling, but there were moments that made me smile, laugh and tear up a little. It's hard to put words on how I feel about this book, I guess the easiest way to describe it is to say that it's a beautiful mess?
Some people will love the ending, some will hate it, and some will be utterly confused. I was utterly confused. Confused because I could't — and still don't — understand why someone would spend an entire book developing these people's feelings to end that way. But in a way I also understand? Because this book is realistic in its end. It's not one most people would like to read about, but it's real, and it leaves room to the unknown.
4.25
I need to say that this book wasn't perfect. Not at all. Sometimes I couldn't connect with the characters or what they were feeling, but there were moments that made me smile, laugh and tear up a little. It's hard to put words on how I feel about this book, I guess the easiest way to describe it is to say that it's a beautiful mess?
Some people will love the ending, some will hate it, and some will be utterly confused. I was utterly confused. Confused because I could't — and still don't — understand why someone would spend an entire book developing these people's feelings to end that way. But in a way I also understand? Because this book is realistic in its end. It's not one most people would like to read about, but it's real, and it leaves room to the unknown.
4.25
January 10, 2019
Thank you St. Martin's Press / Wednesday Books for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.
I started this yesterday and it's definitely a quick read since it's written in verse. I couldn't appreciate this book because the format was messy. I'm not sure what the final copy looks like and I bet it's better. Unfortunately, I'm giving this one star because I was bothered by Tatiana. When she lied about her pregnancy and told her "baby" has Down Syndrome so she can have a free seat in public transportation, it was a killer for me. You don't use disability as an excuse to get privileges you aren't entitled to. That was trashy and insensitive.
Don't get me started on suicide. I was livid. It was dealt horribly. No matter how cute Eugene and Tatiana's story is, they're both insensitive craps. FYI, this isn't a YA novel because the characters are twenty plus years old. I don't recommend this poetry collection.
I started this yesterday and it's definitely a quick read since it's written in verse. I couldn't appreciate this book because the format was messy. I'm not sure what the final copy looks like and I bet it's better. Unfortunately, I'm giving this one star because I was bothered by Tatiana. When she lied about her pregnancy and told her "baby" has Down Syndrome so she can have a free seat in public transportation, it was a killer for me. You don't use disability as an excuse to get privileges you aren't entitled to. That was trashy and insensitive.
Don't get me started on suicide. I was livid. It was dealt horribly. No matter how cute Eugene and Tatiana's story is, they're both insensitive craps. FYI, this isn't a YA novel because the characters are twenty plus years old. I don't recommend this poetry collection.
May 25, 2024
2024 reread: 5 years later and still one of the best love stories I’ve ever read <3
Tonight, those thoughts of hers are the living truth. And, for a thought, to be true once, even for just one night, is already quite a feat.
You can't make love standing up when you're in love — that's obvious: being in love unsettles you internally; when someone steals your heart, they also steal your center of gravity.
this reminded me of how it felt to fall in love with a book. i loved every single moment and word of it. that’s all.
At night, if/when he finally fell asleep,
this sadness would be lying in wait for him at his bedside,
and it was the first thing he saw when he opened his eyes.
Still there, I see.
Good morning, pain.
This is how it all begins:
This urgent lust for crushing beautiful things.
From that point on, you know it won't end well.
Tonight, those thoughts of hers are the living truth. And, for a thought, to be true once, even for just one night, is already quite a feat.
You can't make love standing up when you're in love — that's obvious: being in love unsettles you internally; when someone steals your heart, they also steal your center of gravity.
this reminded me of how it felt to fall in love with a book. i loved every single moment and word of it. that’s all.
At night, if/when he finally fell asleep,
this sadness would be lying in wait for him at his bedside,
and it was the first thing he saw when he opened his eyes.
Still there, I see.
Good morning, pain.
This is how it all begins:
This urgent lust for crushing beautiful things.
From that point on, you know it won't end well.
October 2, 2018
🍪🍪🍪
3 Cookies
my blog
I received this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Agh! This book was the sweetest!
Story:
This story was actually in verses? So it was like a poem. Usually I don't usually go for these types of books so this was a pleasant surprise! I actually enjoyed the writing. It was organized and wasn't confusing. However, I felt sometimes the love thing went a little overboard. It was just a little much for me.
Characters:
My favorite character by a mile is Tatiana! She's raw and her personality is great in this book. However, the love interest Eugene is kind of a jerk. He's not interesting, he's just boring and rude.
Relationships:
Usually in a romance you think you would like the actual relationship. Actually I didn't. Eugene is the worst character ever. He's not fun he's just so bleh it makes me sad.
Final Thoughts:
The book had a really good storyline. The love was really intense. Sometimes too much at times, however most of the time it was cute and reminds people of how awkward and intense first loves can be.
3 Cookies
my blog
I received this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Agh! This book was the sweetest!
Story:
This story was actually in verses? So it was like a poem. Usually I don't usually go for these types of books so this was a pleasant surprise! I actually enjoyed the writing. It was organized and wasn't confusing. However, I felt sometimes the love thing went a little overboard. It was just a little much for me.
Characters:
My favorite character by a mile is Tatiana! She's raw and her personality is great in this book. However, the love interest Eugene is kind of a jerk. He's not interesting, he's just boring and rude.
Relationships:
Usually in a romance you think you would like the actual relationship. Actually I didn't. Eugene is the worst character ever. He's not fun he's just so bleh it makes me sad.
Final Thoughts:
The book had a really good storyline. The love was really intense. Sometimes too much at times, however most of the time it was cute and reminds people of how awkward and intense first loves can be.
October 23, 2019
J'ai adoré la forme et quelques messages de l'histoire, mais j'ai eu du mal avec Eugène et toute une partie du "passé" de l'histoire que j'ai trouvée inutile au récit.
Je mets quand même 4 étoiles car ça a été un délice de lire une lecture rythmée par la disposition et la poésie de ses phrases, en prenant parfois le temps de souffler pile quand il le fallait.
Je mets quand même 4 étoiles car ça a été un délice de lire une lecture rythmée par la disposition et la poésie de ses phrases, en prenant parfois le temps de souffler pile quand il le fallait.
October 10, 2018
This was not the book for me... I really do not like the poetry writing style. It's hard to follow a story in that kind of format. And I'm still confused about who the narrator is? And if they're just the narrator, why did they have a "scene" with Eugene?
This is not a cute and fluffy love story... And it doesn't read like YA (not even sure why it categorized as YA). Eugene is basically the worst and deserves to be alone. To advertise this book as something for fans of Eleanor and Park is ridiculous.
This is not a cute and fluffy love story... And it doesn't read like YA (not even sure why it categorized as YA). Eugene is basically the worst and deserves to be alone. To advertise this book as something for fans of Eleanor and Park is ridiculous.
August 5, 2017
Énorme coup de cœur, sûrement le premier de cette année.
Je l'avais emprunté un peu par hasard, j'avais vu quelques bons avis, et puis je m'étais rendu compte qu'il s'agissait d'un roman en vers. N'étant pas sure de l'apprécier, je l'avais donc mit un peu de côté.
Je l'ai tout de même intégré à ma Pàl pour cette été, et c'est avec un peu d'à priori que je me suis lancée... et finalement, La grosse surprise.
Page après page, mot après mot, je suis tombée amoureuse. De l'histoire, des personnages, du rythme, des rimes, de tout.
"Songe à La douceur" m'a ému aux larmes, il m'a prit aux tripes. Je pense que j'ai lu au bon moment, et c'est pour ça qu'il m'a autant touché car il a fait écho à ce que je pouvais vivre et ressentir en ce moment. Clémentine Beauvais a réussi à jouer avec les mots, de simple mots qui pourtant mit tous ensemble sont si beaux. L'idée du roman en vers lui donne un rythme, c'est musical, poétique, parfois ça nous coupe le souffle (littéralement), on n'arrive plus à s'arrêter de lire cette cascade de mots.
J'ai essayé de prendre mon temps, pour l'apprécier d'autant plus et ne pas le lire d'une traite, même si j'avais besoin de faire des pauses (certains chapitres comme je le disais plus haut étaient à couper le souffle).
Et puis, j'avais oublié à quel point la poésie pouvait me toucher, et surtout m'inspirer. J'ai toujours été fascinée et émerveillée par la sonorité des mots et la facilité parfois de les assembler pour leur donner cette musicalité si propre à la poésie et à l'écriture en vers.
Il y a ces livres qu'on lit au bon endroit, au bon moment, et Songe à la douceur en fait partie. Je ne sais pas si je l'aurais autant apprécié il y a deux mois, mais je ne pense pas. Je ne sais pas si je l'aimerais autant dans 6 mois, en tout cas je n'ai qu'une envie me replonger dedans, et retomber amoureuse de cette histoire d'amour en vers ♡
(Même si pour certains, c'est sur, "on s'ennuierait ensemble").
Je l'avais emprunté un peu par hasard, j'avais vu quelques bons avis, et puis je m'étais rendu compte qu'il s'agissait d'un roman en vers. N'étant pas sure de l'apprécier, je l'avais donc mit un peu de côté.
Je l'ai tout de même intégré à ma Pàl pour cette été, et c'est avec un peu d'à priori que je me suis lancée... et finalement, La grosse surprise.
Page après page, mot après mot, je suis tombée amoureuse. De l'histoire, des personnages, du rythme, des rimes, de tout.
"Songe à La douceur" m'a ému aux larmes, il m'a prit aux tripes. Je pense que j'ai lu au bon moment, et c'est pour ça qu'il m'a autant touché car il a fait écho à ce que je pouvais vivre et ressentir en ce moment. Clémentine Beauvais a réussi à jouer avec les mots, de simple mots qui pourtant mit tous ensemble sont si beaux. L'idée du roman en vers lui donne un rythme, c'est musical, poétique, parfois ça nous coupe le souffle (littéralement), on n'arrive plus à s'arrêter de lire cette cascade de mots.
J'ai essayé de prendre mon temps, pour l'apprécier d'autant plus et ne pas le lire d'une traite, même si j'avais besoin de faire des pauses (certains chapitres comme je le disais plus haut étaient à couper le souffle).
Et puis, j'avais oublié à quel point la poésie pouvait me toucher, et surtout m'inspirer. J'ai toujours été fascinée et émerveillée par la sonorité des mots et la facilité parfois de les assembler pour leur donner cette musicalité si propre à la poésie et à l'écriture en vers.
Il y a ces livres qu'on lit au bon endroit, au bon moment, et Songe à la douceur en fait partie. Je ne sais pas si je l'aurais autant apprécié il y a deux mois, mais je ne pense pas. Je ne sais pas si je l'aimerais autant dans 6 mois, en tout cas je n'ai qu'une envie me replonger dedans, et retomber amoureuse de cette histoire d'amour en vers ♡
(Même si pour certains, c'est sur, "on s'ennuierait ensemble").
January 4, 2019
I gave this a two, but that is personal preference motivated. I am definitely not a fan of reading a complete story in verse. There are times when I had to reread a page several times because I just couldn't focus. I found it exhausting to read and it was tough to get through.
With that said, if someone enjoys reading a story in verse and they enjoy romance, I think they will probably enjoy this story. It wasn't a bad story and the characters were okay. Although, I was not very attached to them. That could again be from my disdain at reading in verse. I just never really felt a connection to any of the characters.
The story took you from the characters during their teenage years to the current time with the characters. The love story wasn't too far fetched, but I really didn't care for the ending too much. I like my romances to have a happy ending and this one was just, eh.. whatever, for me.
So, in retrospect, I need to not read any books in verse. That definitely is not for me. Overall, the story isn't bad though and someone may love it.
With that said, if someone enjoys reading a story in verse and they enjoy romance, I think they will probably enjoy this story. It wasn't a bad story and the characters were okay. Although, I was not very attached to them. That could again be from my disdain at reading in verse. I just never really felt a connection to any of the characters.
The story took you from the characters during their teenage years to the current time with the characters. The love story wasn't too far fetched, but I really didn't care for the ending too much. I like my romances to have a happy ending and this one was just, eh.. whatever, for me.
So, in retrospect, I need to not read any books in verse. That definitely is not for me. Overall, the story isn't bad though and someone may love it.
April 9, 2018
(3.5) I don’t know the source material Beauvais was working with (Eugene Onegin, 1837), but still enjoyed this YA romance in verse. I was, however, reminded a bit of the setup and characters of
Fathers and Sons
by Ivan Turgenev. I’m in awe at how translator Sam Taylor has taken the French of her Songe à la douceur and turned it into English poetry with the occasional rhyme. Eugene and Tatiana meet by chance in Paris in 2016 and the attraction between them is as strong as ever, but a possible relationship is threatened by memories of a tragic event from 10 years ago involving Lensky, Eugene’s friend and the boyfriend of Tatiana’s older sister Olga. This is a sweet book that would appeal to John Green’s readers, but it’s more sexually explicit than a lot of American YA, so is probably only suitable for older teens. (Out on June 7th. Free proof copy from Faber Spring Party haul.)
[Funnily enough, this is not the only book out this year that was inspired by Eugene Onegin: see also Philip Hensher’s The Friendly Ones.]
Favorite lines:
[Funnily enough, this is not the only book out this year that was inspired by Eugene Onegin: see also Philip Hensher’s The Friendly Ones.]
Favorite lines:
“where the present caresses, now, / the past will later pinch.”
“Her heart takes the lift / up to her larynx, / where it gets stuck / hammering against the walls of her neck.”
“an adult with a miniature attention span, / like everyone else, refreshing, updating, / nibbling at time like a ham baguette.”
“helium balloons in the shape of spermatozoa straining towards the dark sky.”
“a duel between / our two adolescent philosophies: / Lensky’s idealism, Eugene’s nihilism.”
December 14, 2018
The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
First of all let me just say that I really liked the writing style, it was unique and very enjoyable. The story was very cute and I liked it very much. Tatiana and Eugene, our two main characters, meet two times in their lifetimes, once when they're teens and another one when they both are in their twenties. Could the second time be the right one? That's basically what this book tried to discover in such a unique way, also by using a narrator voice which was very funny and perfectly captured the thoughts of the readers. I much preferred the sections set in their twenties because I felt the characters a little bit closer to me. The ending was a surprise but I must say it was a nice surprise. I think in some weird way it did make total sense and in the end I'm happy how the story turned out.
I highly recommend it!
First of all let me just say that I really liked the writing style, it was unique and very enjoyable. The story was very cute and I liked it very much. Tatiana and Eugene, our two main characters, meet two times in their lifetimes, once when they're teens and another one when they both are in their twenties. Could the second time be the right one? That's basically what this book tried to discover in such a unique way, also by using a narrator voice which was very funny and perfectly captured the thoughts of the readers. I much preferred the sections set in their twenties because I felt the characters a little bit closer to me. The ending was a surprise but I must say it was a nice surprise. I think in some weird way it did make total sense and in the end I'm happy how the story turned out.
I highly recommend it!
March 20, 2024
I have not had a book make me angry like this in a long long time.
With that said this is not going to be a nice review.
Eugene is (pardon my language) a huge piece of shit who deserve to be alone. Most of the characters are awful, the writing tried way too hard to be poetic and "moving" but it ended up being a jumbled mess that hardly made any sense at all. I really don't know why this was marked as a Young adult book when all Eugene could think about was sex 24/7.
I just cannot recommend this to anyone tbh
!!!!!!!!!!TRIGGERS!!!!!!!!!!!
so do with that what you will I am going to never think about this book again in my life.
With that said this is not going to be a nice review.
Eugene is (pardon my language) a huge piece of shit who deserve to be alone. Most of the characters are awful, the writing tried way too hard to be poetic and "moving" but it ended up being a jumbled mess that hardly made any sense at all. I really don't know why this was marked as a Young adult book when all Eugene could think about was sex 24/7.
I just cannot recommend this to anyone tbh
!!!!!!!!!!TRIGGERS!!!!!!!!!!!
so do with that what you will I am going to never think about this book again in my life.
July 9, 2018
Il arrive parfois qu'un livre acclamé par la critique nous donne des attentes... et qu'elles ne soient pas comblées.
J'avais beaucoup entendu parler des ouvrages de Clémentine Beauvais, notamment depuis "Les Petites Reines". "Songe à la douceur" est le premier que je lis (si l'on exclut "Inséparables" de Sarah Crossan qu'elle avait traduit, et que j'avais beaucoup aimé).
Je ne m'attendais pas du tout à ce genre d'histoire. Les vers libres ne m'ont pas dérangée. Ils ont même donné un rythme intéressant à cette histoire qui ne m'a malheureusement pas du tout passionnée.
C'est la vie, et les aléas du lecteur : parfois on aime, parfois moins.
Ma chronique : http://unjour-unlivre.fr/2018/07/song...
J'avais beaucoup entendu parler des ouvrages de Clémentine Beauvais, notamment depuis "Les Petites Reines". "Songe à la douceur" est le premier que je lis (si l'on exclut "Inséparables" de Sarah Crossan qu'elle avait traduit, et que j'avais beaucoup aimé).
Je ne m'attendais pas du tout à ce genre d'histoire. Les vers libres ne m'ont pas dérangée. Ils ont même donné un rythme intéressant à cette histoire qui ne m'a malheureusement pas du tout passionnée.
C'est la vie, et les aléas du lecteur : parfois on aime, parfois moins.
Ma chronique : http://unjour-unlivre.fr/2018/07/song...
December 10, 2018
Eugene Onegin was one of the rare books I read in high school without skipping pages or passages and liked in the end. And while I'm not big on retellings, I decided to give this one a chance because the synopsis just got to me.
This book is an easy read and a fairly entertaining one. It started off so well, light, playful tone in the writing whose silliness made it hard to put this book down. But then it brings up an unexpected storyline which simply doesn't go with the tone that the book is written in. The biggest influence this storyline has on the rest of the events in the book is that it makes the characters suddenly unlikeable, it simply puts one off reading the rest. Tatiana, a fourteen-year-old at the time of , brings up the event with ease as if it's unfinished business between her and Eugene and shows no compassion for him . Eugene on the other hand, who was seventeen when it happened, shows an unbelievable amount of coldness about it - no emotion whatsoever. The actual thing that stands between them, , is taken as the more serious matter at hand. Tatiana takes it so seriously, forgetting that they were both teenagers when it took place and she just doesn't let it go, which makes me wonder about whether or not any maturing took place on her part in the ten years since this happened. Surprisingly, and despite his ongoing numbness (which I suppose is due to the symptoms of depression he shows quite a bit of throughout the read), Eugene is the one who's developed and matured over the years.
And I almost let all of this slide. Cause I love Eugene Onegin and novels written in verse are always a hit for me. But then the book ended, without really ending. The romance threads intertwined throughout this book don't get tied into a decent knot at the end, rather a really loose one that left me wishing that there's fanfiction out there that's gonna tighten it up. But that part, I just couldn't let go of.
And so, much like the book itself, this review ends without a decent conclusion.
*Copy received through NetGalley
*Actual rating: 3.5/5 stars
This book is an easy read and a fairly entertaining one. It started off so well, light, playful tone in the writing whose silliness made it hard to put this book down. But then it brings up an unexpected storyline which simply doesn't go with the tone that the book is written in. The biggest influence this storyline has on the rest of the events in the book is that it makes the characters suddenly unlikeable, it simply puts one off reading the rest. Tatiana, a fourteen-year-old at the time of , brings up the event with ease as if it's unfinished business between her and Eugene and shows no compassion for him . Eugene on the other hand, who was seventeen when it happened, shows an unbelievable amount of coldness about it - no emotion whatsoever. The actual thing that stands between them, , is taken as the more serious matter at hand. Tatiana takes it so seriously, forgetting that they were both teenagers when it took place and she just doesn't let it go, which makes me wonder about whether or not any maturing took place on her part in the ten years since this happened. Surprisingly, and despite his ongoing numbness (which I suppose is due to the symptoms of depression he shows quite a bit of throughout the read), Eugene is the one who's developed and matured over the years.
And I almost let all of this slide. Cause I love Eugene Onegin and novels written in verse are always a hit for me. But then the book ended, without really ending. The romance threads intertwined throughout this book don't get tied into a decent knot at the end, rather a really loose one that left me wishing that there's fanfiction out there that's gonna tighten it up. But that part, I just couldn't let go of.
And so, much like the book itself, this review ends without a decent conclusion.
*Copy received through NetGalley
*Actual rating: 3.5/5 stars
December 14, 2016
Si le début a bien commencé, que le style de narration passait bien, rapidement j'ai fini par décrocher. Le roman ne fait que 239 pages, mais j'ai eu du mal à le terminer à cause d'un manque d'envie surtout, mais aussi à cause d'un détachement prononcé pour ce que je lisais. Je reconnais que la narration est originale, ça sort le lecteur de ses habitudes, mais je n'ai pas trouvé que ça servait l'histoire d'une quelconque façon. Je n'ai pas éprouvé de sentiments quelconques et globalement je n'ai pas été sensible aux événements racontés. Je n'ai pas adhéré aux personnages, surtout pas à Eugène qui m'a paru franchement inconstant. La romance évoquée ne m'a pas paru belle du tout, elle ne m'a pas fait rêver. Le point de départ était accrocheur, mais quand plus loin on apprend certaines choses, j'ai eu un tout autre sentiment.
Au-delà du fait d'être sensible ou non à la narration présente, en retirant ce paramètre de l'équation, ce que l'auteur raconte ne m'a pas attiré. Pour moi je n'ai pas vraiment suivi une histoire profonde, les événements sont rapides, les émotions et sentiments des personnages sont à peine esquissés, sans oublier leur personnalité même. L'ensemble est trop court. Effectivement peut-être qu'en étant plus sensible à ce genre de narration, j'aurais eu un tout autre avis, même en prenant en compte les défauts cités. A vous de voir si ce roman peut vous convenir, tout dépendra de votre position pour les textes poétiques.
Ma chronique complète : http://bloggalleane.blogspot.fr/2016/...
Au-delà du fait d'être sensible ou non à la narration présente, en retirant ce paramètre de l'équation, ce que l'auteur raconte ne m'a pas attiré. Pour moi je n'ai pas vraiment suivi une histoire profonde, les événements sont rapides, les émotions et sentiments des personnages sont à peine esquissés, sans oublier leur personnalité même. L'ensemble est trop court. Effectivement peut-être qu'en étant plus sensible à ce genre de narration, j'aurais eu un tout autre avis, même en prenant en compte les défauts cités. A vous de voir si ce roman peut vous convenir, tout dépendra de votre position pour les textes poétiques.
Ma chronique complète : http://bloggalleane.blogspot.fr/2016/...
April 1, 2019
2.5 stars
I was excited to read this book because of the blurb and the format (a story about lost love and having second chances).
I really liked how the story was told in different time frames and we get to see how the characters evolved. The characters are what make or break a book for me and unfortunately, I wasn't very fond of the characters in this book. Tatiana pretends to be a preganant woman every day just so she can have a seat on the train on her way to work, her sister Olga comes off as a selfish person, and her love interest, Eugene, is basically a jerk. The only interesting character for me was Lensky, but his story wasn't handled very well.
This could've been a great book if not for the problematic issues (bad handling of suicide, fatphobia, and slut-shaming). The redeeming aspects of this book were the setting, format, and ending. The premise was good but sadly, it didn't turn out quite as great as I've expected. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for giving me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
"The pain's not worse after ten years. It doesn't necessarily increase with time. It's not an investment, you know, regret. Lost love doesn't have to be a tragedy."
"Ah, but I've seen the same things you're seeing now, I've seen it all and I expect that I'll see it again someday. Because those love goggles that you're wearing, those universe-altering specs, those glasses that make you feel so daring, I've worn them before, and I daresay that I'll wear them again someday."
Soundtrack: Heartbeat by JJAMZ
I was excited to read this book because of the blurb and the format (a story about lost love and having second chances).
I really liked how the story was told in different time frames and we get to see how the characters evolved. The characters are what make or break a book for me and unfortunately, I wasn't very fond of the characters in this book. Tatiana pretends to be a preganant woman every day just so she can have a seat on the train on her way to work, her sister Olga comes off as a selfish person, and her love interest, Eugene, is basically a jerk. The only interesting character for me was Lensky, but his story wasn't handled very well.
This could've been a great book if not for the problematic issues (bad handling of suicide, fatphobia, and slut-shaming). The redeeming aspects of this book were the setting, format, and ending. The premise was good but sadly, it didn't turn out quite as great as I've expected. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for giving me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
"The pain's not worse after ten years. It doesn't necessarily increase with time. It's not an investment, you know, regret. Lost love doesn't have to be a tragedy."
"Ah, but I've seen the same things you're seeing now, I've seen it all and I expect that I'll see it again someday. Because those love goggles that you're wearing, those universe-altering specs, those glasses that make you feel so daring, I've worn them before, and I daresay that I'll wear them again someday."
Soundtrack: Heartbeat by JJAMZ
March 24, 2024
If facial expressions could count as reviews, this book would earn itself a very firm eye roll and gagging noise. But since you can't see my face, I'm going to try to put into words the sheer annoyance I have for this book.
First of all, it's written in free verse. That's right - a full length novel. In free verse! Not just a few passages like I thought when I bought this mess of a book, but the WHOLE thing. When I read the first page, that should have been my first clue that this whole thing was about to go to hell, because free verse novels are rarely good, in my experience. But I still tried because goddammit, one day I might find a book in free verse that I actually like and swallow my words. I will give this book the benefit of the doubt that it is a translation and that the French original may have been better. Unfortunately, I read the English version, and it was crap.
Second of all, the characters were two of the most insufferable people I've ever had the displeasure to read about. This was most definitely not a love story; this was a lust story. All these two wanted was to get in each other's pants for TEN FREAKING YEARS. And to that I say: just bone already and stop bothering everyone with your fake deep pretentious nonsense! Eugene was the most annoying of the two; he's an emo rich boy who thinks he has it tough because he's sooooo much deeper, sooooo much cleverer, sooooo much more aware of the facts of life than the people around him. So when he discovers that the little 14-year-old neighbour girl has a crush on him, he decides it's up to his 17-year-old wiseass (yeah, by the way, he's almost eighteen and she's fifteen, which is fucking weird but I'm not gonna get into that because that'd be a whole other discussion) to teach this "kid" (his words, not mine) about how the world works. Well aren't you a knight in shining armor?! Then, ten years later when he comes across her again, the first thing he thinks about her is how hot she is and gets jealous of her thesis supervisor because he thinks they're sleeping together, which is like ???? She's a grown ass woman, and it's none of your business, you absolute clown! Then he spends two days stalking her and thinking about how much he wants to fuck her. Like… are you kidding me? And the nail in the coffin is when he takes it personally that she's moving to America to finish her degree, and basically pressures her into sleeping with him. It's so damn pathetic I have no words. I really, really hate Eugene.
Tatiana, honestly, was not much better. This bitch literally spent ten years pining for an idiot like Eugene, which I cannot forgive her for. Also, the level of pretentiousness that she reaches is astounding; even when she was 14 years old, she thought she was soooo much better than her classmates because she reads books and likes discussing philosophy. Like, okay? You think you’re unique? She embodies the "I'm not like other girls" mentality, and I am really over it. When she's older, she's writing her PhD thesis on some obscure painter, and whenever someone doesn't know who he is, she goes "it's fine, no one knows who he is" like she's soooo much smarter than everyone else because she knows who this painter is, like just shut up. The nail in the coffin was when this fucking snob had the nerve to judge her older sister's stable, loving marriage because she thought it was "boring". She literally sits there, in her sister's living room, thinking, "Wow I could never have such a boring life, such a boring love story." I just- no. Fuck off. Who gave you the right to judge other people's relationship when you've been hung up on some teenage asshole that rejected you for half of your life??? I cannot.
Frankly, I thought Olga (Tatiana's older sister) and Lensky, her boyfriend, would have made for a much more interesting novel, because their relationship is juicier and has more drama. Not that I would read said novel, I'm just saying that it would have been a more interesting hot mess than the hot mess we actually got in this book.
Finally, I cannot forgive this book because I did not get the cute, romantic, Paris setting I was promised. There's so little of actual Paris in this novel, which was what I had really come for, so there's just nothing to redeem this book at all.
I'm sure there's a public for this novel, but that public is is not me. Merci, bonsoir.
First of all, it's written in free verse. That's right - a full length novel. In free verse! Not just a few passages like I thought when I bought this mess of a book, but the WHOLE thing. When I read the first page, that should have been my first clue that this whole thing was about to go to hell, because free verse novels are rarely good, in my experience. But I still tried because goddammit, one day I might find a book in free verse that I actually like and swallow my words. I will give this book the benefit of the doubt that it is a translation and that the French original may have been better. Unfortunately, I read the English version, and it was crap.
Second of all, the characters were two of the most insufferable people I've ever had the displeasure to read about. This was most definitely not a love story; this was a lust story. All these two wanted was to get in each other's pants for TEN FREAKING YEARS. And to that I say: just bone already and stop bothering everyone with your fake deep pretentious nonsense! Eugene was the most annoying of the two; he's an emo rich boy who thinks he has it tough because he's sooooo much deeper, sooooo much cleverer, sooooo much more aware of the facts of life than the people around him. So when he discovers that the little 14-year-old neighbour girl has a crush on him, he decides it's up to his 17-year-old wiseass (yeah, by the way, he's almost eighteen and she's fifteen, which is fucking weird but I'm not gonna get into that because that'd be a whole other discussion) to teach this "kid" (his words, not mine) about how the world works. Well aren't you a knight in shining armor?! Then, ten years later when he comes across her again, the first thing he thinks about her is how hot she is and gets jealous of her thesis supervisor because he thinks they're sleeping together, which is like ???? She's a grown ass woman, and it's none of your business, you absolute clown! Then he spends two days stalking her and thinking about how much he wants to fuck her. Like… are you kidding me? And the nail in the coffin is when he takes it personally that she's moving to America to finish her degree, and basically pressures her into sleeping with him. It's so damn pathetic I have no words. I really, really hate Eugene.
Tatiana, honestly, was not much better. This bitch literally spent ten years pining for an idiot like Eugene, which I cannot forgive her for. Also, the level of pretentiousness that she reaches is astounding; even when she was 14 years old, she thought she was soooo much better than her classmates because she reads books and likes discussing philosophy. Like, okay? You think you’re unique? She embodies the "I'm not like other girls" mentality, and I am really over it. When she's older, she's writing her PhD thesis on some obscure painter, and whenever someone doesn't know who he is, she goes "it's fine, no one knows who he is" like she's soooo much smarter than everyone else because she knows who this painter is, like just shut up. The nail in the coffin was when this fucking snob had the nerve to judge her older sister's stable, loving marriage because she thought it was "boring". She literally sits there, in her sister's living room, thinking, "Wow I could never have such a boring life, such a boring love story." I just- no. Fuck off. Who gave you the right to judge other people's relationship when you've been hung up on some teenage asshole that rejected you for half of your life??? I cannot.
Frankly, I thought Olga (Tatiana's older sister) and Lensky, her boyfriend, would have made for a much more interesting novel, because their relationship is juicier and has more drama. Not that I would read said novel, I'm just saying that it would have been a more interesting hot mess than the hot mess we actually got in this book.
Finally, I cannot forgive this book because I did not get the cute, romantic, Paris setting I was promised. There's so little of actual Paris in this novel, which was what I had really come for, so there's just nothing to redeem this book at all.
I'm sure there's a public for this novel, but that public is is not me. Merci, bonsoir.
June 21, 2019
I won an arc in a Goodreads Giveaway. A big thank you to Wednesday Books! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
If a book could articulate love perfectly, then this is it! For clarification, I don't read poetry. I don't really enjoy it. I'd rather read a book for what it is than try to dissect every line for the clues it has to offer. But this. THIS! This was so interesting yet so clever and extremely funny.
In Paris With You is written in verse, a story about reconnecting and growing and finding love. For those that have never fallen in love, it's a feeling that you have to discover for yourself. But goddamn if this doesn't perfectly describe how we all feel when you think you've found true love for yourself. I know that it might be daunting to try to get into it in the beginning, but this story is worth it. And this is definitely NOT YA. Just try to give it a few pages a day and try to follow along. Sometimes the perspective can even split down the middle of the page. Try reading differently. Don't change your reading style to get into this! Expand your world instead.
Language is a powerful thing. I can't even articulate how wonderful this love story portrayed fallible human nature stumbling over itself to express our weak desires, but this book does exactly that. Absolutely adorable!
Something I particularly enjoyed: Tatiana seemed ill imagining spending a dull life that her sister Olga had adopted with her husband, Anthony. She wanted a life of wonder and marvel. And that's okay. Kids are not in the cards for everyone. She wants a different life, something non-monotonous that differs from the regular and boring kid-raising lifestyle. Life can be more than just doing the same thing everyone else does. And this book is a great representation about making new changes and celebrating the things you love without coming to a standstill and putting your life on hold.
Now my only question: Who was the narrator? Someone close to both Eugene and Tatiana? I'm going to rack my brain until I figure it out!
If a book could articulate love perfectly, then this is it! For clarification, I don't read poetry. I don't really enjoy it. I'd rather read a book for what it is than try to dissect every line for the clues it has to offer. But this. THIS! This was so interesting yet so clever and extremely funny.
In Paris With You is written in verse, a story about reconnecting and growing and finding love. For those that have never fallen in love, it's a feeling that you have to discover for yourself. But goddamn if this doesn't perfectly describe how we all feel when you think you've found true love for yourself. I know that it might be daunting to try to get into it in the beginning, but this story is worth it. And this is definitely NOT YA. Just try to give it a few pages a day and try to follow along. Sometimes the perspective can even split down the middle of the page. Try reading differently. Don't change your reading style to get into this! Expand your world instead.
Language is a powerful thing. I can't even articulate how wonderful this love story portrayed fallible human nature stumbling over itself to express our weak desires, but this book does exactly that. Absolutely adorable!
Something I particularly enjoyed: Tatiana seemed ill imagining spending a dull life that her sister Olga had adopted with her husband, Anthony. She wanted a life of wonder and marvel. And that's okay. Kids are not in the cards for everyone. She wants a different life, something non-monotonous that differs from the regular and boring kid-raising lifestyle. Life can be more than just doing the same thing everyone else does. And this book is a great representation about making new changes and celebrating the things you love without coming to a standstill and putting your life on hold.
Now my only question: Who was the narrator? Someone close to both Eugene and Tatiana? I'm going to rack my brain until I figure it out!
January 20, 2019
Rating: 3 stars
HEA:
In Paris with You was not my first experience in terms of “poetry fiction”, but I quite enjoyed the author’s style. More often than not, it reminded me of a narrative technique I had fallen in love with at the age of 16.
The story followed the fortunate encounter between two past lovers, on the subway, ten years after their break up. It was both written in present scenes and flashbacks, to allow the reader a better understanding of their situation. Tatiana was a PhD student, writing a thesis about Caillebotte… The art historian in me was so glad to read about her ideas on the topic.
And I loved, loved , loved reading about Eugene’s thoughts: the way he processed his feelings and thoughts was quite similar to mine. Especially when he kept on thinking about unimportant things during the most important events that were happening to him.
If you’re up for a contemporary Adult, a second chance story, both hilarious and sad at times, written in lines, lines, lines… In Paris with You will definitely satisfy your expectations.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me this copy in exchange for an honest review. Thoughts and opinions are my own.
HEA:
“Boredom exists everywhere, you know. It’s called different things.
We say ennui, the English spleen,
the Russian khandra.
But changing the name doesn’t alter the feeling. You can’t escape your mind.
Boredom is not a place you can leave behind.”
In Paris with You was not my first experience in terms of “poetry fiction”, but I quite enjoyed the author’s style. More often than not, it reminded me of a narrative technique I had fallen in love with at the age of 16.
The story followed the fortunate encounter between two past lovers, on the subway, ten years after their break up. It was both written in present scenes and flashbacks, to allow the reader a better understanding of their situation. Tatiana was a PhD student, writing a thesis about Caillebotte… The art historian in me was so glad to read about her ideas on the topic.
And I loved, loved , loved reading about Eugene’s thoughts: the way he processed his feelings and thoughts was quite similar to mine. Especially when he kept on thinking about unimportant things during the most important events that were happening to him.
If you’re up for a contemporary Adult, a second chance story, both hilarious and sad at times, written in lines, lines, lines… In Paris with You will definitely satisfy your expectations.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me this copy in exchange for an honest review. Thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 11, 2023
C’était au début inattendu et déstabilisant par sa forme, et c’est devenu exactement ce que j’avais besoin de lire. C’est doux et en même temps ça claque. Ça parle d’amours et de choix de vie. De seconde chance. D’illusions et de désillusions. C’est juste et pourtant très lyrique. Poétique et parfois drôle.
C’est un livre que je relierai, je le sais. Que j’offrirai aussi. Et que je veux absolument voir jouer sur scène❤️
C’est un livre que je relierai, je le sais. Que j’offrirai aussi. Et que je veux absolument voir jouer sur scène❤️
September 29, 2019
Firstly, I absolutely love the book cover. I think it is eye-catching and beautiful! Accompanied with the title they just match!
Secondly, I love the format of the book. It was written in a poem format! Hence, making it fun and fast to read.
Besides that, this book taught me a lot about maturity and love. Being mature is part of growing up, as we were young we tend to believe what we wanted to. However, believing what is good and pure is important regardless of our age. Moreover, love is what makes us stronger and not weaker. Appreciate the person that loves you.
Furthemore, I adore the main character, Tatiana. She is a clever, strong, determine, loving and caring young woman. As she grew older she realized the importance of being appreciated. Therefore, making her stronger to live the life that she lives.
Lastly, below are some excerpts of the book that I utterly love!
“We are hard on ourselves when we recollect the past;
we hate ourselves, in retrospect.
And,
“The wonderful thing about really loving someone is that that
even
when the first fires of passion have died
even
when the honeymoon is over
even
when you’re no longer head over heels
– and yes, of course it’ll happen –
you’ll be friends,
you’ll build something durable and tender,
a trust in each other;
that’s not something your career will ever give you,
so don’t even bother.
I’m talking about something solid,
that the two of you have built.
Overall, I love In Paris With You! It is not your typical romance book. I highly recommend it if you love contemporary books!
Thank you so much Times Reads, for sending me a copy of In Paris With You by Clementine Beauvais!
This book is available at all good bookstores!
Sincerely,
Natasha (TheNatashaReads) ❤️
Secondly, I love the format of the book. It was written in a poem format! Hence, making it fun and fast to read.
Besides that, this book taught me a lot about maturity and love. Being mature is part of growing up, as we were young we tend to believe what we wanted to. However, believing what is good and pure is important regardless of our age. Moreover, love is what makes us stronger and not weaker. Appreciate the person that loves you.
Furthemore, I adore the main character, Tatiana. She is a clever, strong, determine, loving and caring young woman. As she grew older she realized the importance of being appreciated. Therefore, making her stronger to live the life that she lives.
Lastly, below are some excerpts of the book that I utterly love!
“We are hard on ourselves when we recollect the past;
we hate ourselves, in retrospect.
And,
“The wonderful thing about really loving someone is that that
even
when the first fires of passion have died
even
when the honeymoon is over
even
when you’re no longer head over heels
– and yes, of course it’ll happen –
you’ll be friends,
you’ll build something durable and tender,
a trust in each other;
that’s not something your career will ever give you,
so don’t even bother.
I’m talking about something solid,
that the two of you have built.
Overall, I love In Paris With You! It is not your typical romance book. I highly recommend it if you love contemporary books!
Thank you so much Times Reads, for sending me a copy of In Paris With You by Clementine Beauvais!
This book is available at all good bookstores!
Sincerely,
Natasha (TheNatashaReads) ❤️
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