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Salt on my Skin
Salt on my Skin is widely regarded as Groult’s most pioneering, best-loved book. This highly-charged novel follows the passionate relationship between mismatched lovers: a Parisian intellectual and a Breton fisherman, brought together by lust. Through love letters and exotic encounters around the world, their life-long affair evolves—liberating them from the restrictions and disappointments dealt by real life. Set in France in the 1960s, it explores the touching dynamics of the couple’s relationship, and whether their raw desire for each other can overcome the wide social divide that separates them. The narrative examines the difficulties of writing frankly about sex and explores the protagonist's conflict between fulfilling her intellectual and sexual needs.
264 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 341 reviews
April 25, 2015
At first sight it seemed to be stupid love story. It has a stupid title and even more stupid cover. I would never have decided to open it if a friend of mine hadn't urged me to do so. And as I turned the pages one after the other, this book turned into one of the most beautiful love stories I have ever read.
December 17, 2024
Me quedan menos de 50 páginas, pero no lo soporto más. El libro rezuma clasismo, aderezado con racismo y unas gotitas de edadismo ocasional. La protagonista es pretenciosa, caprichosa e insoportablemente vana. Él parece una caricatura cochambrosa de una fantasía sexual.
Esto no lo salva ni la supuesta delicadeza con la que están escritas las escenas sexuales.
Si se supone que estas son las historias de amor que nos esperan a las feministas, prefiero seguir soltera. Por favor y gracias.
Esto no lo salva ni la supuesta delicadeza con la que están escritas las escenas sexuales.
Si se supone que estas son las historias de amor que nos esperan a las feministas, prefiero seguir soltera. Por favor y gracias.
January 30, 2026
? Ik was nieuwsgierig om weer eens een romantisch/ erotisch boek te lezen en dit boek is gelezen door mijn leeskring Zoetermeer, toen ik er nog niet bijzat.
🤔Het begin was zeker boeiend, maar vanaf pagina 90 ging het boek me steeds meer tegenstaan...en ik heb geen zin om teveel tegen mijn zin te gaan lezen. Een beetje schuren mag, maar niet teveel. Dus ben ik ermee gestopt en ga ik misschien, heel misschien ;-) later dit boek nog eens oppakken. Verhaallijn begon boeiend, schrijfstijl begon mij teveel te irriteren dus. Misschien is het het moment, maar wellicht ook niet ;-)
MW3/2/25
🤔Het begin was zeker boeiend, maar vanaf pagina 90 ging het boek me steeds meer tegenstaan...en ik heb geen zin om teveel tegen mijn zin te gaan lezen. Een beetje schuren mag, maar niet teveel. Dus ben ik ermee gestopt en ga ik misschien, heel misschien ;-) later dit boek nog eens oppakken. Verhaallijn begon boeiend, schrijfstijl begon mij teveel te irriteren dus. Misschien is het het moment, maar wellicht ook niet ;-)
MW3/2/25
April 29, 2021
In het begin dacht ik dat ik dit boek niet goed zou vinden; het ging voornamelijk over de lichamelijke liefde tussen een rijkeluismeisje dat studeerde, en een visser die eigenlijk amper kon lezen en schrijven. Echter, naarmate het boek vorderde, beschreef de auteur wondermooi hoe hun relatie vorderde, dat ze echt wel diep in hun harten zat, en hoe ze hun hele leven lang standhield. Ik vond het heel intens geschreven, de schrijfster wist een gevoel van medeleven met de beide hoofdpersonages op te wekken. Vooral de passages waarin ze geconfronteerd werden met nieuws uit het dagelijkse leven van elkander, naast de tijd die ze met elkaar deelden, pakten mij het meest. Het boek was dus toch de moeite om uit te lezen, hoewel ik eerlijk gezegd liever een ander soort verhalen lees.
December 31, 2015
Dieser Roman gehört ohne Zweifel zu den Büchern, die aus für mich nicht nachvollziehbaren Gründen von einer breiten Masse hochgelobt wird, während ich es gähnend langweilig finde und der verschwendeten Zeit dafür nachtrauere. Das Thema, zwei Menschen, die sich über Jahrzehnte lang kurzzeitig treffen, um ihre rein körperlichen Anziehung füreinander auszuleben, obwohl beide andersweilig verheiratet und familiär verwurzelt sind, scheint am Anfang noch interessant. Wäre da nicht die nervige Ich- Erzählerin George, die sich zu gern in Selbstbetrachtungen verliert und mich mit ihrem Gefühlschaos, ihrer Unsicherheit und andererseits Überheblichkeit nie erreichen, berühren oder packen konnte. Irgendwie wurde ich nie das Gefühl los, mit gelesenen fünfzig Seiten bereits das ganze Buch zu kennen, um schließlich nach der sich wie Kaugummi-dahinziehenden Hälfte endgültig das Handtuch zu werfen. Vielleicht hätte ein regelmäßiger Perspektiv- bzw. Erzählerwechsel den heiß ersehnten Spannungsschub geliefert. - Mein daraus gewonnenes Fazit lautet jedenfalls: Es wird keinen dritten Versuch geben!!!
March 22, 2021
Una historia de amor prolongada en el tiempo, a lo largo de las décadas, entre dos personas que aparentemente no tienen nada que ver, pero que se atraen como imanes. Una narración por momentos erótica, contada con un lenguaje delicioso.
February 18, 2021
Den Plot könnte man in 2/3 Seiten zusammenfassen.
George ist ein so unsympathischer Charakter, sie lässt fast keine Situation aus, um darzustellen, dass Gauvain nicht so gebildet und intellektuell ist. Ein weiterer Punkt, der mich auf die Palme bringt, ist, dass sie sich als Feministin bezeichnet und trotzdem ständig über das Aussehen, den Bildungsgrad oder das Verhalten der Ehefrau von Gauvain.
Es gab tatsächlich auch eine Sache, die ich mochte: die Sexpositivität des Buches. Die Protagonistin schämt sich nicht für ihr Sexleben und oft steht die weibliche Lust im inhaltlichen Fokus.
Den einen Stern finde ich berechtigt, da sich George am Ende wenigstens für eine Sekunde mal reflektiert gezeigt hat (wohlgemerkt erst mit fast 50 und selbst dann kann sie ihre Eitelkeit und Ignoranz nicht ganz ablegen) und das Buch einfach und angenehm zu lesen war.
George ist ein so unsympathischer Charakter, sie lässt fast keine Situation aus, um darzustellen, dass Gauvain nicht so gebildet und intellektuell ist. Ein weiterer Punkt, der mich auf die Palme bringt, ist, dass sie sich als Feministin bezeichnet und trotzdem ständig über das Aussehen, den Bildungsgrad oder das Verhalten der Ehefrau von Gauvain.
Es gab tatsächlich auch eine Sache, die ich mochte: die Sexpositivität des Buches. Die Protagonistin schämt sich nicht für ihr Sexleben und oft steht die weibliche Lust im inhaltlichen Fokus.
Den einen Stern finde ich berechtigt, da sich George am Ende wenigstens für eine Sekunde mal reflektiert gezeigt hat (wohlgemerkt erst mit fast 50 und selbst dann kann sie ihre Eitelkeit und Ignoranz nicht ganz ablegen) und das Buch einfach und angenehm zu lesen war.
August 18, 2021
Too much Klischee. I found it quit boring sadly.
March 6, 2022
Ein sensibles Buch über eine ungleiche Liebe - lesenswert-
May 2, 2022
02.05.2022:
Пробвах да гледам филма с Грета Скаки от 1992 г., който явно се харесва на доста романтици. Е, нещо по-малко романтично едва ли е правено. Грета Скаки играе такъв въплътен невеж егоизъм, че ми идеше да я замеря с нещо на 10-тата минута. А в края беше напълно противна. Поуката е, срещнеш ли такъв човек, бягай надалеч…
Все пак загадката защо това се възприема като любов си остава… Не е - жестока манипулация е.
Ревю:
Направо не знам какво да мисля. Всъщност знам.
Доста честно и вероятно откровено тук “феминизмът” на героинята е всъщност шарено дегизиран дълбок егоизъм и смъртен страх от истинско обвързване, докато междувременно се отдава на интелектуални шаради със собствения си живот, и - което е още по-тъжно - с живота на други хора, най-вече на един човек.
Когато Жорж и Гувен (надявам се, че съм уцелила произношението) се срещат още като деца в бретонско селце, впоследствие привличането е моментално. Обаче са много различни - неговият занаят е морето, а тя иска интелектуален социален живот. Цялата им връзка от над 30 години е спорадични срещи за по десетина дни, понякога на разстояние години. И двамата се женят за други, но при все вечните различия и раздели, накрая пак се стремят един към друг.
Има нещо от Маргьорит Дюрас в сюжета и стила. Или просто в усещането. А усещането ми е, че често в една врзъзка, колкото и странно да криволичи, единият винаги обича повече и дава повече. В случая това беше Гувен, който в един момент просто прие нещата каквито са, спря да се опитва да се противи или да се опитва да променя, и прие Жорж каквато е - вечно търсеща извинения и разлики (класови, интелектуални, културни, по полов признак и какво ли не още), неспособна да се спре на нещо конкретно в никоя житейска област, но снобски уверена в превъзходството си. Това, което тя започна да загрява чак накрая (и пак не съвсем), беше, че нейната опора в живота се вясваше максимум за по 2 седмици годишно, и то защото тя избра да бъде така. И докато беше “заета” да се самоизучава и да експериментира, беше способна да го прави именно защото все пак той винаги и безрезервно я подкрепяше. От началото до края. А навирилата нос високообразована, глезена и светска идиотка беше заета да търси граматически коректни изрази и да обяснява на него и себе си защо всъщност не си подхождат!
Така че давам ниска оценка заради абсолютно непоносимата героиня, разказваща в първо лице. Тук заглавието трябва да - момичета, никога, никога не пилейте този скъпоценен живот така! Иначе френските авторки умеят да закачат оголен нерв, спор няма. Но защо така мразят себе си, винаги ми е било голяма загадка, включително и за Маргьорит Дюрас.
Пробвах да гледам филма с Грета Скаки от 1992 г., който явно се харесва на доста романтици. Е, нещо по-малко романтично едва ли е правено. Грета Скаки играе такъв въплътен невеж егоизъм, че ми идеше да я замеря с нещо на 10-тата минута. А в края беше напълно противна. Поуката е, срещнеш ли такъв човек, бягай надалеч…
Все пак загадката защо това се възприема като любов си остава… Не е - жестока манипулация е.
Ревю:
Направо не знам какво да мисля. Всъщност знам.
Доста честно и вероятно откровено тук “феминизмът” на героинята е всъщност шарено дегизиран дълбок егоизъм и смъртен страх от истинско обвързване, докато междувременно се отдава на интелектуални шаради със собствения си живот, и - което е още по-тъжно - с живота на други хора, най-вече на един човек.
Когато Жорж и Гувен (надявам се, че съм уцелила произношението) се срещат още като деца в бретонско селце, впоследствие привличането е моментално. Обаче са много различни - неговият занаят е морето, а тя иска интелектуален социален живот. Цялата им връзка от над 30 години е спорадични срещи за по десетина дни, понякога на разстояние години. И двамата се женят за други, но при все вечните различия и раздели, накрая пак се стремят един към друг.
Има нещо от Маргьорит Дюрас в сюжета и стила. Или просто в усещането. А усещането ми е, че често в една врзъзка, колкото и странно да криволичи, единият винаги обича повече и дава повече. В случая това беше Гувен, който в един момент просто прие нещата каквито са, спря да се опитва да се противи или да се опитва да променя, и прие Жорж каквато е - вечно търсеща извинения и разлики (класови, интелектуални, културни, по полов признак и какво ли не още), неспособна да се спре на нещо конкретно в никоя житейска област, но снобски уверена в превъзходството си. Това, което тя започна да загрява чак накрая (и пак не съвсем), беше, че нейната опора в живота се вясваше максимум за по 2 седмици годишно, и то защото тя избра да бъде така. И докато беше “заета” да се самоизучава и да експериментира, беше способна да го прави именно защото все пак той винаги и безрезервно я подкрепяше. От началото до края. А навирилата нос високообразована, глезена и светска идиотка беше заета да търси граматически коректни изрази и да обяснява на него и себе си защо всъщност не си подхождат!
Така че давам ниска оценка заради абсолютно непоносимата героиня, разказваща в първо лице. Тук заглавието трябва да - момичета, никога, никога не пилейте този скъпоценен живот така! Иначе френските авторки умеят да закачат оголен нерв, спор няма. Но защо така мразят себе си, винаги ми е било голяма загадка, включително и за Маргьорит Дюрас.
July 13, 2025
«Érase una vez en un archipiélago del océano Índico, por uno de esos grandes azares, un marinero y una historiadora, a los que nada predisponía a reunirse, ambos habitados por un deseo tan físico que no se atrevían a llamarlo amor».
2'75 - ¿Es posible vivir una historia de deseo, épica y sin apenas bajar de intensidad, por la misma persona durante toda una vida? ¿Y de amor, al mismo tiempo?
No tengo una respuesta clara a estas preguntas, pero a priori diría que no. La intensidad del deseo y el amor cambia y se transforma a lo largo de nuestra vida porque no siempre somos los mismos. Pero cada persona es un mundo, y George y Gauvain lo viven así (o casi).
Voy a intentar empezar por lo que me ha gustado de esta novela, que sintiéndolo mucho no me ha llegado a convencer (y me da rabia porque tenía las expectativas altas y la tenía pendiente desde hace años).
Me ha encantado cómo habla del deseo femenino sin juzgar moralmente a su protagonista sino, simplemente, dándole voz. La voz que necesitaban miles de mujeres en los años 80 para liberarse sexualmente en una sociedad en la que hablar de deseo femenino era algo así como un escándalo (en bastantes círculos). También, la forma poética, sensible y sutil con la que escrita, que acaricia y seduce como su título.
Sin embargo, cuando cambia el tono y pasa a ser mucho más directo, bruto y nada sutil no me ha convencido y no he entendido esos cambios tan bruscos en la narración a lo largo de los capítulos.
Por otro lado, personalmente he sentido a ambos personajes muy lejanos, cobardes y muy centrados en su propio deseo, casi sin exponer sus vulnerabilidades. Algo que les lleva a ser infelices en muchos momentos y, aunque esto es bastante coherente con lo que nos presenta sobre sus personalidades, me ha hecho desconectar bastante y que casi toda la parte central del libro se me haya hecho bastante aburrida.
Quizás no he llegado a este libro en el mejor momento o quizás es que, simplemente, no ha sido para mí.
2'75 - ¿Es posible vivir una historia de deseo, épica y sin apenas bajar de intensidad, por la misma persona durante toda una vida? ¿Y de amor, al mismo tiempo?
No tengo una respuesta clara a estas preguntas, pero a priori diría que no. La intensidad del deseo y el amor cambia y se transforma a lo largo de nuestra vida porque no siempre somos los mismos. Pero cada persona es un mundo, y George y Gauvain lo viven así (o casi).
Voy a intentar empezar por lo que me ha gustado de esta novela, que sintiéndolo mucho no me ha llegado a convencer (y me da rabia porque tenía las expectativas altas y la tenía pendiente desde hace años).
Me ha encantado cómo habla del deseo femenino sin juzgar moralmente a su protagonista sino, simplemente, dándole voz. La voz que necesitaban miles de mujeres en los años 80 para liberarse sexualmente en una sociedad en la que hablar de deseo femenino era algo así como un escándalo (en bastantes círculos). También, la forma poética, sensible y sutil con la que escrita, que acaricia y seduce como su título.
Sin embargo, cuando cambia el tono y pasa a ser mucho más directo, bruto y nada sutil no me ha convencido y no he entendido esos cambios tan bruscos en la narración a lo largo de los capítulos.
Por otro lado, personalmente he sentido a ambos personajes muy lejanos, cobardes y muy centrados en su propio deseo, casi sin exponer sus vulnerabilidades. Algo que les lleva a ser infelices en muchos momentos y, aunque esto es bastante coherente con lo que nos presenta sobre sus personalidades, me ha hecho desconectar bastante y que casi toda la parte central del libro se me haya hecho bastante aburrida.
Quizás no he llegado a este libro en el mejor momento o quizás es que, simplemente, no ha sido para mí.
February 29, 2024
C’était quoi cette énorme claque que je me suis prise hier soir en terminant ce roman? Ce qui est certain c’est qu’il va marquer ma vie de lectrice, ma vie de femme aussi.
D’abord, merci Adoria, car c’est grâce à toi que j’ai découvert ce livre, sans toi je n’en aurai jamais entendu parler et je serai passée à côté d’un chamboulement intérieur incroyable.
Je l’avoue, j’ai eu l’impression que ce livre a été écrit pour moi par une femme qui a eu une trajectoire sentimentale pour le moment relativement proche de la mienne.
De nombreuses réflexions que j’avais déjà sont présentes dans le texte: la place d’une passion amoureuse dans une vie, la place de la morale quand la dite passion se situe hors du cadre sociétal classique du mariage, la distance qui peut séparer deux êtres qui semblent pris de folie mais qui ne partagent pas la même éducation et ne viennent pas de la même classe sociale.
Alors déjà, la, j’étais cueillie par l’autrice. C’était sans même imaginer cette écriture si belle, si vraie, qui décrit et qui illustre si bien certains des sentiments que j’ai pu avoir dans ma vie.
La question de la fin du roman m’a hantée des le milieu du texte: mais comment cela va se terminer? Bien? Mal? Est ce que je vais pleurer à la fin? (La dernière question n’a pas vraiment lieu d’être car elle me semblait une évidence dès les premières pages…)
Bref. Il y a des moments comme ça, dans la vie, où une lecture arrive pile au bon moment. Vous ne savez pas pourquoi, vous ne savez pas comment mais ce livre est là, entre vos mains, et tout ce que vous pouvez faire c’est entrer à l’intérieur et vous en faire un abri pour quelques jours.
« Dites-moi que tout cela passerait vite si je vivais avec Gauvain et qu'aucun de nous ne doit bouleverser sa vie, surtout pas lui.
Dites-moi qu'il serait fou de se fier à son corps, qu'il est versatile et peut entraîner l'esprit vers des choix déraisonnables qui se révéleraient bientôt catastrophiques.
Dites-moi que si je veux garder cet amour-là, il faut accepter de le perdre.
Car pour l'instant, je ne parviens pas à retouver mes marques. Je séjourne en marge de ma vie, dans un sas de décompression où je tente de me désintoxiquer de la délicieuse drogue d'être adorée. »
D’abord, merci Adoria, car c’est grâce à toi que j’ai découvert ce livre, sans toi je n’en aurai jamais entendu parler et je serai passée à côté d’un chamboulement intérieur incroyable.
Je l’avoue, j’ai eu l’impression que ce livre a été écrit pour moi par une femme qui a eu une trajectoire sentimentale pour le moment relativement proche de la mienne.
De nombreuses réflexions que j’avais déjà sont présentes dans le texte: la place d’une passion amoureuse dans une vie, la place de la morale quand la dite passion se situe hors du cadre sociétal classique du mariage, la distance qui peut séparer deux êtres qui semblent pris de folie mais qui ne partagent pas la même éducation et ne viennent pas de la même classe sociale.
Alors déjà, la, j’étais cueillie par l’autrice. C’était sans même imaginer cette écriture si belle, si vraie, qui décrit et qui illustre si bien certains des sentiments que j’ai pu avoir dans ma vie.
La question de la fin du roman m’a hantée des le milieu du texte: mais comment cela va se terminer? Bien? Mal? Est ce que je vais pleurer à la fin? (La dernière question n’a pas vraiment lieu d’être car elle me semblait une évidence dès les premières pages…)
Bref. Il y a des moments comme ça, dans la vie, où une lecture arrive pile au bon moment. Vous ne savez pas pourquoi, vous ne savez pas comment mais ce livre est là, entre vos mains, et tout ce que vous pouvez faire c’est entrer à l’intérieur et vous en faire un abri pour quelques jours.
« Dites-moi que tout cela passerait vite si je vivais avec Gauvain et qu'aucun de nous ne doit bouleverser sa vie, surtout pas lui.
Dites-moi qu'il serait fou de se fier à son corps, qu'il est versatile et peut entraîner l'esprit vers des choix déraisonnables qui se révéleraient bientôt catastrophiques.
Dites-moi que si je veux garder cet amour-là, il faut accepter de le perdre.
Car pour l'instant, je ne parviens pas à retouver mes marques. Je séjourne en marge de ma vie, dans un sas de décompression où je tente de me désintoxiquer de la délicieuse drogue d'être adorée. »
June 15, 2009
This is a wonderful love story between two people who spent their childhood summers in the same village, but who grew up to live in entirely different worlds. George is a cultured (and rather snobbish) intellectual living mostly in Paris, Gavin is a Breton fisherman. Their relationship lasts through the decades, with them finding excuses to go meet up in the Seychelles, Montreal, Florida, Dakar to spend precious time together. The book is wonderfully written and is very honest about sex, never deteriorating into either pornography or coyness (though sometimes it does get a bit silly, but that's true to life!). The characters are alive and endearing, though George is sometimes rather too caustic in her snobbish attitudes to American culture or to Gavin's lack of refinement (though again that's probably very true to life). One of the things I like is that although Gavin seems like the kind of man I would never be attracted to, the writing makes me entirely see him from George's point of view and I can understand what could seem her rather unlikely attraction and loyalty to him.
Not just a love story, its also full of social commentary and lots of information about deep sea fishing! I had never heard of Benoite Groult before I read this book, but I'll certainly look out for her other novels now.
Not just a love story, its also full of social commentary and lots of information about deep sea fishing! I had never heard of Benoite Groult before I read this book, but I'll certainly look out for her other novels now.
May 15, 2019
Een schitterend liefdesverhaal op hoog literair niveau. Alhoewel seks een belangrijke rol speelt in dit boek, wordt het nooit platvloers of saai. De beschrijvingen zijn mooi, creatief en soms verrassend. Ik wilde dit boek lezen omdat ik haar Ierse dagboek heb gekocht en eerst een van haar literaire werken wilde lezen zodat ik een idee had van haar als auteur. Zout op mijn huid is een echte aanrader.
July 6, 2023
4,5⭐️
to-buy
August 14, 2019I LOVE the 1992 movie, I didn't know it was a book, it's such a good movie with such a romantic, heartbreaking and beautiful story. My mom and I watch it every few years together.
The story is about George who is half French/half Scottish woman, who falls for Gavin McCall, a Scottish fisherman during her teens when on vacation to attend a wedding. They have a passionate one night stand, and they rekindle their love off and on through the story until they have a long affair until Gavin dies.
What I always hated about the story is George insistence that Gavin wasn't good enough for her, that she wanted him to remain as he is, where he was, (when all he wanted was to be with her) so she can carry on being her sophisticated self. I wish people would know how to appreciate their loved ones and the ones their souls sing to before it's too late.
Why doesn't such good movies come to TV anymore? I love older movies.
The story is about George who is half French/half Scottish woman, who falls for Gavin McCall, a Scottish fisherman during her teens when on vacation to attend a wedding. They have a passionate one night stand, and they rekindle their love off and on through the story until they have a long affair until Gavin dies.
What I always hated about the story is George insistence that Gavin wasn't good enough for her, that she wanted him to remain as he is, where he was, (when all he wanted was to be with her) so she can carry on being her sophisticated self. I wish people would know how to appreciate their loved ones and the ones their souls sing to before it's too late.
Why doesn't such good movies come to TV anymore? I love older movies.
July 7, 2013
I’m going to be a very rare reviewer of this book I’m sure.
Why? Because I’m a guy! And not only that, this is normally not my sort of book, but I have given it a top score!
This was given to me by female reading fanatic friend. I didn’t realise at the time but its quite hard to get hold of, so even for that it was a nice gift.
So I read a love story (I simplistically call it that but it’s a relationship story actually) under a promise and expect to speed-read it and politely say thanks. But what a surprise, a wonderful writer (always appreciated) and an enjoyable but quite sad storyline (no spoilers here).
Made me think about the passing of time and relationships, in fact every time I put the book down it made me think. I like books that make me think. A wonderful surprise of a book, eternal thanks to my book friend who made me read well out of my comfort zone.
(it’s a shame, but I don’t think many guys will read this book – the girly cover doesn’t help)
Why? Because I’m a guy! And not only that, this is normally not my sort of book, but I have given it a top score!
This was given to me by female reading fanatic friend. I didn’t realise at the time but its quite hard to get hold of, so even for that it was a nice gift.
So I read a love story (I simplistically call it that but it’s a relationship story actually) under a promise and expect to speed-read it and politely say thanks. But what a surprise, a wonderful writer (always appreciated) and an enjoyable but quite sad storyline (no spoilers here).
Made me think about the passing of time and relationships, in fact every time I put the book down it made me think. I like books that make me think. A wonderful surprise of a book, eternal thanks to my book friend who made me read well out of my comfort zone.
(it’s a shame, but I don’t think many guys will read this book – the girly cover doesn’t help)
December 3, 2010
A book you never forget for lot's of reasons. You want so many things for each of them. Turning the pages is agony and ecstacy. See for yourself. Fifteen years later, I can still feel the final page.
June 18, 2020
Une histoire d'amour sans fard ni pudeur, loin des clichés du genre. C'est avant tout une histoire de femme, qui se confronte aux carcans sociaux à travers ses émotions.
Si beau !
Si beau !
November 5, 2025
Gekregen, want iemands favoriete boek. Maar sorry not sorry: ik heb het genre romance na dit boek wel echt afgeschreven. Wat ongelooflijk saai en cliché.
May 20, 2025
Of ze aub even kunnen stoppen met naaien?!
October 23, 2018
Vier sterren, vijf sterren, want to read, read. Al jaren duikt dit boek op in de updates van mijn fijnzinnige Goodreads-vriendjes. Het lezen waard dus. Dacht ik.
Wat ik nu pas doorheb: mijn fijnzinnige Goodreads-vriendjes zijn meestal fijnzinnige Goodreads-vriendínnetjes.
Want wat blijkt? Dacht ik naïef dat literatuur geen onderscheid maakt tussen de seksen, stoot ik gewoon op een vrouwenboek pur sang. Het onwettige liefdesverhaal tussen een keurig opgevoede hitsige Parisienne en een boerse Bretonse zeebonk, verteld van bakvis tot oude vrouw. Dat kan de romantische lezeres ongetwijfeld boeien, maar deze lezer helemaal niet.
Een liefdesroman is pijnlijk als je vanaf het begin al uitkijkt naar het moment van de breuk zodat je het boek snel kan dichtklappen. Hier blijft het verhaal voortkabbelen van mogelijk laatste avontuurtje naar ander mogelijk laatste avontuurtje. Maar bij elke nieuwe sprong in de tijd blijkt het om voorlaatste keren te zijn gegaan en zoeken de overspelige minnaars elkaar telkens opnieuw op. Zodat er weer vrolijk op los kan worden gevogeld en verhaal zowel als vogel steeds langer worden. Over lengte gesproken: size does matter blijkbaar, maar dit terzijde.
Goed opgevoed als ik ben, heb ik het boek helemaal uitgelezen. Maar ik kon het genot niet delen. Ofwel heb ik teveel testosteron in mijn lijf, ofwel ben ik gewoon te straight om me te kunnen verplaatsen in de erotische fantasieën van de hoofdfiguur en haar - overigens belabberd vertaalde - linguïstische overpeinzingen over de vleselijke liefde. Maar deze spek laat ik toch maar over aan de vrouwelijke bek.
Het avontuurtje is voorbij. Onbevredigd. Tijd weer voor iets serieus.
Wat ik nu pas doorheb: mijn fijnzinnige Goodreads-vriendjes zijn meestal fijnzinnige Goodreads-vriendínnetjes.
Want wat blijkt? Dacht ik naïef dat literatuur geen onderscheid maakt tussen de seksen, stoot ik gewoon op een vrouwenboek pur sang. Het onwettige liefdesverhaal tussen een keurig opgevoede hitsige Parisienne en een boerse Bretonse zeebonk, verteld van bakvis tot oude vrouw. Dat kan de romantische lezeres ongetwijfeld boeien, maar deze lezer helemaal niet.
Een liefdesroman is pijnlijk als je vanaf het begin al uitkijkt naar het moment van de breuk zodat je het boek snel kan dichtklappen. Hier blijft het verhaal voortkabbelen van mogelijk laatste avontuurtje naar ander mogelijk laatste avontuurtje. Maar bij elke nieuwe sprong in de tijd blijkt het om voorlaatste keren te zijn gegaan en zoeken de overspelige minnaars elkaar telkens opnieuw op. Zodat er weer vrolijk op los kan worden gevogeld en verhaal zowel als vogel steeds langer worden. Over lengte gesproken: size does matter blijkbaar, maar dit terzijde.
Goed opgevoed als ik ben, heb ik het boek helemaal uitgelezen. Maar ik kon het genot niet delen. Ofwel heb ik teveel testosteron in mijn lijf, ofwel ben ik gewoon te straight om me te kunnen verplaatsen in de erotische fantasieën van de hoofdfiguur en haar - overigens belabberd vertaalde - linguïstische overpeinzingen over de vleselijke liefde. Maar deze spek laat ik toch maar over aan de vrouwelijke bek.
Het avontuurtje is voorbij. Onbevredigd. Tijd weer voor iets serieus.
February 24, 2013
Having read Benoite Groult's autobiography I was excited to have found Salt on our Skin, her novel. I delayed reading it because I didn't want it to disappoint, but eventually sat down and read it over the Christmas period. Groult's style is eloquent and fluid, articulate and easy to read, but intellectually satisfying. Her story of love between a French academic and a Breton fisherman is beautifully written. There is a truth about the story which comes from Groult's own romantic experiences and this honesty enables Groult to avoid the pitfalls of many a love story. The story combines the everyday truths of real life with the excitement of an affair.
The love affair does not run smoothly and is not a perfect tale of lovers walking hand in hand into the sunset. It is, however, touching, moving and beautifully written. I would highly recommend it.
The love affair does not run smoothly and is not a perfect tale of lovers walking hand in hand into the sunset. It is, however, touching, moving and beautifully written. I would highly recommend it.
January 12, 2022
>>Eine Geschichte über eine unabhängige Frau und Liebe und Leidenschaft.<<
Ich verstehe wieso dieses Buch für so lange Zeit auf der Bestsellerliste stand, als es veröffentlicht wurde. Es zeigt eine gewisse Unabhängigkeit bzw. Freiheit und man könnte auch schon sagen Emanzipation der Protagonistin. Sie zeigte was sie vom Leben will und blieb trotz einiger Tiefpunkt in ihrem Leben realistisch und ihrer Unabhängigkeit treu (auch wenn das nicht immer leicht war).
Trotzdem muss ich aber sagen, dass ich die Story als eher zäh empfand. Ich denke aber das ist dem geschuldet, dass das Buch vor über 30 Jahren veröffentlicht wurde und es einfach eine andere Zeit war. Ich habe dem Buch deshalb 3 Sterne gegeben. Es war gut, es hat mich aber nicht umgehauen und war auch nicht schlecht.
Ich verstehe wieso dieses Buch für so lange Zeit auf der Bestsellerliste stand, als es veröffentlicht wurde. Es zeigt eine gewisse Unabhängigkeit bzw. Freiheit und man könnte auch schon sagen Emanzipation der Protagonistin. Sie zeigte was sie vom Leben will und blieb trotz einiger Tiefpunkt in ihrem Leben realistisch und ihrer Unabhängigkeit treu (auch wenn das nicht immer leicht war).
Trotzdem muss ich aber sagen, dass ich die Story als eher zäh empfand. Ich denke aber das ist dem geschuldet, dass das Buch vor über 30 Jahren veröffentlicht wurde und es einfach eine andere Zeit war. Ich habe dem Buch deshalb 3 Sterne gegeben. Es war gut, es hat mich aber nicht umgehauen und war auch nicht schlecht.
October 24, 2023
Hay pasiones que no pueden reprimirse y que duran una vida entera. Amores predestinados que no tienen explicación y que simplemente se viven. Una obra (pequeña gran joya, para mi) donde la escala social e intelectual de sus protagonistas, junto con el egocentrismo y la arrogancia, condenarán al amor, al injusto oprobio de la negación, la clandestinidad y el puro deseo. Pero los años pone nombre a todo, y a todos en su lugar. Me ha gustado mucho la forma en el que está escrito, las relaciones sexuales narradas de manera peculiar y exquisita, y para lo que se lee hoy en día, muy comedidas. Cómo ya he dicho anteriormente una pequeña gran joya.
June 11, 2022
Life long love affair between a Parisian writer and a Breton fisherman. What's appealing in this novel is not the steamy sex scenes (there are a few) but rather the morphing and adaptability of the two lovers as the decades fly by. Before you know it, old age comes knocking and the relationship finds sudden closure....
June 27, 2023
"Karedig, quiero que sepas que tú eres lo mejor que me ha pasado en la vida . En cada uno de nuestros encuentros me decía que quizás fuera para nosotros el final del camino.... Resérvame un sitio pequeño en tu corazón. Por mi parte, te amo. Y siempre será así. Pero la vida no ha querido"
October 15, 2025
First read as a teenager in the 90’s, now rereading it as a woman in her 40s.
How times have changed can be derived from the fact that she calls herself old while in her fourties, with harsh words about her changing appearance.
How love is of all times and inexplicable, is proven by this brave and daring tale about a lovelife that doesn’t fit the mould.
‘Soms moet je anderen ontrouw kunnen zijn, om jezelf niet ontrouw te zijn.’
How times have changed can be derived from the fact that she calls herself old while in her fourties, with harsh words about her changing appearance.
How love is of all times and inexplicable, is proven by this brave and daring tale about a lovelife that doesn’t fit the mould.
‘Soms moet je anderen ontrouw kunnen zijn, om jezelf niet ontrouw te zijn.’
October 15, 2012
orig. 1988 Les vaisseaux du coeur
For a highly recommended book that was popular for a long time, I had expected something better.
Then again, if I could have read this in the original French, it might have struck me very differently.
Maybe I'm just too old to want to read about a passionate love affair that never ends. I guess the author tries to show change in both the main characters in the course of their lives, because of this ongoing affair. But somehow it didn't grab me.
For me it is mildly irritating, rather than thought provoking, that Groult keeps throwing in a sentence about life in general, some wise observation or supposedly deep insight. But these sentences seem to be to just be dropped in our laps with too little context.
Since I read the LATER book [Uit liefde voor het leven] FIRST, and this second, I kept seeing that the passionate affair in the later book is just a recap of the affair in this earlier book, with a few changes. I might have liked this book better if I had read it first.
This book does go into the class differences quite often -- he is a working-class fisherman and she is what? upper middle class at least? If I could read French, these discussions might have seemed more interesting or deeper. It is a potentially interesting aspect of this book that she keeps pointing out all the ways their difference in background shows up -- what sorts of conversations they have and on what topics, views on sex, marriage, and everything else, table manners, taste in clothes.
For a highly recommended book that was popular for a long time, I had expected something better.
Then again, if I could have read this in the original French, it might have struck me very differently.
Maybe I'm just too old to want to read about a passionate love affair that never ends. I guess the author tries to show change in both the main characters in the course of their lives, because of this ongoing affair. But somehow it didn't grab me.
For me it is mildly irritating, rather than thought provoking, that Groult keeps throwing in a sentence about life in general, some wise observation or supposedly deep insight. But these sentences seem to be to just be dropped in our laps with too little context.
Since I read the LATER book [Uit liefde voor het leven] FIRST, and this second, I kept seeing that the passionate affair in the later book is just a recap of the affair in this earlier book, with a few changes. I might have liked this book better if I had read it first.
This book does go into the class differences quite often -- he is a working-class fisherman and she is what? upper middle class at least? If I could read French, these discussions might have seemed more interesting or deeper. It is a potentially interesting aspect of this book that she keeps pointing out all the ways their difference in background shows up -- what sorts of conversations they have and on what topics, views on sex, marriage, and everything else, table manners, taste in clothes.
February 7, 2015
At first, reading this I was happily reminiscing feeling the way the main character felt and how I had someone I was unbearably attracted to once, but the pages went by and the book started to torture me with all the happiness they had being able to express their love and just living it, even in the circumstances they did it, which I didn’t have and probably never will.It made me think about adultery, is it justifiable if you know you could never have a true life with the person you love, and also about aging, I am only 20 and one day life will be gone from me, which is both relieving and frightful, it hurts to know I am not going to leave this life fully satisfied. This whole book awakened pain in me that I wasn’t aware existed.
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