Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Histoire aux yeux pales

Rate this book
Etudie les mystères d'une relation mère-fille, une relation à l'emprise si puissante que la fille, une fois adulte, est obligée d'imiter l'existence de sa mère. Ne cessant de retourner en rêve comme en imagination dans les chambres closes de sa propre enfance et de celles de sa mère, l'héroïne comprend progressivement l'immense souffrance autrefois perçue chez sa mère...

Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

2 people are currently reading
91 people want to read

About the author

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
18 (15%)
4 stars
30 (25%)
3 stars
40 (34%)
2 stars
20 (17%)
1 star
8 (6%)
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Profile Image for Anastasia.
11 reviews
October 8, 2012
Ms. Gunn is the master of description and mood. While I read this book twice just for the sheer pleasure of the atmosphere and the darkness described in fantasical detail, I still am not sure in certain sections where it's the past or the present.

I believe the girl goes through the same experience as her mother, but if this is so, there is a huge question about incest. I found I could never quite catch if that was what happened....there is an elusiveness in this book. I might have to read it a third time.

This is very dark and creepy. It is full of extreme abuse and the reader can only wonder where the author came up with it all.

This book pulls you in to a life and the life of the main character's mother that is wrought with sadness. It is original and not for the queasy or those who think reading this might stain your morality.

All ends well. Morality comes back and triumphs.
Profile Image for Pauline.
112 reviews
April 7, 2024
C'est une histoire racontée du point de vue d'une fille, qui malgré elle tombe à son tour dans la drogue comme sa mère auparavant et va voir le même homme, qui est aussi son père. L'autrice décrit les interdits moraux avec une légèreté déconcertante, ça dérange, c'est réussi.
Profile Image for Darchelle.
464 reviews45 followers
September 29, 2016
I couldn't finish this. :( I wanted to like it so bad, but this style of writing is not for me. I read the first 5 chapters, but I wanted to pull my hair out. The story is good, but the way she wrote it drove me nuts. All of the grammatical errors, run on sentences, short sentences, random thoughts. Couldn't do it!
3 reviews1 follower
November 11, 2010
Kirsty Gunn´s talent is in her descriptions, and this book is full of beautiful dream-like images. The first pages are delightful, and Gunn describes a cafe in such detail that I felt drawn into it. However, as the book continues, the beauty morphs into twisted tales of drugs, abuse and gender-violence. She continues with this descriptive style and I found myself wondering if I really appreciated such detail when it entails live-disections, etc. The book takes on quite a spooky quality as she writes in a very detached 1st person.

It seems a bit of a shame, as I feel that her book could have still been a success even if she had not chosen themes that the average person might find a bit too twisted to stomach. That being said, those looking for something quite dark might really enjoy this book.
Profile Image for Sophie.
165 reviews1 follower
January 18, 2013
This was a 2.5 I think. Beautifully written but creepy and depressing.
Profile Image for Kim BookJunkie ~ Editor & Proofreader.
2,138 reviews55 followers
January 21, 2013
Not at all my style! Please someone remind me if I ever try to read another book that is, "poetic and lyrical". Such a waste of time waiting to try to figure out what the author is saying.
Profile Image for Shannon.
32 reviews
June 10, 2013
Wow...very dark. Amazing how she can use such beautiful poetic words to tell such a horrific story.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.