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Book Review of The Lover

The Lover
reviewed on


This was the second book I have read by Duras, the first being The North China Lover, and I don't think I will be seeking out any more of this author's work. Good thing the book was short or I wouldn't have planned on finishing it! The movie was MUCH better. :)

I thought this book was too vague and I was very detached from the story through most of it.

I was more interested in reading about the narrator's relationship with her mother than in the actual affair with the Chinaman himself. I was very disappointed in how the author just seemed to "skip" over the Girl and the Chinaman's budding relationship after they met. I didn't like how the story went straight from their car ride together leaving the ferry to in his bedroom. It was too abrupt for me.

I also enjoyed reading about how the Girl became the slut of the village. Call me twisted, but for some reason it entertained me.