BOOK BRIEF

The Holy Terrors

Jean Cocteau
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The Holy Terrors

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1966

Book Brief

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Jean Cocteau

The Holy Terrors

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1966
Book Details
Pages

192

Format

Novel • Fiction

Genre
Classic Fiction

French Literature
Setting

Paris, France • 1920s

Topic
LGBTQ+

World History
Publication Year

1966

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Holy Terrors, by Jean Cocteau, explores the intense bond between siblings Paul and Elisabeth, who are navigating adolescence in post-World War I France. As their relationship grows increasingly complex, the siblings create a secretive world that challenges societal norms. Their story highlights themes of obsession and the blurred lines between reality and imagination.

Mysterious

Contemplative

Bittersweet

Fantastical

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

4.1

7,716 ratings

60%

Loved it

29%

Mixed feelings

11%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Jean Cocteau's The Holy Terrors receives praise for its poetic prose and exploration of youth's intensity and complexities. Critics admire the novel's blending of surrealism with emotional depth. However, some feel its plot meanders, detracting from the narrative. Overall, it is lauded for its artistic style, though its structure may challenge some readers.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Holy Terrors?

Readers who enjoy The Holy Terrors by Jean Cocteau are likely drawn to introspective, character-driven narratives with poetic prose. Fans of The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger and A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce will appreciate its exploration of adolescence and artistic identity.

4.1

7,716 ratings

60%

Loved it

29%

Mixed feelings

11%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

192

Format

Novel • Fiction

Genre
Classic Fiction

French Literature
Setting

Paris, France • 1920s

Topic
LGBTQ+

World History
Publication Year

1966

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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