24 pages • 48 minutes read
The Lover
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Book Brief
117
Novel • Fiction
French Indochina • 1920s
1984
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Lover by Marguerite Duras is a semi-autobiographical novel set in French-colonial Vietnam, where a young girl from a poor French family begins a complex affair with a wealthy, older Chinese man. Through their clandestine relationship, the novel explores themes of colonialism, poverty, and femininity, culminating in the girl's departure for France and the enduring, melancholic impact of their relationship. The novel addresses sensitive topics such as abusive family dynamics and underage sexual relationships.
Melancholic
Bittersweet
Romantic
Contemplative
Nostalgic
Reviews & Readership
60,622 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Marguerite Duras' The Lover boasts poetic prose that vividly captures emotions and atmosphere, earning praise for its lyrical style and deep introspection on love and identity. However, some find the narrative fragmented and the characters underdeveloped, making engagement difficult. It's celebrated more for its evocative language than its plot structure.
Who Should Read The Lover?
Readers who savor introspective and evocative narratives will enjoy The Lover by Marguerite Duras. This novel appeals to fans of The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje and Bonjour Tristesse by Françoise Sagan, with its profound exploration of memory, identity, and forbidden romance set against a colonial backdrop.
60,622 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
The Narrator’s Mother
The Narrator’s Mother
A dedicated headmistress with a complex nature who prioritizes her daughter’s education and the family’s reputation despite personal struggles.
The Narrator’s Elder Brother
The Narrator’s Elder Brother
A controlling and abusive figure within the family who struggles with financial independence and substance abuse.
The Lover
The Lover
A wealthy and generous man in Saigon, deeply in love with the narrator despite societal constraints and family expectations.
117
Novel • Fiction
French Indochina • 1920s
1984
Adult
18+ years
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