Reviews

August Blue by Deborah Levy

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hannavd's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

readingrara's review against another edition

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reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

One of those books where nothing happens and yet you comfortably sit in for the ride.

shimmery's review against another edition

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5.0

August Blue is the story of Elsa, a famous pianist who is on the verge of a breakdown after she walks off stage at a concert. After the incident, spending time in Greece, she sees a kind of doppelgänger of herself in the street and becomes obsessed with this woman, who resurfaces elsewhere.

I loved this, Levy’s writing is always so beautiful and here given that the protagonist is a musician the form seems to have the quality of a musical composition, with refrains of grief and longing coming and going throughout. I liked how the double, who the reader can never be sure actually exists, allows Levy to create a portrait of the main character’s inner world as she projects onto this figure she loads with her own significance. Very intriguing, subtle and aesthetically pleasing.