Le grand cahier
Le grand cahier
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1986
Book Brief
Beta184
Novel • Fiction
Hungary • 1940s
1986
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Le grand cahier by Ágota Kristóf follows two brothers sent to live with their grandmother during wartime. The siblings document their harsh experiences and survival strategies in a notebook, revealing the brutal realities of their environment. Their story explores themes of innocence, resilience, and the impact of war on individuals.
Dark
Unnerving
Gritty
Mysterious
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
14,757 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Le grand cahier by Ágota Kristóf is widely praised for its stark, minimalist prose and its unsettling exploration of war's impact on innocence. Reviewers commend its raw intensity and psychological depth. However, some criticize its bleakness and emotional detachment, which may not appeal to all readers. Overall, it's seen as a powerful narrative that challenges and engages.
Who Should Read Le grand cahier?
A reader who appreciates stark, minimalist prose and themes of war, survival, and the human condition would enjoy Ágota Kristóf's Le grand cahier. Fans of George Orwell's 1984 and J.M. Coetzee's Waiting for the Barbarians would likely be drawn to the novel's haunting portrayal of moral ambiguity and resilience.
14,757 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
184
Novel • Fiction
Hungary • 1940s
1986
Adult
18+ years
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