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DELF A2 reading practice: understand a mixed book review

Edited by Chris Lee · Updated · About the library

Read Nora’s review of Le Banc bleu, then answer five questions about praise, a slow beginning and who might enjoy the book. Glosses and translation included.

In short

A mixed review can praise the dialogue and criticise the opening, then recommend the book to a particular kind of reader. Look for j’ai aimé, en revanche and je recommande… aux lecteurs qui… to follow those three moves.

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Words from the book and its review

Un avis de lectrice

Le Banc bleu : l’avis de Nora

Je viens de finir1 Le Banc bleu. L’histoire suit une famille qui quitte la ville pour vivre dans un petit village. J’ai aimé les dialogues parce que les personnages parlent de façon naturelle.

En revanche2, j’ai trouvé le début un peu lent3. Après les premières pages, j’avais envie de connaître la suite4. J’ai surtout aimé les conversations entre la mère et sa fille : elles m’ont souvent fait sourire.

Je recommande ce livre aux lecteurs qui aiment les histoires de famille, mais pas à ceux qui cherchent beaucoup d’action. Pour moi, c’est un bon livre à lire tranquillement le week-end.

Nora

Read it in English

I have just finished Le Banc bleu (The Blue Bench). The story follows a family who leave the city to live in a small village. I liked the dialogue because the characters speak naturally.

However, I found the beginning a little slow. After the opening pages, I wanted to know what happened next. I especially liked the conversations between the mother and her daughter: they often made me smile.

I recommend this book to readers who like family stories, but not to those looking for lots of action. For me, it is a good book to read quietly at the weekend.

Nora

How do French reviews give a mixed opinion?

How Nora builds her view
FrenchWhat the phrase does
J’ai aimé les dialogues.Names a positive reaction.
En revanche…Introduces a contrasting point.
J’ai trouvé le début un peu lent.Gives her view of one part of the book.
Je recommande ce livre aux lecteurs qui…Names the readers she has in mind.

J’ai aimé les personnages, mais j’ai trouvé la fin un peu courte.

I liked the characters, but I found the ending a little short.

Five questions about the review

Question 1No account needed
What happens in the story?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

A family leaves the city for a village.. The opening says une famille qui quitte la ville pour vivre dans un petit village.

Question 2No account needed
Why does Nora like the dialogue?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

The characters speak naturally.. Nora gives the reason with parce que les personnages parlent de façon naturelle.

Question 3No account needed
Which part does she find a little slow?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

The beginning.. Le début limits this criticism to the opening of the book.

Question 4No account needed
Does she want to continue after the opening pages?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Yes, she wants to know what comes next.. J’avais envie de connaître la suite describes her interest in continuing.

Question 5No account needed
Who is the book recommended to?

Choose one answer.

Answer and explanation

Readers who enjoy family stories.. The recommendation is for les lecteurs qui aiment les histoires de famille.

Try a two-sentence review of a book you know. In the first sentence, name something you liked and give a reason with parce que. In the second, name the reader who might enjoy it. Add en revanche if you want to include one reservation.

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