The Counterfeiters
The Counterfeiters
Book Brief
Beta451
Novel • Fiction
Paris, France • 1920s
1973
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Counterfeiters by André Gide explores the intertwined lives of several individuals in early 20th-century France. Through their experiences, it delves into themes of identity, morality, and truth. The novel examines the complexities of human relationships, the nature of art, and personal authenticity, all while intertwining a story within a story.
Mysterious
Challenging
Contemplative
Informative
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
9,969 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Counterfeiters by André Gide is celebrated for its innovative narrative structure and exploration of authenticity and moral ambiguity. Critics praise its intricate plotting and psychological depth. However, some find its complexity challenging and its characters less relatable. The novel remains a seminal work for its pioneering approach and thematic richness.
Who Should Read The Counterfeiters?
A reader fond of intricate narratives and philosophical themes, like those in Proust's In Search of Lost Time, will relish The Counterfeiters by André Gide. They appreciate explorations of identity and authenticity, as well as metafictional elements similar to those found in Pirandello's Six Characters in Search of an Author.
9,969 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
The Counterfeiters is notable for its metafictional approach, as it features a novel-within-a-novel structure where one of the characters is writing a book that shares the same title.
André Gide considered The Counterfeiters to be his most important novel, as it was the first time he used a more complex narrative technique involving multiple perspectives and storylines.
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The novel was published in 1925 and is often praised for its exploration of themes such as the nature of reality and the fluidity of identity.
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451
Novel • Fiction
Paris, France • 1920s
1973
Adult
18+ years
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