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J'ai totalement dévoré ce texte, à tel point que j'ai oublié le rendez-vous !

J'ai totalement dévoré ce texte, à tel point que j'ai oublié le rendez-vous !
I totally devoured this text, to such an extent that I forgot the appointment!
From Lesson 331:Extreme consequence (au point que)·French

Questions & Answers about J'ai totalement dévoré ce texte, à tel point que j'ai oublié le rendez-vous !

Why does à tel point que take the indicative (j'ai oublié) instead of the subjunctive?
Phrases ending in que often trigger the subjunctive, but à tel point que (and au point que) express a real, factual consequence. Because the result actually happened (you really forgot the appointment), you use the indicative mood.
Could I use au point que here instead of à tel point que?
Yes, they are very similar. Au point que means 'to the point that,' while à tel point que adds a bit more emphasis, meaning 'to such an extent that' or 'so much so that.' Both take the indicative and are perfect for showing a strong consequence.
Why is the adverb totalement placed right in the middle of the verb (J'ai totalement dévoré) instead of after it?
In compound tenses like the passé composé, short or common adverbs of quantity and quality (like totalement, vraiment, bien) are typically placed between the conjugated auxiliary verb (ai) and the past participle (dévoré).
Is dévorer commonly used for reading, or is this a special literary metaphor?
It is a very common, everyday idiom! Just like in English, dévorer un livre (to devour a book) means to read it eagerly and quickly. It sounds perfectly natural in casual speech.

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