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hannahsbookhaven's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
woweewhoa's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, and Sexism
Moderate: Infidelity, Suicide, and Medical content
Minor: Sexual content and Pregnancy
sarahmcgurren13's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the story but I didn't feel a strong connection to any of the characters. It was also very literary, which is not a style of writing that I typically enjoy. I feel like I could have gotten a lot more out of the book with a different writing style.
chelseaabu1's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
agostonc's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
emmabeckman's review against another edition
4.0
So this wasn’t a new five star favorite for me, but it’s still one that I will absolutely recommend to anyone who hasn’t read it yet. Celeste Ng is really the MASTER of omniscient narration and it’s so enjoyable to read. You learn so much about each character and their internal thoughts, but there’s still a layer of separation between the character and the reader.
erinbryce429's review against another edition
5.0
Beautiful for her character development and writing style. This book broke my heart at every turn and had me thinking a lot about being human.
bigfoottruther's review against another edition
5.0
It's hard for me to find ways to critique this book. All I can think of are compliments.
First of all, the way Celeste Ng is able to skip to different points in the timeline is masterful. You never get lost or confused. And everything in this book as reasoning. Things may seem unexplained or unrelated to the book at the first point when they are mentioned, but Ng manages to tie in everything in some way or another, astounding me. The vernacular in here is beautiful. Her descriptions and imagery are captivating and immersive. The characters are flawed and real, an important element to a story. You begin to feel as though you are a part of Lee family; you know them inside and out, how they behave, what they feel, and why they live the way that you live. It is a family that you can see your own family as. That is to say that all the characters that Ng has created are real yet lovable and interesting.
And so is the story. It may be contemporary, which tends to fall flat when it comes to getting readers hooked, as it does not have much action, you will never want to put this book down. The story is about normal people living normal lives, but it is far from a normal book. Whether Ng is talking about a mother making breakfast, a father driving, or children listening to music, you are instantly drawn into her world. The story is new and unique, a refreshing read. That is what keeps you interested.
You just need to read this book, honestly.
First of all, the way Celeste Ng is able to skip to different points in the timeline is masterful. You never get lost or confused. And everything in this book as reasoning. Things may seem unexplained or unrelated to the book at the first point when they are mentioned, but Ng manages to tie in everything in some way or another, astounding me. The vernacular in here is beautiful. Her descriptions and imagery are captivating and immersive. The characters are flawed and real, an important element to a story. You begin to feel as though you are a part of Lee family; you know them inside and out, how they behave, what they feel, and why they live the way that you live. It is a family that you can see your own family as. That is to say that all the characters that Ng has created are real yet lovable and interesting.
And so is the story. It may be contemporary, which tends to fall flat when it comes to getting readers hooked, as it does not have much action, you will never want to put this book down. The story is about normal people living normal lives, but it is far from a normal book. Whether Ng is talking about a mother making breakfast, a father driving, or children listening to music, you are instantly drawn into her world. The story is new and unique, a refreshing read. That is what keeps you interested.
You just need to read this book, honestly.