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knittyreader's review against another edition
5.0
This is such a wonderful, strong story!
While reading, I felt Na's emotions with her. The impatience, the sadness, the anger about all those things that were not fair, even the pressure to do as her parents say felt tangible even when I do not have the same experience. This story gave a little insight in what life for girls like Na can look like, and I am very grateful that I got the chance to gain this insight.
I received a free copy through Netgalley, my opinions are my own.
While reading, I felt Na's emotions with her. The impatience, the sadness, the anger about all those things that were not fair, even the pressure to do as her parents say felt tangible even when I do not have the same experience. This story gave a little insight in what life for girls like Na can look like, and I am very grateful that I got the chance to gain this insight.
I received a free copy through Netgalley, my opinions are my own.
theblondebird's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Child death, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Suicide and Vomit
Minor: Classism, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, and Physical abuse
nedge's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
authorisasauthordoes's review against another edition
Nothing wrong with this book, just didn't capture my attention enough to warrant continuing. I've got many more books on my side table to dive into.
libraryjen's review against another edition
4.0
Na is the oldest child from a poor family in China. Her parents dote over her younger brother Bao-bao and focus all their money/attention/efforts/hopes on getting him into a good college so he can "become an engineer, buy a house, buy a car, and then take care of them in their old age." No feels overlooked, unloved, and resentful of Bao-bao's opportunities, especially since she is the better and more committed student. Na was basically raised by her grandmother in the countryside while her parents work in the city to support her brother, whom they brought to live with them to attend a private middle and high school there. When Na gets word that her brother is dead, she goes to the city to be with her parents.
As the circumstances of his death unfold, Na realizes the shame her family will endure because of his suicide. She is also forced to quit school (vocational tech training) to come work with her parents in the city to meet their expenses. When Na meets a friend of Bao-bao that her parents don't know about, she learns some disturbing things about her brother that she cannot explain. As she searches for a way to mesh her personal desires and goals with the needs of her parents and the expectations of her family, Na also begins to unravel the secrets of her brother's life.
Told with straightforward clarity, this book is an easy, entertaining read that will break your heart. The glimpse Liu provides into life in modern China is fascinating and frustrating at the same time. I not only liked Na, I sympathized with her and rooted for her. The side characters were fleshed out and felt real (as real as side characters can in a short book). All in all, an enjoyable and pleasant read, despite the grief inherent in the story line. I definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in Chinese culture and all fans of YA literature in general.
Disclaimer: I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
As the circumstances of his death unfold, Na realizes the shame her family will endure because of his suicide. She is also forced to quit school (vocational tech training) to come work with her parents in the city to meet their expenses. When Na meets a friend of Bao-bao that her parents don't know about, she learns some disturbing things about her brother that she cannot explain. As she searches for a way to mesh her personal desires and goals with the needs of her parents and the expectations of her family, Na also begins to unravel the secrets of her brother's life.
Told with straightforward clarity, this book is an easy, entertaining read that will break your heart. The glimpse Liu provides into life in modern China is fascinating and frustrating at the same time. I not only liked Na, I sympathized with her and rooted for her. The side characters were fleshed out and felt real (as real as side characters can in a short book). All in all, an enjoyable and pleasant read, despite the grief inherent in the story line. I definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in Chinese culture and all fans of YA literature in general.
Disclaimer: I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
mara_q's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
aisyhreadly's review against another edition
2.0
I have high expectation on thisbon because of the synopsis. I can tell the synopsis is hooking everyone but nah... I felt betrayed.
The plot is quite slow, even though the main problem is introduce in the first page. Bao Bao's death and her parents grief and stuff. But the thing is, the story didn't tell about Bao Bao ( which I expect so much ) but it is more focused on Na and her parents. How they are not doing so well after losing their beloved son and the father getting a bit insane. Well, that just showing too much. I want to know more about Bao Bao, how's he is like, what happened to him before, what had he been through. But I didn't get it.
The storyline is just too plain. It's all about Na helping her parents to live a better life. Which I see that not a big deal, and how Na wants to learn more about her brother and didn't make much effort on it, and that's that. Honestly, I don't see any clear conflict that excites me to turn the page. I just read through and hoping for anything unique to happen.
Well at least, I learned how Asian parents really want their children to succeed in the academic really really much. So much pressure and that can lead to serious mental illness. That's the reality.
Rating : 2/5
The plot is quite slow, even though the main problem is introduce in the first page. Bao Bao's death and her parents grief and stuff. But the thing is, the story didn't tell about Bao Bao ( which I expect so much ) but it is more focused on Na and her parents. How they are not doing so well after losing their beloved son and the father getting a bit insane. Well, that just showing too much. I want to know more about Bao Bao, how's he is like, what happened to him before, what had he been through. But I didn't get it.
The storyline is just too plain. It's all about Na helping her parents to live a better life. Which I see that not a big deal, and how Na wants to learn more about her brother and didn't make much effort on it, and that's that. Honestly, I don't see any clear conflict that excites me to turn the page. I just read through and hoping for anything unique to happen.
Well at least, I learned how Asian parents really want their children to succeed in the academic really really much. So much pressure and that can lead to serious mental illness. That's the reality.
Rating : 2/5
tbhonest_uk's review against another edition
5.0
Like Spilled Water is an honest and unflinching story about the family, tradition and discovering who you are, rather than what your family thinks you are. An absorbing and thought provoking read.
kisahofswords13's review against another edition
4.0
This is amazing but a hard read. Deals with really dark themes.
CW: loss of a family member, suicide, alcoholism, grief, misogyny, extreme familial pressure, homophobia, accidental manslaughter
CW: loss of a family member, suicide, alcoholism, grief, misogyny, extreme familial pressure, homophobia, accidental manslaughter