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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
frozengogurts's review against another edition
4.0
i think these types of books are my favorite: wandering protagonists that showcase glimpses of others’ lives whilst avoiding the urge to shove an obvious agenda down the readers’ throats.
the choice to just show us these glimpses of the human experience and allow us to take what we need away from them is much more rewarding to all involved.
a cute, simple read :)
the choice to just show us these glimpses of the human experience and allow us to take what we need away from them is much more rewarding to all involved.
a cute, simple read :)
miry97's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
readersaurusrobin's review against another edition
4.0
Yu Hua has written an inventive and contemplative look at the afterlife. Our main character is a young-middle-aged man who has recently died; initially, he is not quite sure what has happened to him. In the first seven days following his death he visits important places and people from his life story, finding a measure of resolution.
It took me a little while to get into this story - I was confused along with Yang Fei, and it took time for me to get used to Hua's style and the pacing of the book. In the end, though, I appreciated this window into modern Chinese life -- rich business people, underground squatters, small entrepreneurs trying to get ahead in the face of government kickbacks, and hard working civil servants looking for meaning in their daily lives. It made me want to learn much more about China, to piece out what was real and what was Hua's invention. From The Seventh Day, it seems like a cold and unforgiving society.
The good news is that all are comfortable, beautiful, loved, and part of the community in the afterlife. In the place Yang Fei goes, all have food, all have comfort. It's the fulfillment of the communist ideal. Additionally, as long as you have not yet been cremated, there is the possibility of reuniting with loved ones.
I highly recommend The Seventh Day to readers who don't mind a bit of a learning curve and are interested in experiencing a taste of another world.
It took me a little while to get into this story - I was confused along with Yang Fei, and it took time for me to get used to Hua's style and the pacing of the book. In the end, though, I appreciated this window into modern Chinese life -- rich business people, underground squatters, small entrepreneurs trying to get ahead in the face of government kickbacks, and hard working civil servants looking for meaning in their daily lives. It made me want to learn much more about China, to piece out what was real and what was Hua's invention. From The Seventh Day, it seems like a cold and unforgiving society.
The good news is that all are comfortable, beautiful, loved, and part of the community in the afterlife. In the place Yang Fei goes, all have food, all have comfort. It's the fulfillment of the communist ideal. Additionally, as long as you have not yet been cremated, there is the possibility of reuniting with loved ones.
I highly recommend The Seventh Day to readers who don't mind a bit of a learning curve and are interested in experiencing a taste of another world.
jujudepamplemousse's review against another edition
5.0
This was good ! The premise is so really interesting and unusual. This short fiction book packed lots of commentaries on Chinese society through a series of absurd situations experienced through the main character, Yang Fei. Situations which actually reflect on real events that happened in the daily lives of Chinese people around the time the novel was written. The construction of the novel was beautiful done; the author nicely intertwined several characters story into the main story. All stories were definitely touching in a broad way with emotions ranging from anger, pain and sadness to love and happiness. To top it all, the translator did a wonderful job. I can only recommend.
nooneyouknow's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars. The writing feels relatively simple with the occasional interesting turns of phrase, but the overall effect for me was just too flat and detached. The good man narrator guides the story through a criticism of the human price of China's capitalistic drive toward progress and through some hope for an afterlife marked by equality, but in the end, I just didn't engage with this one.
mrtvavrana's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
ghostyolk's review against another edition
3.0
there were some really heartwarming moments in this book, and i appreciated all of the different perspectives - i felt that the focus was lost towards the end of the book and that the reunion between the main character and the dad fell a little flat which was disappointing. the relationships between the characters in this story were so rich which i loved to read about and feel my chest swell!!! i enjoyed reading this and i think the idea is really captivating